Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 21/05) - With addictions of all sorts affecting the territories - and the spectre of the proposed pipeline threatening to increase the problem exponentially - National Addictions Awareness Week, Nov. 20-26, is an increasingly important time for drug-and-alcohol workers to reach out to residents and help the healing begin.

Again one of the busiest places during the week will be at the heart of the Sahtu in Norman Wells.

Sandra Guzzwell, co-ordinator of the Breaking Down the Barriers and Community Justice organizations, said Norman Wells will get things started with a pancake breakfast at the Canol Branch of the Legion.

During the week there will be a colouring contest for kids in Kindergarten-Grade 4, a Reach for the Top trivia game for Grades 5-6, several fetal alcohol spectrum disorder presentations to students and the community, talks with elders, a day dedicated to alerting students to the dangers of impaired driving, a community feast, fireworks, a dance and a talk with representatives from the Mackenzie Gas Project about the dangers of addictions.

"We're going to have our family fun night again," she said. "It's a penny carnival with lots of prizes and last year about 375 people came out for it."

Other events and exact times and locations were still being finalized at press time.

Elsewhere around the territories, there are all sorts of events slated to take place. Here's a sample of some of what you can expect to see.

Tetlit Zheh/Fort McPherson

Beatrice Blake said last year was very a successful Addictions Awareness Week in Fort McPherson.

"We held a loche derby, which brought out many families," said Blake.

New movies were shown in the community hall for the youth and refreshments served. The biggest event of the year was the community talent show, which had a great turn-out.

"It was a very fun time for everyone involved," said Blake.

Among other activities, a community-wide scavenger hunt was also held to promote teamwork.

Planning for this year was still happening as of press time.

Tsiigehtchic/Arctic Red River

Shiela Curran from the learning centre said that a poster challenge will be held, like last year.

"The posters we had received last year were very well made," she said.

Again this year the posters will deal with addictions and ways people can live without them.

Week night activities for the youth are also planned, with more planning scheduled.

Tuktoyaktuk

A 1950s swing dance is planned for the youth of Tuktoyaktuk, said co-ordinator Jenny Jacobson.

The dance will be only a small part of the activities, as drug and alcohol presentations will also be made in the school.

"The presentations are planned to slow down drug use in our community," said Jacobson.

Aklavik

No plans have were finalized in Aklavik, but Dean McLeod said the festivities would likely be like last year.

"We had a great time last year, and hope healthy living continues this year as well," he said.

All week, activities for the youth were held in the arena complex.

The youngsters were able to have crib tournaments, play games and watch movies. There was also a dedicated night for family games.

McLeod is looking forward to this year's events, and said planning will happen soon.

Uluqsaqtuuq/Holman

Mary Okheena took the reigns of co-ordinating the events in Holman last year and said planning for this year is still going on.

Okheena worked with the school to arrange presentations for the students and inform them about making safe and healthy choices.

Inuvik

Last year, there was an open house for the public here at the Midnight Sun complex.

There open house ran booths about smoking and drugs, while presentations were made to the youth by workers in the health field.

Louie Goose played some live music, and although it was very entertaining, participation was low.

Yoenne Ewald of the Inuvik Interagency committee commented that this year would be bigger.

"There are ideas of having a dry-dance for the younger people, with young local bands playing," said Ewald.

Elder storytelling is also planned to take place, and is designed to promote healthier living.

Although things have been slated for this year, there is still much planning to be done.

Kahbamiue/Colville Lake

At Colville Lake school principal Jo-Ellen Lyslo expects the events will be similar to last year.

"We usually show the students videos about the dangers of alcohol and drugs," she said. "We'll also have community members come in and speak to them about their own experiences.

Deline/Fort Franklin

Plans are still coming together in Deline, but community wellness worker Donald Yukon said the festivities would bring together many levels of government and health organizations.

"We'll have all sorts of events like a family fun night and a movie night," he said. "We try to show people healthy alternatives to addiction."

Behcho Ko/Rae-Edzo

There might be something new in store for the residents of Rae-Edzo for Addictions Awareness Week.

"We'll try to do something interesting for the people to get them involved," said Joe Beaverho, the project officer at the Tlicho Healing Path Wellness Centre.

Some of the usual events will be back, including a sober walk with the elementary and high school students during a noon hour. Last year, videos were also shown and there was a talk about addiction, he said.

Wekweti/Snare Lakes

Addictions Awareness Week will start with a walk around the community and a dinner for Wekweti residents.

"We are looking at getting in some entertainment," said Tony Rebesca, the director of language, culture and community for the Tlicho government.

Throughout the week there will be workshops with guest speakers and facilitators about drug and alcohol awareness and its effects on health.

Wha Ti/Lac La Martre

People in Wha Ti can probably look forward to the same great events as last year, said Curtis Grosco, a mental health counsellor at the wellness centre.

Events from last year included a family dance, a potluck supper, a karaoke night and a series of presentations by counsellors to students.

"We are trying to get a group from the community involved," said Grosco.

He hopes to gather a committee made of community members who will plan the events.

Gameti/Rae Lakes

Without a wellness worker the plans for Addictions Awareness week are still uncertain in Gameti.

Usually the worker plans a sober walk and a feast with entertainment, said Tony Rebesca the director of language, culture and community for the Tlicho government.

He said something similar would happen this year, as well as sessions on drug and alcohol addictions awareness with students and other community members.

Deninu Ku'e/Fort Resolution

A series of events are tentatively planned in Fort Resolution.

Dollie Simon, a community wellness worker with the Deninu Alcohol and Drug Program, says there will be an open house all week, from Nov. 20-26.

A Sobriety Walk followed by a Circle Gathering will be held Nov. 23. Simon says walkers will carry a banner reading "Keep the Circle Strong" in English and Chipewyan.

Throughout the week, people can sign pledge sheets for zero tolerance of alcohol and drug abuse. The week will end with a fiddle dance, she said.

Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson

In Fort Simpson, the annual sober walk, an event designed to create awareness, will be held. A lunch at Dehcho Hall will follow, according to Aaron McNab, executive director of the Deh Cho Friendship Centre.

There will also be activities specifically for men, women and children throughout the week, including workshops, he said.

Deh Cho Health and Social Services is planning a one-day workshop with students at Thomas Simpson school on Nov. 19, said Kathy Szirtes, regional clinical supervisor.

In recognition of National Addictions Awareness Week, all community bingos are cancelled.

Thebacha/Fort Smith

Several events are tentatively scheduled in Fort Smith to observe National Addictions Awareness Week.

Una Simon, a community wellness worker, said everyone is welcome to participate.

The tentative agenda includes a stew and bannock lunch, an open house at the Wellness Program of the Department of Health and Social Services, a walk for sobriety, Alcohol Anonymous meetings that are open to any members of the public and various presentations around the community.

Lutsel K'e/Snowdrift

A number of activities are expected in Lutsel K'e during the week.

"Mostly people are sharing their testimonials about sobriety and how they have changed," said Lawrence Catholique, a community wellness worker with the department of Health and Social Services.

Among the events are a community potluck, a dance, an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and a sharing circle.

Hay River/Hay River Reserve

The Town of Hay River and the Hay River Reserve join forces during National Addictions Awareness Week.

"We have a great team of dedicated volunteers from Hay River and the reserve who manage to pull off a great week each year," said Ferne Furrow, an addictions counsellor with the Community Counselling Services of the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority.

The tentative agenda features opening ceremonies on Nov. 20 at the Chief Lamalice complex on the reserve, a sober walk from Chief Sunrise school, an open house at Nats'ejee K'eh Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centre with hot dogs and chocolate, presentations in schools, a sober house party at the Chief Lamalice complex, an elders' tea, a drum dance and much more.

Participants in the scavenger hunt even have a chance to win a trip for two to Yellowknife.

Somba K'e/Yellowknife

The Salvation Army and the Tree of Peace in Yellowknife are joining forces again for Addictions Awareness Week.

On Nov. 21 the Tree of Peace will be hosting the 11th annual sober walk.

"The size of the march will depend on the weather," said Diane Hrstic, an alcohol and drug program manager for the Tree of Peace. Last year almost 50 people attended.

Crack cocaine and crystal meth addiction will be the focus at the Salvation Army's efforts. An information table will be set up somewhere downtown, said David Harder, the Salvation Army's program director.