2008 – Community Host Winners Announced!

Click on the names to read about their proposal.

The winners were the following:

1. Kisipatnahk School – Louis Bull First Nation – Hobbema , Alberta
2. One Arrow First Nation Community Addictions Prevention Program – Bellevue , SK
3. Alcohol and Drug Program – Pabineau First Nation, NB
4. Community Wellness Department, Serpent River First Nation – Cutler, Ontario
5. Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services – Kahnawake , Quebec
6. 4 South Slave Healthy Communities Partnership – Hay River , NWT
7. Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Inuvik Community Corporation – Inuvik , NT

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Alberta Kisipatnahk School – Louis Bull First Nation Hobbema, Alberta
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• UPDATE: FEB 2009

The Kisipatnahk School is situated on a “dry reserve” full of tragedy. With the cry for help from children, youth, leaders, parents and community members, NAAAW is an opportunity that can bring awareness to others of how addictions is destroying the will to live and succeed in today’s society. They will have an opportunity to show positive ways for people willing to build a safe, addiction free environment for their children and community members. And they will celebrate their efforts and success.

At this time the community has received negative media profiling of the violent environment of gangs and addiction issues plaguing Hobbema communities. NCSA and NAAAW can support the community to show and display a positive side of the Louis Bull community. Together, we can help make a difference!

The Kisipatnahk School accommodates K4/5 to Grade 9 and over 200 students. The School promotes the Cree language and values to assist students with make positive healthy lifestyle choices. The school has embraced the theme of Living the Good Life in the planned events for NAAAW to promote awareness, pride and addiction free lifestyles.

The committee has planned a week of events for the children, parents, staff and the community. The students will kick off the NAAAW event with a Walk in community announcing their wish to live a good life, in an environment free from addictions and violence.

The Role Model honors go to the Louis Bull Tribal Police, the community protectors. This organization celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2007, it was the first Aboriginal based and controlled police service in Canada. Their policing services encompass all four Hobbema communities. The tribal police members actively contribute to the school providing presentations such as DARE and gang awareness. The extreme social challenges faced by the Hobbema communities have not deterred the organization from continuing their incredible contributions of protection and awareness to build a safe, healthy environment for the members for the four Hobbema bands.

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Saskatchewan, One Arrow First Nation Community Addictions Prevention Program, Bellevue, SK
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One Arrow First Nation CAPP has a vision and goals.

CAPP is responsible to create and deliver awareness and education in the community about the harms and effects of addictions on individuals, families and society. They would like to set a good example for the youth by promoting addiction free lifestyles by honoring the sobriety in their community. The would like to showcase their community members who live an addiction free lifestyle showing that being alcohol and drug free is “Living the Good Life”

NCSA and NAAAW are able to support One Arrow CAPP with the opportunity to promote the positive community members through celebration to help strengthen the families, communities and the nation.

The week long events in the One Arrow First Nation will have participation from not only community members, but from communities in the surrounding area. Community members that live a good life will be sharing their stories about their sobriety, life changes and the sober activities they do to support living a good life.

The Role Model chosen for the One Arrow Community is Irene Paul. Irene actively demonstrates living the good life, through her sobriety and the work she does as an Addictions Counselor. Her tremendous contribution to the health and wellness in the One Arrow First Nation has resulted in community members living a good life and who actively demonstrate sobriety to the youth. Irene Paul and other community members will be honored at a banquet for their contributions to the proactive changes for the One Arrow First Nation.

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New Brunswick: Pabineau First Nation, NB, Alcohol and Drug Program
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• UPDATE: FEB 2009

The small Mi’qmaq community of Pabineau is a direct reflection of their enduring dedication to their community vision;

“Taking a holistic approach to community development that that is focused on the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of our members and their families will assist us in our building social and economic strengths and stability through out the Pabineau First Nation Community.”

They planned events that are enmeshed with the wonderful aspirations of their intended vision is such an important quality that must be recognized and rewarded. This community is using its holistic concerted efforts towards bringing awareness to addictions.

In their own words the Pabineau FN considers itself deserving because they want to raise awareness within its own community and others in order to build partnerships. They see the value in working together to build encouragement and support for their youth, men and women; to help them “live the good life”.

The Pabineau FN realizes the importance of community partnerships; they are involving other surrounding First Nations in the NAAAW celebration. Not to mention the Mayor of the neighboring town of Bathurst, the RCMP, City Police, and the Addiction Services Bathurst. By including these stakeholders they not only hope to transmit the awareness of addiction but also cultural values “by means of sharing information and hands on activities”.

The PFN knows that this week of NAAAW is a valuable tool in transmitting their own cultural knowledge. In their own words they consider the amalgamation of the two components addiction and cultural awareness to be a “healing process [for] all who take part in NAAAW activities”.

The role models for the PFN are 10 elders in their community. Evident in the application, they are very conscious of the value in the elders’ lessons: “it’s a teaching every time we encounter them”. The elders speak their Mi’qmaq language, share stories, songs, teachings and ceremonies, in this; PFN recognizes “we learn about ourselves”. “The elders share experiences and wisdom to promote a healthy lifestyle. [The] team of elders is a very powerful circle”.

Pabineau FN has the following activities planned for NAAAW:

- A feast of all healthy foods and traditional fare.
- Presentations throughout the week with special guest at the opening ceremonies: including MLA’s, Mayor, etc. in honoring the elders’.
- They re-iterate what a special moment honoring their elder’s will be.
- Activities for children, youth and community members
- cultural activities: drumming, talking circles, story telling, etc.

Events for this community are November 16 through to November 22. Good Job Pabineau!

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Ontario Community Wellness Department, Serpent River First Nation, Cutler, Ontario
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Serpent River First Nation hopes that this organization will reach as many people as possible who are dealing with the afflictions of addiction through their celebration of NAAAW in their community. They hope to reach them not only to bring awareness to those who are on the edge or “who are in the contemplation stages of change”, but also to honor those who have made positive “good life” changes in their lives.

To exemplify this essence they are creating a “Live the Good Life Tree” during all of the events during the week “Community members who would like to display a success with an addiction on a piece of birch bark and then place the birch bark on the tree will be welcomed to do so”. Every year Serpent River First Nation (SRFN) “plans and participates in NAAAW and each year [they] attempt to create more and more awareness” SRFN tries to “touch on all addictions including smoking, eating, prescription drugs, street drugs, alcohol and gambling”. As you can see SRFN has big hopes of continually making NAAAW in their community better than the last. They have a specific target audience this year of reaching those “at risk or on the edge” and recognizing the successes in their community. These endeavors are exemplary of the holistic efforts towards Addictions Awareness.

The SRFN is located on the north shore of Lake Huron, between the cities of Sudbury and Sault St. Marie, the on reserve population is approximately 400.

The Role Model selection for this community is Rob and Marlene Essex, with their children Daneesha (7), Robert Jr. (3), and Trenton (1):

Robert works in the mental health unit in the Community Wellness Department, his focus is children and youth. He has worked with SRFN for 9 years. He is an active member of the Bear Creek Singers Drum group; he is a regular attendee of pow-wow’s in both Canada and the U.S. His drum group was also nominated for a Grammy Award last year. He volunteers and organizes a drum group for young boys in his community, during this time he invites and encourages anyone to practice dancing while the drum group practices. Marlene is a stay at home mom, she has always dreamt of becoming a nurse, and will fulfill that dream by going to university next fall. She is also a jingle dress dancer, like her husband she also performs at pow-wows. Together they are raising three children. This family is very in touch with their traditional Ojibwa roots, they are wonderful role models for their children, as well as children in the community. They live this exemplary life while being completely addictions free. This makes them a very fitting role model for this year’s NAAAW. Congratulations Serpent River and the Essex family, great job!

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Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services, Kahnawake, Quebec
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• UPDATE: FEB 2009

Kahnawake has had such an integrated history with the creation of NAAAW and has always had such a high turnout for their events, they created their own event: Kahnawake Addictions Awareness Month KAAM. The month long celebration was created made to coincide with NAAAW, but more time was added because of the huge amount of enthusiasm within their communities. Not unlike the community of Serpent River First Nation the Kahnawake community is also making it a priority to focus their energy on “promoting wellness rather than focusing on addictions”. The result of this is the creation of the Spirit of Wellness (SOW). The NAAAW specific activities in this community are: a media blitz on addictions. They have “an extensive repertoire of media services available for us…radio station, local newspaper, closed circuit cable TV”. The media blitz begins on November 17-21.

The community of Kahnawake has a population of 9000; the reservation is located just south of Montreal, Quebec. The hope is that all 9000 members will at least hear the addiction awareness messages. The community has planned a full month of events for children, youth, community members, visitors and with strong community partnership, they will celebrate NAAAW and living a good life!

The Role Model is Angel Robertson, an 11 year old girl who has been attending the “Our Gang” After school Program for 5 years. Angel has shown great initiative and resilience throughout her years with us. She takes great pride in being a good person and in educating herself on the social issues in her community. Angel has made the choice to start her life in a drug and alcohol free way and to surround herself with positive role models and other youth who also strive to do the same. Angel takes care of her physical self by participating in the “running club” while at the same time maintaining her grades at school. Angel also has a younger brother who has special needs and takes her role as a sister very seriously, making sure that he gets home from school safely and taking responsibility for him when it is appropriate. We feel that Angel is a great role model for other youth and that she is already on the path to becoming a strong leader in her community.

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North West Territories – South Slave Healthy Communities Partnership, Hay River, NWT
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• (read their final report here)

The NAAAW organizing committee is comprised of community counseling services, Justice, Healthy Communities Partnership, Nats ejee Keh Treatment Center, Katlodeecheee First Nation, student council of Diamond Jenness Secondary School and the newly formed SADD chapter. The community has a Substance Abuse Interagency Group meet and strategizes drug and alcohol issues amongst the youth. Fourteen agencies representing all areas of town meet and collaboratively seek ways to reduce addictions and bring awareness to the community. This group has provided suggestions to the NAAAW planning group for activities.

The remarkable community engagement utilized by the South Slave Healthy Communities Partnership has lead to fabulous activities and celebration being planned for the 3rd week of November, National Addictions Awareness Week. Hay River has a population of approximately 3600 people, over 50% being an Aboriginal population.

The community has planned to open NAAAW with a Sober Walk through the community. Presentations will be held at the school thought out the week including parent information sessions at DJSS with RCMP, Community Counseling, Public Health, SSDEC, DJSS Principal and Program Support Teacher. The community will have an evening presentation with special guests: SADD, YADD, Catholic Women’s League, and ODD Squad at DJS School. A Youth Dance at DJS School will wrap up NAAAW 2008 for Hay River.

Role Models chosen for this community are the Diamond Jenness Secondary School Students who approached their principal to address the Drug and Alcohol problems in their school and community. The students from Grades 8-12 took part in a Drug and Alcohol Survey and provided honest comments and suggestions on changes they would like to see at their school. They used the results for the survey completed and took action in their school and community to address problems with drug dealers, users, etc. The proposed changes were all related to creating and fostering a safe and healthy environment in their school because they were fed up with the addictions abuse among their friends. We honor their honesty and proactive approach to changing their own surrounding for the wellness of their peers. Great job DJSS Students!

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Inuvialuit Settlement Region – Inuvik Community Corporation, Inuvik, NT
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• (read their final report here)
• UPDATES: FEB 2009

Inuvik Community Corporation represents the interests of Inuvialuit in the community of Inuvik and promotes the well-being in health, wellness, culture, education and economic opportunities. Through community partnership the ICC supports community and public events that bring awareness and education to the people regarding addictions.

The problem of addictions, as in other northern communities, is a constant concern for the community residents. The ICC activity planning includes strong public relations and engagement of the community in a number of ways. This is an opportunity to celebrate an addictions free lifestyle for collectively.

The ICC represents roughly 1/3 of the total number of Inuvialuit in the western Arctic and Inuvik has a population of more than 3500 people, a community with a very diverse population. The week long events will include community partners presenting forums on addictions and positive ways of dealing with these issues. Community will gather and participate in positive activities to promote healthy choices in life and working together building safe, positive environment for the people in the western Arctic! Excellent job Inuvik!

Hank Rodgers is the Role Model chosen by this community for the 2008 NAAAW celebrations. And this is what they say about him: “Our role model is Hank Rogers of Inuvik who is an Inuvialuit elder in our community. Hank beat an alcohol addiction many years ago. He said he chose his family over his addiction and has not looked back since. Hank recently retired from active employment and has resumed life trapping and spending time on the land. He says the land and the great outdoors is his church and it is there he finds great joy and satisfaction. He was happy to accept our offer as a role model & will be joining us on our Sober Walk to be held this Sunday afternoon. Hank will also be profiled in our local community newspaper (Inuvik Drum) this week. Hank may also be involved in some school presentations during the week. ”