Sharing Lodge helps those who want to help themselves
Terry Halifax
Northern News Services
Hay River (Nov 13/00) - A program on the Hay River Reserve helps people recently out of treatment to adjust to a new life without drugs and alcohol.
Schedule of events Tuesday -11:00 a.m. Sober walk from Chief Sunrise school to treatment centre -1:00 p.m. Radio talk show at band office Wednesday -1:00 p.m. Health information fair at complex -7:00 p.m. Volleyball tournament Thursday -1:00 p.m. Day workshop at Sharing Lodge -7:00 p.m. Crib tournament at treatment centre Friday -10:00 a.m. Fun morning for youth at community gym -1:00p.m. Staff fun day at complex Saturday -6:00 p.m. Pot luck supper complex -Family sober dance
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"We do one-to-one counselling through an out-patient program," she said. "It's an after-care counselling program and try to help people to them help themselves."
"We can't go chasing them around -- it's up to them."
In addition to the individual counselling, the program also works with the community on wellness programs through the school and women's centre promoting the family life cycle.
"It's directed towards human development in a traditional family," she said.
"It helps us to understand why we are the way we are, and what we need to do to begin healing as a Dene person."
"When you are raised up in a healthy home, it tells you who you are, as a person," she said.
While many parents have struggled through growing up in abusive environments through residential schools and alcoholic families, Fabian said the cycle can be broken with the new generation, with proper guidance.
"A young person is a young spirit and a young spirit will wander; it's impressionable," she said. "You have to be really careful of how you deal with that young person, because what you do will have an impression on that young spirit."
She said she's learned from community elders who speak of the soft spot on the baby's head and how when that spot firms, so too does the knowledge gained in those years.
"What ever you learn during those years will stay with you the rest of your life," she said.
"Up until they are eight-years-old, you have to really teach them the healthy way because that's what they'll become."
The life cycle also teaches about the relationship each individual has on those around them and taking responsibility for one's actions.
"It's a helpful tool for those who want to get healthy, but don't know where to start," Fabian said.
"It's about commitment and taking a look at one's behaviours and attitudes and how it affects others."
The lodge also offers nutrition programs to provide healthy foods for families and a healthy environment for the unit.
"It's important that the little ones, mom and dad can all work together -- it doesn't have to be one person doing it all the time," she said.
"It's all about the family doing things together and not mom doing everything all the time."
