PEAVINE CONSIDERS DRUG TESTING ITS EMPLOYEES

The Peavine Metis Settlement is looking to implement drug testing for all
of the settlement's employees.

The move comes at a time when the settlement has started to bond together
in a fight to rid their community of drugs.

Peavine is currently working with lawyers to try to start implementing the
policy for new employees this summer. Current settlement employees will not
have to adhere to the policy until six months after the policy is implemented.

The policy will also apply to company's employed by the settlement, such as
Peavine Enterprises and Peavine Sand and Gravel.

Sharon Gauchier, Director of Education and Community for Peavine says that
even though they do want to make a strong stance against drug abuse, they
"don't want to invade on anybody's human rights."

Currently, the settlement says that it will not immediately fire employees
who fail the drug test.

"We are offering supports too for anybody who has addictions," says
Gauchier. "Nobody will lose their job over it without being offered help
first."

Peavine currently employs around 37 permanent employees and 70 project workers.

Gauchier says that there has been an increase in thefts and in violence
within the community, and many people believe that this activity is
directly linked to drug use.

Besides implementing drug testing, the settlement plans to start bringing
in presentations on the short and long term effects of drugs. As well, they
would like to start having AA and NA meetings right in the settlement, so
that people who would like to or need to attend these meetings do not need
to drive to High Prairie for them.

These initiatives come in the wake of the very successful Peavine Walk for
Life. Settlement members are happy that people are finally taking a stand
against something that is so detrimental to their society and to their people.

"The community as a whole seems to think it's a good thing and are glad to
see things are finally being started."

Acting administrator Violet Noskey has no further comment on the matter
except to say that they are only in the development stages of the policy.