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(PDF contains: Role Model info, NAAAW Schedule and Final Report)
Piikani Prevention Counselling Service
Final Report for National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Week
“2009″
Historical the Piikani Nation was to find a clear Vision to the causes and effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the Piikani Nation, which developed in implementing the program Alcohol Services in the early “1970′s” which evolved to become the Piikani Prevention Counselling Services in the “1980V\ The focus of the Mission Statement staled; “To Provide Piikani community with awareness and information to enhance wellness by reducing addictive behaviours”.
The awareness throughout the generations was the devastating impact Addictions had and still today is taken a toll on our community. Elimination of addictive behaviours is a principle in which it requires a total community healing effort, therefore development and implementation of programs are required through PPCS targeting three main goals. Prevention, Assessment and Referral and Follow – Up and Recovery Measures. The involvement in the National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Week begins with community members recognizing that alcohol and drug abuse is deep-rooted in the community therefore coming together to bring awareness to the community is crucial.
On the Piikani Nation throughout the National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Week events began on November 22 to 29th, 2009 in which it brought tremendous awareness to the Piikani Nation and surrounding communities.
Events Planned
Preparation Day November 22, 2009
• We began the week with the Blessing of the PPCS building in which an Elder Maurice
Little Wolf and the local Parish Priest, Father Freddy from St. Pauls Parish both worked together to purify the building to help all the people who enter throughout National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Week. Following the Blessing a Ceremony was conducted ‘”Face Painting” an ancient blessing done by our people to help with inner healing and protection in all the things they do in life cach day. The Ceremony was done by the “”Okan”‘ (Holy Woman) Stella fall Man from the Kainai Nation. The Face Painting Ceremony also helped the individuals “Live the Good Life” and be blessed in all their endeavours they pursue throughout the whole National Aboriginal Addiction Awareness Week on the Piikani Nation.
Day One November 23, 2009
• Kick Off. The community gathered at PPCS building for the Sobriety Walk. We began
with an official address from the Piikani Leadership, Chief and Council spokes member, Counsellor Charles Red Young Man followed with a prayer from our NAAAW Role Model, Elder Louise English. The Little Red Bird Drummers from the Piikani Nation sang an Honour Song then the walk began. We walked to the Grave Yard, to honour all the individuals who lost their lives as a result of Addictions. At the Gravesite our Role Model Louise said a prayer and gave tobacco to all the participants and each one did an Offering to the Graves of family members who died through Alcoholism, Drug Addiction and other impacts of Addictions. We then walk back to PPCS and had Snacks and socialized.
• Pincher Creek Women’s Shelter Presentation to a group of community members spoke about safety measures and information on resources for families who are having difficulty in their relationships and how Addiction is a primary factor in the breakdown of the family units who enter the shelter. Providing safety measures and resource help families begin to move towards “Living the Good Life”.
• Candle Light Vigil. We gathered at PPCS multipurpose room with musicians and
community members. We had Individuals’ along with our Role Model Louise English give their testimonies on how Addictions impacted their life and how turning their lives around contributed to “Living the Good Life”. Concluding with the lighting of the candles symbolizing how each of the participants had a loved one lose their lives as a result of Addictions. The evening was emotionally impacted with a lot of sharing, laughter and tears.
Day Two November 24, 2009
• Family Violence Presentation was presented by Victim Services Unit from the
neighbouring Kainai Nation. The presentations focused on families that are impacted by a tragic event in their lives through crime or other factors in which Addiction tends to be the common and or main factor. Information and referrals were provided to the participants.
Day Three November 25, 2009
• Indian Residential School Support Worker (1RSSW) did a presentation on the Residential
School Survivors and the generational impact. The presentation was well received by the community members. Several individuals shared personal stories of the impact they experienced as a result of being a student at Residential School and how Addictions impacted their lives and how they overcame their own personal plights to continue “Living the Good Life”. Others shared the generational impact of Residential school how it continues to be a part of their lives. The spoke further on how they look towards “Living the Good Life “for their future generations through changing dysfunctional parental behaviours they know have come from the stringent upbringing of the Residential Schools on their own parents.
• Theoren Flurry (Ex- Calgary Flames Hockey Player) came and spoke to the community
in which he had a powerful address on his personal life and how Addictions became a primary contributing factor in the breakdown of his dreams. A large crowd was present from the Piikani Nation and visiting communities and Reserves. The evening began with an Honour dance to bring in Theoren Flurry along with other dignitaries. The opening prayer was done by our Role Model Louise English and an opening address was done by one of the leadership, Chief and Counsel Adam North Peigan. Theoren Flurry spoke about the support system over the years he developed and how it helped him with accomplishing his dreams and goals he set out in his life and how Addictions can destroy all these.
Day Four November 26, 2009
• Mock Accident; A demonstration of an Accident scene was displayed on the Piikani
Nation. The Piikani Emergency crew was on standby waiting to do what they are trained to do on accidents site during the mock accident. Everyone showed excellent team work while the Piikani members along with the PPCS, Mental Health and Head Start staff watched on what could happen when drunk drivers are involved in road accidents.
Day Five November 27, 2009
• Early Childhood presentation was an information session on the services provided to the
Piikani Nation. The participants were informed of the services offered to the community through Early Childhood.
• Alberta Health and Addictions presentation was information about the transition of
Mental Health and Alberta Health and Addictions. It was an informative session provided to the participants.
Day Six November 28, 2009
• Closing of National Aboriginal Awareness Week was the 40th Annual AA Round up.
Visitors from surrounding communities along with PPCS staff all came together to honour the individuals who celebrated their years to their weeks of recover}’ free of Addictions who today are “Living the Good Life” free from Addictions.
Throughout the National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Week displayed a community coming together to provide information to the Piikani Nation and surrounding communities in prevention of Addictions and striving for Living the Good Life that the Creator has laid out in His plan for each and every one of us.
We truly thank National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Week Committee (NCSA) for allowing the Piikani Nation to have our NAAAW celebrations on the week of November 22, 2009. We also extend gratitude to all the Piikani Nation Departments who took part, these include Piikani R.C.M.P, AakomiKyii Health, Piikani Public Works, Child & Family Services, Piikani Elementary, & High School, Employment Youth Initiative Program, Head Start, Early Child Hood, and the Piikani Nation Chief and Counsel and all the surrounding communities, Pincher Creek Women’s Shelter, Crow’s Nest Past in Coleman AB.. the Alberta Health and Addictions Agency, Kainai Victim Services, 12 Step Groups, (AA, Alanon) to make the NAAAW a success. We extend our thanks to the Media involved throughout the week of NAAAW celebration “Living The Good Life”. Most important thanks and gratitude goes out to all who took part and our condolence to the ones we lost as a result of Addictions who could not be here with us during the NAAAW.
