Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Mar 10/00) - A wellness forum held in Fort Simpson last week offered advice in improving mental health and overall wellness through means such as "energizing the spirit" and ingesting herbs.

Ethel Lamothe, manager of community wellness for Deh Cho Health and Social Services, said mental health is an area that needs to be developed further.

An NWT health strategy, to be based on ideas from the regions, is being formed, Lamothe noted. Last week's forum was a preliminary step for the Deh Cho in devising its own strategy, she added.

Traditional healer Rufus Goodstriker, one of the guest speakers for the forum, mentioned the importance of retaining aboriginal methods of healing. With "smudge" burning and other paraphernalia in front of him such as sweet grass, sage, "grandfather" root or rat root, a pipe, buffalo tassels, eagle feathers and a coyote skin, he alluded to the power of prayer.

"We do a lot of praying. This has a lot of prayers," he said casting his hands over the herbs and animal parts. "When I put my hands in the smudge, that's just like a doctor putting his rubber gloves on, he's afraid to get your disease."

A former chief of a Blood tribe in southern Alberta, Goodstriker recounted how he learned many things from his grandfather and was taught about healing by a Cree elder.

He told of how "cleansing" rituals are necessary to help purify people to help them heal. Then animal spirits are called upon to aid in the process. Animals, he noted, eat plants and herbs to heal themselves.

"That's what your stomach is for, not your veins. God didn't invent the needle ... every plant out there is there for a reason," he said. "That is why we are very close to nature ... if we believe in the Creator and creation."

A diabetic, Goodstriker said he uses herbs to help control his blood sugar levels. Although he's not an advocate of western medical practices, such as needles and prescription drugs, he said he does not advise people to stop taking their pills. Instead, he suggested that people must believe in what they do. They must have determination and will power.

"A lot of your friends say, 'Just one drink (of alcohol) won't hurt you,'" he said. "That's where your willpower is strong ... you can say no in a very nice way. They can call you a yellow chicken, but that's their problem because you're trying to do something good for yourself."

Another key component to wellness is common sense, he said. He revealed that he only has a Grade 6 education, yet many formally educated people come to him for advice and healing, he noted.

"Is it magic? I'm just an ordinary person, but the medicine is there," he said.

Healing comes more readily for those who can laugh as humour is part of medicine, according to Goodstriker. Those who can share their problems or "hang-ups" are also on a road to recovery.

"If you hold on to them, you will get sick every day," he warned, and added that forgiveness is also essential.