Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

Wrigley (July 27/01) - What started as a spiritual gathering nine years ago has grown into an event that attracts people from across the North.

Former Pehdzeh Ki chief Tim Lennie started the spiritual gatherings in Wrigley nine years ago to help his community heal. - Dane Gibson/NNSL photo

The Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is hosting its ninth First Nations Gathering this weekend in Wrigley. Among the performers this year are the Saddle Lake Pow Wow Dancers, fiddler Cole Crook from Hay River, fiddler Normand Denis from Meander River, Alta., and John Landry and his Dene Band.

While the gathering is a way to bring people together, event co-ordinator Louise Beck says the message being delivered is that the road to a healthy community does not include alcohol or drugs.

She says the gathering is a time of celebration, fellowship, feasting, and drum dances.

"I feel it is important to have these gatherings to set an example of sobriety for our young people here," says Beck.

"They can see that we can have fun without alcohol and drugs. It provides a chance for the youth and children of our community to meet other young people and see them taking part in healthy traditional dancing and activities."

Former Pehdzeh Ki chief Tim Lennie started the spiritual gatherings in Wrigley, and he has watched them grow.

He says when the road to Wrigley was built in 1990, and the Deh Cho process towards self-government got under way, he knew change in the community would accelerate.

"If we are going to talk about leadership, we recognized that first our leaders had to be clean. When we started the gatherings, the purpose was to help our people help themselves," said Lennie.

"Once our community can help themselves, we will be able to help the rest of the region. Healing is a cycle and it's been difficult, but we are beginning to understand the effects of alcohol and drugs, and we are getting stronger because of that."

Lennie once had a problem with alcohol abuse, but he is clean and sober now. The once outspoken leader has taken time off from the political scene to reflect.

"Today, every community struggles with these issues. There is so much pressure out there that we have to be spiritually strong to overcome the struggles of the day," said Lennie.

"I'm finding this out along the way. Some people say why do we bother with the gathering, but I see a change in people and I see a change in myself since we started them. If we can glance back and remember where we came from, I see a lot of good things happening."

He is quick to point out that Wrigley's First Nation Gathering is as much about music, laughter, dancing and enjoying the company of friends and family as it is about discussing the effects of alcohol and drugs.

"We get everyone together to unite people and to share," said Lennie.

"To me, it makes us feel at ease. If you look at today, people aren't visiting as much and they don't come together as often.

Every year our gathering gets larger and larger. It tells me that people want to have fun. It's a place to come and relax, and a place to let go of all the dirt and things you've collected over the year. It's a place to be yourself."

The theme of this years gathering is Transition -- Time to Change. Besides the many artists and performers, Joe Tambour will be presenting a workshop on traditional healing, cultural values and beliefs.