Fort Providence (Dec 22/06) - A Fort Providence resident has raised concerns about the recent celebration in the community to recognize sobriety.

On Nov. 22, the Deh Gah Got'ie Koe First Nation had a gathering to recognize achievements in the community. Among those awarded were 18 people who had been sober for periods ranging from seven months to five years.

Tina Gargan is concerned that more people weren't acknowledged. If you aren't going to recognize everyone who has chosen sobriety you shouldn't recognize anyone at all, said Gargan.

Gargan, who has been living a healthy lifestyle for more than seven years, was not recognized. Although she was away during the week the celebration was held, Gargan said she heard a lot of remarks when she returned to the community.

"I believe it was a very dangerous thing," she said.

Gargan said she's concerned about the effect not being recognized had on people who were new to sobriety. It might have thrown them off the path because alcohol and addictions are so powerful, she said.

People Gargan knows who weren't recognized didn't take the situation well.

"They were personally hurt they weren't acknowledged," she said.

One friend was almost pushed back to drinking, said Gargan.

Although Gargan said she appreciates the gesture the band was making, she suggests it could have been made differently. At Alcoholics Anonymous roundups everyone is acknowledged starting with those who have only been sober for a few hours to those who have been clean for years, Gargan said.

"Even if someone was sober for an hour that should have been acknowledged," she said.

On behalf of the band council, Chief Berna Landry said she apologizes to anyone who may have been left out during the awards. The band council chose people they were aware of to receive the awards, said Landry.

"We were trying to brainstorm," she said.

At the time, the council was aware of concerns that there would be hard feelings if anyone was missed but they still decided to press ahead with the celebration. The council didn't want to delay the celebration again, said Landry.

Since the last election, Landry said the band has wanted to hold a celebration to recognize local achievements. The council decided to take advantage of National Addictions Awareness week held between Nov. 19 to 25 to gather people together, Landry said.