Indigenous Heritage Month 2020

November is Indigenous heritage month it is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge important cultural contributions made by Indigenous peoples to the world. The picture above is of my dad, who was a traditional trapper, and an older brother. 

         Water needs flow to stay fresh, humans need to  adapt to challenges to create a life that is                             meaningful and purposeful.  Indigenous peoples are survivors, they have adapted, and continue to teach us by their example.  

In the summer 2020 during a global pandemic four professional Indigenous women  came up with a plan and met to discuss a vision  I am one of them.  What followed was an electric conversation, filled with inspiration and insight.  We had noble aspirations to combat addictions in Indigenous communities across Canada.  Our idea is to  develop curriculum based on intergenerational trauma as a source of addictions.  

  I admit the subject of addictions is  broad and complex and cannot simply be reduced to  effects of trauma. This point cannot be ignored or understated.  However, coupled with looking at the effects of the impact of colonization on Indigenous Peoples is a pathway to uncovered a possible link of intergenerational trauma and addictions.  There is Overwhelming trauma in our history. 

It goes without saying that the impact of the global pandemic created a perfect storm for addictions to take hold in Indigenous communities,  due to  months long lockdown, loss of income and security. People suffered and continue to suffer and is placing a  burden  on their mental health.  These stresses are exactly what drives people to  turn to substance abuse.

Since the onset of the pandemic suicides, and abuse incidents have increased in communities.  communities are  under insurmountable grief.  The four women decided to do something to mitigate the damages done by the pandemic and step into an huge undertaking.    The fruits of their conversation resulted in the creation of  7th Generation Indigenous foundation and training, also known as GIFT.  it is no mistake that the foundation acronym is GIFT it was by design.  the foundation is a gift to the communities. 

 Careful consideration was given to people who were invited to sit on the foundation.  An ideal director would have the following qualities, leadership and knowledge in the area of addictions, integrity, a strong desire and commitment to be part of the solution.  In turn, the foundation   aligns with their inner purpose for  meaningful service to  their communities.  Essentially to be involved with a movement greater than themselves, a noble cause. 

 The foundation's work will transform individual lives and communities by creating healthy relationships. 

 We are extremely pleased that we have attracted  Scholarly and established Indigenous people to sit on the foundation.  Day one they showed up engaged and ready for the challenge ahead. 

 Through the efforts of the foundation we are creating a vision of healthy  communities. We are creating a new reality,   Our plan includes uplifting all Indigenous peoples to be the very best version of themselves.  

November is Indigenous heritage month I salute all Indigenous peoples across turtle Island who show up every day for their communities, giving their  time, energy, and dedication   for a  healthier year-round environment  for all Indigenous communities.  A special acknowledgment for the women who shared a vision with me and have joined me on this journey side-by-side on the foundation.   Our work is a reflection of what is in our spirit.  

In just a couple short months we were able to act on this vision from spirit of our ancestors.  Their strength has led us to include Harm reduction as a  model in reducing substance  abuse.  This is not just a theoretical idea.  Countries such as  Denmark, Germany, and even Canada have establish regulated medically  supervised, safe injection sites.  These facilities operate by avoiding stigma and shame on those who use the facilities.  When a safe humane program is available it increases the probability of them seeking treatment to combat addictions on their own. It has demonstrated this as a  successful approach, perhaps most significantly they build their confidence and ability for them to tap into their inner source for healing.  

 A question I will leave you with, what would a future look like for Indigenous Peoples if there were professionals or organizations that not only provided a safe environment but also focussed on  offering resources on  mental and physical health?     This foundation is a start towards  fulfilling that vision.  If anything you read here aligns with  your spirit, and you would like to help with a donation, all gifts will receive a tax receipt.  

 

AN ELDER WEEPS, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

DENE ELDER ROGER DERANGER,EDMONTON, ALBERTA 

AN ELDERS WEEPS

An elder weeps softly after hearing the news of his nephew’s body being discovered, apparently of a drug overdose. He weeps for a future that will never come to the 28 year old man, a young man who should have decades of life left. The elder weeps because he is powerless to stop this dangerous drug that has claimed many young lives. He weeps for the young children who will never remember their father who loved them.


 I was meeting with Mental Health Addictions, and Indigenous Relations Ministers who have placed the combatting of the opioid crisis at the top of their priority for Albertans. Opioids strikes indiscriminately hitting Indigenous peoples and others alike. It does not play favorites. It does not care if you are rich or if you are poor. It hooks people the same, the addiction can be swift, or it can linger on for years impacting the people and those you love and are the closest to you.


Addressing the opioid crisis  must be approached by looking at prevention, treatment, and aftercare. It is important that the addict does not return to the very same environment that fostered his addiction.

 Many people are defenseless against this disease, it becomes a never-ending cycle of searching for their next fix. In the process abusing their body until they are rendered helpless to reverse the effects of this drug.


The elder weeps, surrendering to the feelings of hopelessness and despair. I too feel despair.  it is frustrating.


 On February 14 I was in the meeting with the Ministers hoping that since we were meeting on Valentine’s Day they would respond to our last meeting with a sweetheart deal, but it was not to be.  although, in our meeting, the phrase "people are dying" was repeated several times.  It tells me they get it.


 To emphasize that point,

Quinton Deranger 1990-2020

This death is a sad and poignant reminder that what we are fighting for is our precious youths' life who are struggling with addictions. Each and every life is sacred.

 I am dedicated to working diligently to ensure that our critical work continues in spite of this obstacle.



Nechi Institute has graduated over 15,000 addiction counselors who are in their Indigenous communities all across Canada addressing the impact of opioids and other addictive substances in our hundreds of Indigenous communities. Our efforts are being stymied by the Alberta
government because of a unilateral decision to evict us without the impact that will have in communities long-term. Our work is not done.

 I am convinced that Nechi  is needed now more than ever as a key component of dealing with the opioid crisis on the prevention side and in developing capacity in communities and that Nechi's Continued work is at least as important as adding a few treatment beds.

Nechi is not funded by government. It is self funding  selling certification training to First nation communities.