ERMINESKIN WALKS AGAINST DRUGS, ALCOHOL

More than 200 people walked through Ermineskin's area of Hobbema to raise
awareness of drugs and alcohol.

Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser -- Alcohol and drugs -- an issue prevalent in
reserves.

And members of the Ermineskin Reserve are addressing it. The band hosted
its first ever walk, the Neyaskweyahk walk, April 6. "We did the walk
because we know there's a problem on the reserve. Mainly with drugs. Which
leads to violence and gangs. The walk is a way to tell people we will not
stand for this," said walk organizer and Ermineskin office manager Joyce
Larocque.

"I think it's time people started realizing it's time for healing. If we
can send a message, this is it. Our children need to have a future to look
forward to. Our people need to start healing."

Students from Ermineskin Junior/Senior High joined in with community
members, leaders and elders on the walk -- something Larocque said was an
important message.

"The youth are sending a message that this is their future we are messing
with here. It is very important for our children to know what drugs and
alcohol can do. It is destructive in all ways," said Larocque, who
estimated more than 200 people participated.

As well as the walk itself, marchers had a lunch and listened to several
guest speakers.

"We (had) Res Official (a rap artist) send out a message. The kids will
listen to him when they might not listen to an adult," said Larocque.

Another speaker was Ermineskin band Coun. Richard Lightning.

"(The walk) is to create awareness -- to commemorate our brothers and
sisters who have gone before us, as a result of drugs and alcohol," said
Lightning.

"The walk is to remind others that people do care and believe there is hope."

Lightning touched on alcoholism within the reserve and the devastation it
has caused.

"I don't have to be specific on how it devastated our once proud First
Nations. The families, next of kin, siblings, it affects everybody who
abuses it. It does not discriminate," said Lightning.

"We have to demonstrate to our loved ones we care. To believe in ourselves.
Tell your families and children how it destroys people. By contrast,
embrace sobriety. Be a role model. Parents have a duty and responsibility
in the home so their young children and teenagers can look up to them.
Everybody must be part of the healing journey."

Lightning said political will must also play a role. To provide programs
conducive to a healthy lifestyle, a collaboration of agencies is needed to
combat drugs and alcohol.

"The message I want to share with you today: let us stand together. Today,
we'll walk together, to be proud contemporary warriors.

Take up the hatchet and shield and ride. Take up the symbolic battle with
the demons we know as drugs and alcohol. Let us make our grandfathers who
are watching over us happy," said Lightning. "As contemporary warriors,
take the message to your neighbouring camps. Be brothers and sisters. The
circle can only get bigger and stronger."

Lightning said it was positive to see so many youth join in the walk,
adding they need to understand at a young age why alcohol and drugs are not
good for the community.

"This is our first walk and there will be more to come. There are a lot of
things to do at a positive level," said Larocque.

"We want to tell the community there's hope. We can clean up our community
and go back to traditional values. If 300 people can say we care, then
there is hope. It takes one to make a difference and we had 300 today."