Fort Providence (Mar 10/06) - Tina Marie Gargan is comfortable with openly admitting she's battled with alcoholism.

Gargan started experimenting with alcohol when she was 11 and drank actively until she was 29.

Tina Marie Gargan of Fort Providence was honoured with the Wise Woman award in Yellowknife on March 8. She battled alcoholism for 18 years, from the age of 11 until she was 29. She now volunteers in her community and helps others whenever she can. - NNSL file photo

The turning point, said Gargan, came when friends found her choking on her own vomit.

Today, Gargan uses her experiences to help others in her role as a community wellness worker.

She was named the 2006 Wise Woman award recipient for the Deh Cho by the Status of Women Council of the NWT.

"I was very touched and honoured that my nominators and my community look up to me that way," she said.

It's been a long journey for Gargan to reach this point. Without realizing what she was doing, Gargan said she started to mentally prepare herself to stop drinking.

Using a calender, she highlighted the days she didn't get drunk. At first there were only a few days, but each month became more colourful, said Gargan.

"I guess that's what slowly brought me to the decision of going to treatment," she said.

Gargan spent 35 days at the Nats'ejee K'eh treatment centre on the Hay River Reserve.

Driving back to Fort Providence, she remembers shaking with fear because she wasn't sure what she was coming back to. She was reminded that although she had changed, the community hadn't.

"I wasn't sure I had the strength to maintain sobriety," she said.

She ended up spending two years in Yellowknife taking educational courses until she felt strong enough to return to the community.

In addition to her work as a wellness worker, Gargan opens her home to people in the community.

Children come over to play with her son and she feeds them, knowing that their families might be drinking.

She also encourages community members to phone her at home if they need to get away from a difficult situation.

Gargan also volunteers for a number of organizations and causes.

She was raised in Fort Providence by her elderly grandparents Johnny and Marie T. Gargan. She credits them for instilling her with her language and values.

Today she considers herself to be traditionally spiritual.

She smudges and drums with her son Rogan, whom she credits for inspiring her and teaching her patience.

Gargan encourages people to believe in themselves and the Creator.

"No matter how tough things can get, there is hope out there and people out there who care," she said.