NAAAW Final Report
The Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB) held several activities during National Aboriginal Addiction Awareness Week. Many community members participated in the events. Our goal was to involve as many age levels as possible to bring the awareness message.
November 8 -12,2010
Poster campaign with nta’mqen snm’am’aya’tn school (Band School). Frieda Prince and Gwen Bailey, the Community Health Nurse went to the school and gave a short presentation on how alcohol and tobacco affect your organs. The children were very participatory and asked a lot of questions. Many seemed particularly interested in how their brains are affected by alcohol and tobacco. The school only goes to Grade Four so there was very little discussion on drug awareness. The children were encouraged to participate in making posters for NAAAW week. The posters were collected and displayed at the Elks Hall, which was where the other activities were to take place.
November 15, 2010
KASP performance at Elks Hall. KASP is a local hip-hop/rap artist from Penticton, BC. He delivers a message on gangster lifestyle as portrayed in media and music. He encourages youth to express themselves through music and encourages a healthy lifestyle. This venue was not well attended and we are still discussing possible reasons. Many youth stated that they forgot and were not happy they missed the performance. It was advertised at the high school and through posters and reminders when youth had other activities. The twenty-two participants who did attend stated that they thoroughly enjoyed the session. The participants were a cross section of youth, children, and parents.
November 17,2010
Drug Awareness Workshop/Family Violence Presentation. LSIB hosted a drug awareness workshop aimed at parents and adults wanting to learn more about drugs. An RCMP officer provided an overview of his experience in the drug squad out of the Penticton detachment. He talked about some of the concerns and ways to address youth that may be experimenting or contemplating drug use. This workshop was attended by approximately 15 individuals. A local actress Michelle Thrush, presented the audience with a skit she wrote on family violence. The audience enjoyed the performance and there was a lot of discussion after.
November 18, 2010
Family Dance. The family dance was a huge success. Many community members came out with their family and just had a fun evening of dancing and visiting. Approximately forty-five attended this event. We had door prizes, spot dances, and refreshments. Feedback was positive and most of the parents stated that they would really like to see more of this kind of event in the community.
November 20, 2010
South Okanagan Healthy Living Celebration. The four Bands in the South Okanagan area decided to host a large evening event to bring together families and friends in one large event. The four Bands, Penticton, Osoyoos, Lower Similkameen, and Upper Similkameen, make up the South Okanagan area of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. Each community usually has a sobriety celebration but this year, it was decided to hold one major event and combine all our resources and celebrate as a nation. The event was hosted by Osoyoos Indian Band at their Band School, Sen’ pok ‘chin, in Oliver, Be. Each community was well represented at the celebration. Each community recognized one male, one female, and one youth and all were given a gift by their own community leaders. Several other prominent people were recognized for their community contributions in the wellness field. This event was attended by approximately 200 people. The headliner for this evening celebration was First Nations comedian, Howie Miller, from Edmonton.
Each Band’s contribution was a portion of the total budget needed and the man hours needed to pull it all together. LSIB’s contributions to this event were the man hours for planning and hosting the event and approximately $2200.00 to pay for supplies.
BUDGET
REVENUE
NAAAWAward: 2500.00
Lower Similkameen Indian Band contribution: 2655.11
TOTAL $5155.11
EXPENSES
School Poster Campaign: $62.91
KASP Entertainment: $1350.00
Prizes: $400.00
Travel- Frieda Prince: $235.20
Travel- Emory Gabriel (approximate): $ 400.00
Food, snacks – all local events: $300.00
Sobriety Celebration: $2182.00
Hall rental: $225.00
TOTAL $ 5155.11
Summary
The NAAAW activities were considered a success by the Health and Social team. Community members were happy to see events in the community and thought the awareness activities were a good thing for the community. Band council endorsed and supported the week of activities. The activities were designed to be fun but also carry the message that alcohol and drugs do not need to play a part. The children were very participatory and are great messengers for a healthy lifestyle. The South Okanagan Healthy Living Celebration in Oliver was a great success. The hope is that next year, the celebration will include the whole Okanagan Nation which is comprised of the seven member Bands and the Colville Confederated Tribes in Washington state.
