Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Liard (Mar 12/04) - Irene McLeod admits she was consumed by sadness and anger when her daughter Lisa was killed in a vehicular accident several years ago.

"For a while I was hating the driver who drove that truck, but I turned that into something positive," she said. "So now I try to talk to moms and daughters ... Lisa and I were really close and that's what I want for these other moms and daughters."

McLeod took part in a grieving workshop in Fort Liard last week. Two counselors from Calgary led the three-day seminar, which drew as many as 25 people.

Unfortunately an elder from Fort Liard passed away while it was taking place. Social worker Mike Drake, who arranged the gathering along with community member Charlie Bertrand, said a second, similar seminar is tentatively planned for May.

"We were trying to figure what we could do to alleviate some of the problems and we thought this would be a good idea," he said.

DeeDee Hardisty, another participant, said she has been grieving a number of personal losses over the past 10 years. The seminar gave her a chance to reflect on some of her wounds she's still carrying.

"Sometimes we tend to think, 'Oh yeah, I dealt with that.' But then when you talk about it there are still these hurt feelings there," she said. "I found it (the workshop) helpful. I got in touch with my inner feelings, where I'm at and what I'm still grieving over."

That grieving isn't limited to mourning the death of a friend or relative, she said, it can also be triggered by losing a pet, a failed relationship or dismissal from a job.

Individuals can experience anger, depression, loneliness and other stages of grief as a result of such tribulations. Getting support from others can provide the boost people need to get over a hump, she said.

McLeod said people grieve in different ways for varying amounts of time. She still gets emotional when thinking of the void left by the loss of her daughter, especially on Mother's Day and Christmas. Although death brings sorrow, the departed person's life should also be celebrated, she said.

"We should be saying their names and thinking of all the memories we had with them while they were with us," she said.