CHARTING AN ADDICTIONS-FREE COURSE

Celebrating accomplishments and keeping their community alcohol and
drug free are vital themes for the current chief and council of the
Sechelt Indian Band.

Well over 100 people attended a barbecue on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the
Band's community hall to recognize several stellar feats recorded
over the past summer.

The excellent athletic team that went to Colorado was acknowledged
for their winning ways. The soccer players, ranging in age from 13 to
18, were part of the Team B.C. contingent that went to Denver and
Colorado Springs for the North American Indigenous Games. They
brought home an amazing six medals -- five gold and one silver.

The parents were thanked for their hard work in fundraising for the
journey. Their efforts were so successful that the costs covered and
each child ended up with some pocket money as well.

A bright photo collage of the team's experiences lined one of the
walls in the hall. Photographer Joyce Joe, one of the moms who
fundraised and accompanied the team, recalled the feeling of awe she
got from seeing all the different First Nations people in their
regalia. It was an emotional moment she said she would never forget.

Another group honoured at the dinner was the Tribal Journeys
participants. Although the canoes were supposed to go only as far as
Tsawwassen, the gang of determined pullers ended up going the
distance to Muckleshoot in Washington state.

Time after time these brave souls faced monetary and other
restrictions. One of the key personnel on the trip, Carlene Joe, told
about having to dump milk to use the container as a bailer. She
presented certificates to all the participants as well as those folks
who stepped up to help the pullers realize their dream. Joe had
special thanks for both Candace Campo and Wes Nahanee for helping
them financially.

Joe also touched on the other theme of the evening when she talked
about the need to take back the community from alcohol and drugs. She
recently celebrated her first year of clean living and is anxious for
others to do the same.

Dave Wilson with the addictions branch of Vancouver Coastal Health
held a brainstorming session with the people present for ways to help
Band members become addiction free.

Wilson said the Band has $10,000 available from B.C. Union of
Municipalities to combat crystal meth in the community. Some of the
ideas brought forward at the meeting included team building with
youth. Other audience members wanted to see guest speakers, people in
recovery. Some felt a need for safe houses for recovering addicts to
go to after they've been to recovery centres.

One man thought it would be helpful to have a return to traditional
places such as Vancouver Bay and Secluded Bay for families to
experience nature and the Creator in quietness.

A drop-in centre for youth, a 24-hour hot line and youth addiction
prevention workshops were other ideas brought forward. Another Band
member reminded the assembled that not only youth but adults are
bored too; he suggested "dry" dances to entertain older people.

Among the suggestions was a need for better relationships with
police, an initiative several Band members are already working on. At
Tuesday's barbecue, constables Kelly Allan and Tracy Dubnyk arrived
in time to cook the second round of burgers and hot dogs.

The evening closed with traditional music and dance. The Xwamtsut
Dance Group provided much of the entertainment. The dancers are
quickly becoming fine ambassadors for the local Band. Their energy
and talent give credit to their instructors, among them Andy Johnson
and Candace Campo.