STUDENTS RALLY AGAINST ADDICTION

It was a cold day in Saddle Lake on Nov. 21, but students at both the
reserve's schools were not deterred from making their voices heard.

Kihew Asiniy and Onchaminahos School students wrapped up their
National Addictions Awareness Week activities with a rally that took
them to the front of the Saddle Lake administration office.

"The rally is a culmination of the week's activities. It provides an
opportunity to have the youth voice heard by the leadership," says
Kihew Asiniy vice-principal Dale Steinhauer.

"It's also an opportunity for the adults of the community to listen to
the youth voice as well."

The Saddle Lake youth council, the schools' principal Gary Jackson,
and Steinhauer, who acted as coordinator, organized the rally and
other events.

Some of the other events included the "wear a warrior ribbon"
campaign, which Steinhauer says is over halfway to the goal of selling
300 ribbons, a gathering at Onchaminahos on the evening of Nov. 18,
and a parent advisory feast.

The theme for the week was "we are the warriors of the
Creator."

Chief Eddy Makokis addressed the rally.

"I encourage you to keep the circle strong and keep drugs and alcohol
away from the community," he said.

Several students then took turns reading inspirational
quotes.

After the rally, the Kihew Asiniy students gathered in the gymnasium
for a candlelight service emceed by Onchaminahos School counsellor
Florence Large.

She read the touching story of Lacey Cardinal, a promising student and
athlete who was diagnosed with Leukemia. Cardinal's family went
through hardships with addictions and she and her siblings spent time
in a crisis centre. Her younger sister even attempted suicide.

Cardinal and her family persevered, however, and with her cancer in
remission, she is currently back at Kihew Asiniy.

The service was followed by a video dance for the students.

Events such as the rally and the others throughout the week are
important, says Steinhauer.

"We need change in the community. We want change. We're ready for
change. The theme for the rally is a safe, healthy, drug and alcohol
free community."