Yellowknife (Sep 15/06) - Nearly 70 Yellowknifers stopped to ring their bells at 9:09 a.m., for one minute on Sept. 9.

The assembled crowd was walking down Franklin Avenue to raise awareness for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

The condition occurs when pregnant women consume alcohol, and can cause attention disorders and learning disabilities,.

According to event organizer Kathy Paul-Drover, the timing of the bell-ringing was symbolic.

"It is the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month. It signifies that it takes nine months to have a baby."

Yellowknife isn't the only place ringing bells, however.

"The bell concordance is done all over the world. We're just a small part of it."

Kevin Kennedy and his family were taking part in the walk that day, and he feels that it's important for communities to get involved.

"It reminds people that the way to prevent FASD is through community support. It isn't just an individual's problem, it's a community's."

There's a stigma about alcohol and alcoholism, organizers said.

Pregnant women will deny that they drink, something that could affect their kids, Paul-Drover said.

When a child that has been prenatally exposed to alcohol has a drink, they can become addicted, she said.

She feels there is no simple solution for FASD.

"There's many (solutions), which is why they need ongoing community support. There's always more that could be done."

Paul-Drover doesn't think one day for FASD awareness is enough, however.

"I wish that every day was FASD (awareness day), because every day kids are being born with FASD. There is a lack of awareness."