Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Hay River (Jan 07/02) - It's not exactly a sewing sweatshop. In fact it's a place where quality goods are made at a leisurely pace by hand, for hands.

Joanne Martel and Georgina Fabien show some mitts made in Hay River's sharing lodge. It combines addiction recovery and education in a warm atmosphere. - Dave Sullivan/NNSL photo

Mittens being made by eight or so participants in a unique treatment program will keep many hands toasty this winter.

Especially those of friends and relatives who are nice to them.

Making mitts is one of many activities that helps people like Joanne Martel steer away from addictions they've battled.

The craftwork is done in a small building that used to house a medical clinic on the Hay River reserve. It's been converted to a sharing lodge.

The lodge idea is the brainchild of Georgina Fabien. As a former counsellor at Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre, she decided an outpatient or drop-in type of place was needed to follow up the centre's more controlled, inpatient treatment style.

"People just come in, we don't choose anyone," she said.

Mittens stand out because they mean warmth, a sort of symbol of the lodge's atmosphere. Like the inviting bannock and aroma of stew often coming from the lodge's kitchen.

Her philosophy is that calling it an alcohol and drug program will cause people to turn away.

"This isn't just about addictions, but everything in life."

"We started off making mittens but we're helping people look at their culture and self-esteem."

There was even a visit to Hay River's small Francophone school, to see how French-speaking culture is nurtured from a young age.

Previous programs have had similar goals, but participant Debra Chambaud says the right mix has been found this time.

She says she likes the program a lot.

Retired principal Bruce Green drops in Mondays and Thursdays, to teach basic education.

Green and Fabien describe the education portion of the lodge's offerings as a stepping stone that combines learning with tradition.