‘Meth’, an interactive theatre pulling communities together
National Addictions Awareness Week November 19-25
Supporting women who are pregnant
Disaster waiting to happen at Pikangikum First Nation
"The Hollow Tree: Fighting Addiction with Traditional Native Healing"
ReZ Idol - fun in a safe and positive environment
‘Meth’, an interactive theatre pulling communities together
By Jen Cressey
“A person who doesn’t express themselves gets sick, right? Well, imagine that a community is a living thing. A community needs to express itself, or it will get sick,” states David Diamond, Artistic Director of Headlines Theatre.
Referring to Diamond’s statement, Grand Chief Dr. Rose Charlie adds, “That is a big part of why you see social problems in First Nations communities: we have become disconnected from our ways of expressing ourselves.” Charlie was part of the group that invited Headlines Theatre to look at the crystal meth use on reserves, a problem she characterizes as “the new plague.”
First Nations communities are not alone in their struggle with the highly addictive drug. An oft-reported “meth crisis” has quickly spread through diverse populations in both urban and rural areas. The response has been equally swift; task forces are in full gear and drug-specific school prevention programs have sprung up, seemingly overnight. The public is concerned, and action is being taken. That concern is well founded; among a host of symptoms, meth addicts often suffer from psychotic episodes that make them violent and difficult to treat.
But there may be danger in isolating crystal meth from other narcotics, and the continuum of addiction in general. There is strong evidence to support the idea that while effects of various addictions can differ drastically, the causes are the same.
There is growing support for the assertion that addiction is not due to the tenacity of a particular drug – there are people who try heroin, crack and meth yet do not become addicted – but instead owes to a psychosocial lack, a need that must be filled. The sensation of a drug becomes akin to the feeling of love and acceptance. If this is true, then effective prevention happens through the fostering of healthy relationships.
With this in mind, Headlines Theatre’s next audience interactive production, Meth looks at addiction from a holistic community perspective. Rather than ostracizing addicts as alien, they are considered as family members, brothers, sisters, co-workers, teachers and students. By framing the investigation in this way, all community members have a role to play and responsibility in finding solutions.
Headlines uses Forum Theatre to create opportunities for communities to express themselves and find, rediscover or maintain health. At every step, the process is driven by the authentic voice of the community. In Meth, the actors onstage will be former addicts, and people affected by addiction, telling the stories of what Diamond refers to as “the living community”. To accomplish this, the process begins with an intensive six day Theatre for Living workshop.
In the workshop, twenty participants use theatre techniques to explore the issue and their connection to it. They make discoveries through creating images with their bodies; symbolism and archetypes move from subconscious concerns to become tools for understanding. The material gathered in the workshop is used as a springboard for the development of the play, which is created and performed by a cast of six workshop participants, who are supported by a professional production team of designers and technicians.
This phase complete, the project truly blossoms when it reaches the performance hall. It is then the interactive aspect of the work kicks in. The short, usually about 25 minute, play is performed once in its entirety. Then it is performed a second time, now with an invitation to the audience: if you understand the struggle of the character and have an idea to create healthy community, or solve a problem, come on to the stage and try it.
The stage becomes a lab, a place where experiments can take place.
What happens in this circumstance if I do X or Y? Try it out and see. It also becomes a rehearsal for life, a safe place to observe and practice strategies that work in the moment, and recognize the complexity of situations that are rarely, if ever, a matter of black and white or yes and no.
Meth runs in Vancouver from November 30 to December 10, and tours across BC in January and February 2007. Information at 604.871.0508 or www.headlinestheatre.com.
National Addictions Awareness Week November 19-25
Since 1981, communities throughout Canada have been coordinating events to promote addictions awareness. From 1987 to 1988, the National Native Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse coordinated NAAW in Ottawa. National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW) was conceptualized and developed by Nechi Training, Research & Health Promotions Institute (Nechi) in 1989 to promote activities at the national level.
Initally this was an ad-hoc process put in place to coordinate the campaign out of Edmonton, AB. Because there was no formal ongoing process, this ultimately limited the campaign to certain regions of the country and the campaign was not given the national recognition it deserved.
In October of 1987, the Honourable Jake Epp, Minister of Health and Welfare Canada proclaimed the third week of November of each year as Drug Awareness Week or (NAAW).
The NAAW objective is to provide information and promote a variety of activities that will serve to generate awareness on addictions issues that affect people across the country. It's focus is celebrating success in addictions awareness. The efforts of youth and communities are celebrated across Canada. NAAW has become an avenue for effectively mobilizing communities in working together towards a common goal, as well as, strengthening a partnership of First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Non-Aboriginal professionals working in the area of addictions.
Each year communities from each province and territory send in their Declarations of Intent. Most communities organize at least two (and up to 37!) activities during National Addictions Awareness Week. Collectively, communities facilitate the involvement of almost 600,000 participants across Canada. This involvement helps make "Join the Circle" a success. This unity exemplifies the work that is being accomplished by Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people to fight addictions in their communities.
National Addictions Awareness Week is a time to celebrate the joy of an addictions-free lifestyle. It is a time to honour each other. You can take part by organizing a community activity during National Addictions Awareness Week. Hold a sober dance, honour outstanding community members or have a feast. Join hands and form a circle - Keep the Circle Strong!
NAAW COMMUNITY GRANT 2006 WINNERS
This year we are proud to present the following organizations with the $500 Grants:
COOK'S FERRY INDIAN BAND (BC)
Targeting the Family Unit, the goal is to provide evening workshops from Nov. 19-25 to promote and celebrate Nlaka'pamux methods of traditional family value s. The Elders will sing and tell stories to all, while learning and making traditional hand drums.
EHATTESAHT TRIBE (BC)
In order to reassure that their people are on the right path, the Tribe will allocate the grant funds to bring Don Burnstick's "Rebuilding the Spirit" workshop. Through Prayer, Sharing, Crying and Laughter, a balance in the recovery process will be achieved.
OCHAPOWACE FIRST NATION (SK)
The community's title this year for the awareness week is "Let's Celebrate Sobriety", and they will celebrate it with a Sharing Circle and Art Contest. Hope will be given to others by telling stories using the art they have created.
WHITEFISH RIVER FIRST NATION HEALTH CENTER (ON)
Holding their "1st Annual Fear Factor Contest, the community will be teaching others "how they can conquer their fears and to take a risk in becoming a healthy community". They will host events like "Dancing with Nish" (where couples must complete different styles of dances-from jitterbug to tango!), "Turtle Triathlon" (geared to the elders) and "Last Nish Dancing" (comic relief).
PEGUIS HEALTH SERVICES (MB)
"Drug Free Family Fun Night" will be an entertaining showcase of local talent on stage, showing comedy, poems, karaoke, singing, dance, skits or whatever family friendly activity that people want to perform.
CAROLINE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLACE + ROCKY NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTER (AB)
The Caroline School will be hosting various speakers regarding drugs, drinking and driving. An awarenesswalk, a sober dance and a community pancake supper, along with door prizes will be included in events.
ALEXIS HEALTH & SOCIAL PROGRAMS (AB)
The grant allocation will contirbute tpwards entertainment and display supllies for hosting a recognition celebration of all the people who are sober in the community.
PABINEAU FIRST NATION NATION (NB)
The National Awareness Week will be presented with Mini Olympics, BBQ's, Face Paintings, Balloon Making, Poster board presentations, Nutrition breaks, and among other things, a large canvas will be on site for Youth Expression which will remain on display year round. There will presentations on Gambling, Crystal Meth, Keeping Tobacco Sacred, Alcohol Awareness, Struggles with Addictions and many more.
HAMLET OF CORAL HARBOUR (NU)
The Municipality will declare NAAW and all types of fairs and events will start. There will be media outlets communicating the importance of NAAW. Coloring contests, poster contests, school class presenters, daily radio announcements and posters throughout the community will help strengthen the community.
Congratulations to these grant winners and thank you to all who participated and sent in excellent ideas and applications.
COMMUNITY HOST 2006 - NORWAY HOUSE CREE NATION
In honor of this community’s traditional celebration and week long event, this year’s theme is “Rowing Into Healthier Lifestyles”. Christine Rowden, LPN & NAAW Coordinator for National Addictions Awareness Week is organizing events such as hockey night, gospel singing, a traditional pow-wow, community wellness night, display and information booths.
Norway House Cree Nation is strategically located north of Winnipeg and sits along the North shore of Lake Winnipeg. Norway House is a growing community and is known for their annual York Boat Days celebrations.
Supporting women who are pregnant
NAAW is an important time to reflect on our own lives, our accomplishments, and how we as individuals can help others with issues of addictions. Many times we do not consider women who are pregnant as having any difficulties as this is a time of joy and celebration to be carrying another human being. It can be a difficult and stressful time for many women.
Women who drink during pregnancy are not intentionally setting out to harm their unborn child. Women either do not know about the harmful lifelong effects of drinking or drugs on the baby or they have an addiction and the choice is no longer theirs to make.
Children are being born at an alarming rate that have been prenatally exposed to alcohol or drugs that can cause lifelong learning problems and dysfunctional lives. When Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder was first diagnosed it was meant as a diagnosis for two people, the child and the mother. The intention has been that the mother would also receive supports. It is important to find ways to support women who are drinking or doing drugs and are pregnant.
There are several ways to look at supporting women in a non judgmental manner that will empower her to make good choices for her baby.
First, providing her with information about the harmful affects of alcohol/drugs on the unborn child, this can be done in a quiet and private manner to provider her the dignity of accepting this information.
Second, it may be important to include her partner in the discussion because research tells us that supportive partners are highly successful in preventing women from using during pregnancy.
Third, an intervention program may be needed to provide a higher level of support to an addicted women. Several programs exist in the country and by contacting your local addiction services office, they can provide this contact information. Most addiction treatment services prioritize pregnant women to receive services first.
For more information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or services for addiction services for pregnant women, contact the Lakeland Centre for FASD, 1.877.594.5454 or please visit our website at www.lakelandfas.com.
Disaster waiting to happen at Pikangikum First Nation
Health officials who inspected water resources on the Pikangikum First Nation say they were ``startled'' by what they saw in the remote community.
``We were startled, upset. It was awful. This was a level of neglect that almost appeared purposeful,'' said Dr. Pete Sarsfield, medical officer of health for the Northwestern Health Unit.
Of the 387 houses on the reserve north of Red Lake, none of the homes is hooked up to the treatment plant, the inspectors said in a report.
There are 20 homes that have hauled water service and sewage service. They use storage tanks for water.
The report notes the water is used only for cleaning and washing purposes. Drinking water is mostly taken directly from the lake and the storage tanks are not usable in the winter because they freeze.
Sarsfield said he has never seen living conditions like this in Canada – infrastructure so bad people are constantly putting themselves at risk of serious illness.
``This is just begging for an outbreak of water borne illness,'' he said.
Health-care workers on the reserve were equally nervous about their health, said Val Mann, the health unit's director of planning and evaluation.
``They indicated that they felt there was an increase in specific disease areas, which they attributed to the water issue,'' Mann said.
The band does have a water treatment plant, which is working fairly well, the report stated. There are trained workers and the treated water is safe to use, but it's everything which needs to support the plant output which they don't have.
There is no infrastructure to send water to the houses, and there is no knowledge of how to keep water containers clean, which are often just buckets stored on the counter. Those who do get water trucked to their houses are not using the clean water for drinking.
With no infrastructure there is very little sewage control. The store on the reserve, the police station and the school have toilets with septic systems but they leach out and one goes to a poorly maintained lagoon.
``The lagoon discharges upstream of the intake for the water treatment plant and the community,'' stated the report. The water used by almost all residents for drinking right out of the lake is contaminated. Washrooms for residents include decrepit outhouses.
``The outhouses were old wooden things, they were terrible,'' said Sarsfield.
One picture in the report shows an outhouse full to the brim with refuse and toilet paper everywhere. Sarsfield and Mann both confirmed this is a common state.
``This wasn't going in to highlight one day, this is daily life. It was pretty eye opening,'' said Mann.
``The pictures are what we saw and are very representative.''
The federal government issued an at-risk report of First Nations across the country earlier this year to point out water systems which need repair. Pikangikum was not on the list.
``How the hell can Pikangikum not be high risk?'' said Sarsfield. The First Nation is constantly on a boil water advisory.
The health unit recommends the government take action immediately to create infrastructure for water and sewage to avoid major health problems on the First Nation.
“The Hollow Tree: Fighting Addiction with Traditional Native Healing”
Herb Nabigon, professor in the Native Human Services program at Laurentian University, has recently launched his book The Hollow Tree: Fighting Addiction with Traditional Native Healing, a moving personal testament to the healing power of Indigenous culture.
Before discovering Native healing methods, Nabigon could not imagine a life without alcohol. He had spent many years dealing with self-destructive impulses, feelings of inferiority and resentment.
In the late 1970s, Nabigon met Eddie Bellerose, an Elder who introduced him to the ancient Cree teachings. This meeting would change his life. Nabigon was able to find sobriety with the help of traditional cultural practices, such as the sweat lodge and the use of the pipe, and healing methods drawn from the four life-givers (food, water, sun and air) and their connection to the earth (fire).
“The earth nurtures all of life and as peoples we need to reconnect to the earth,” said Herb Nabigon. “By healing the life-givers, we ensure a future to generations to come. I hope that this testament will help Native people suffering from addiction to heal and that The Hollow Tree will bring greater understanding between cultures.”
It took Nabigon about a year to write his autobiographical work. He describes it as being both a difficult and comforting experience.
“I believe Herb Nabigon’s journey is touchingly honest and inspiring for all,” said Sheila Hardy, founding Director of Native Academic Affairs. “Laurentian University, as a tri-cultural and bilingual institution, is growing, and we are proud to see more and more of our Native faculty members publishing. This is especially important in the area of Native education where academic resources are required to support teaching and learning.”
Herb Nabigon teaches Aboriginal healing methods to students in Social Work at Laurentian. He is from Pic River First Nation, near Marathon, in northwestern Ontario, and a member of the Loon Clan. Nabigon is also the author of Forging New Relationships: Aboriginal Governance in Canada - Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples (2000).
The Hollow Tree: Fighting Addiction with Traditional Native Healing is published by McGill-Queen's University Press. Georges Sioui, Coordinator of the Aboriginal Studies Program at the University of Ottawa, has signed the forward.
For more information, please contact Herb Nabigon, Professor, Native Human Services, at (705) 675-1151, extension 5063 or by email, at [email protected]
ReZ Idol – fun in a safe and positive environment
The Sto1:lo Nation Health Services; the Addictions and Mental Health department are always focusing on various initiatives in addressing the on going problems of Alcohol & Drugs within our Aboriginal people both on and off the reserves.
The primary focus for us this year is for our people to role model through ReZ Idol theme during the NAAW timeframe in November 2006; that we still can have fun in a safe and positive environment without the inducement of Alcohol and/or Drugs. This is also the perfect opportunity to have our people connect with each other and possibly initiate additional support systems for themselves, as our Ancestors have done.
Furthermore, addictions causes continual stress. Continual stress causes illness. Some types of illness from stress can be:
• Slow wound healing
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Susceptibility to infections
• Immune disorders
• Eating problems
• Digestive problems
• Diabetes
• Sleep disturbances
• Memory, concentration, learning
So let’s all have fun so we can alleviate our daily and historical stressors which may by contributing factors to various Addictions.