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Let go of those vices

Philippe Morin
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 27/06) - When Ruth Stuart started listing everything Aklavik was doing for National Addictions Awareness Week, it took a few minutes to get through the list.

First, there was a workshop where kids learned to draw comics. Then, an evening of traditional storytelling and theatre. Then, a talk by famous skiers Sharon and Shirley Firth about healthy food and positive attitudes.

NNSL Photo/graphic

Inuvik's Eddie Amagonalok shared stories of being sober 32 years at Inuvik's community feast. The event was one of many activities marking National Addictions Awareness Week, which happened Nov. 19 to 25. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photo

Later in the week, she said, there would be a talent show, community feast and jigging contest.

Added to that was an evening of games and movies at Moose Kerr school and an open house at the community counselling office.

Finally, Stuart said, the community would be hosting a cross-country ski race.

"It really shows the people what they can do beside their addictions," she said on Nov. 20. "Any kind of addiction, we'll be talking about it all week. These are other things we can do to enjoy life."

Across the Beaufort Delta, in Fort McPherson, Holman, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tsiigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik, hamlets and individuals all marked Addictions Awareness Week in different ways.

Fort McPherson hamlet recreation coordinator Jackie Pascal said the community held a fishing derby, where prizes were given for longest and heaviest fish.

The community also hosted open-house tours of its different support agencies, to familiarize people with resources.

Pascal said the week was a way to encourage people to let go of vices, and seek more positive things to do.

"It's a way to encourage people," she said.

In Tuktoyaktuk, the youth centre presented information booths to visitors, which taught people about addiction.

Youth coordinator Terry Kuptana said the community also hosted events such as drama skits and a drum dance.

But while most communities organized new things to do, some also limited residents' options.

Stuart said Akalvik cancelled its regular bingo games, as a symbolic stand against gambling addictions.She said the games would resume after Addictions Week ended.

"We usually have bingos every night," she said.

Inuvik's residents celebrated Addictions Week with a community feast on Nov. 23. The evening featured traditional foods, country music, and speakers like Eddie Amagonalok, who spoke of his battle with alcoholism.