FIGHTING DEMONS, KEEPING HOPE

Sonia Gwen Crane was addicted to alcohol and crack cocaine. She
supported her habit through prostitution. Then she found out she had
a baby on the way.

From that desperate situation to her present life filled with love
and faith, Crane's remarkable story is revealed in her new book, Rise
Up My Beloved (Xulon Press, $14.99).

The Londoner and First Nations author, who attempted to commit
suicide on her 16th birthday, believes a miracle and her faith in God
turned her life around.

Crane, 34, wrote Rise Up My Beloved to give others hope and to also
draw attention to the high suicide rates, particularly among young
people, on First Nations reserves.

"My past history of drugs, alcohol is so widespread among First
Nations," she said.

Crane has been sober and drug free for eight years and now is
reaching out to others. Her dream is to open a drug rehabilitation
centre.

But getting to this point in her life and then putting it down on
paper for all to see was difficult.

"There were times I thought I would never finish (the book). It was
determination. I've decided to share my life with no shame."

But she was ashamed of herself and she was ashamed to be a First
Nations member for a long time.

"We're so oppressed and we believe in the lie that we can't get out
of this," Crane said.

In her book she writes: "Somewhere along the way I came to believe .
. . that First Nations people were second-class citizens."

Crane realized she had to parent her two children differently from
the way she was raised.

"There is no way I want to give them the life I endured."

There is a particularly moving scene in the book when Crane describes
watching her young son sleep.

"Tears begin rolling down my cheeks, while shame, guilt and failure
taunted . . . me. Dread filled my heart of what I was doing to my
baby and it all felt worse because I was hung over."

Her family's struggle started with her grandfather, who attended a
residential school, and was hardened and bitter when he returned to
the reserve. Crane's mother said she couldn't remember ever being
held as a child. She subsequently became an alcoholic. These days,
she is sober like her daughter and the two have a good
relationship.

Through her book, Crane is reaching out to First Nations people. Rise
Up My Beloved is available on four reserves, including Oneida, and
she will be travelling to Moose Factory soon to hand the book out
there.

She tells others fighting addictions or battling other demons not to
give up hope. "It is the biggest, biggest thing. God will find you
wherever you are."

IN OTHER WORDS

Where book is available

Rise Up My Beloved, by Sonia Gwen Crane, published by Xulon Press: The
First Nation author's account of how she overcame huge obstacles in her
life. The book is available at the Upper Room and Creations bookstores in
London or online at www.xulonpress.com or www.goddesigns.ca.