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By Henry Michell
The Lake Babine Nation hosted an FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorder) and an HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome) Workshop, which was held at the Margaret
Patrick Memorial Centre, this spring, in Burns Lake, B. C.. The tone
of the program was upbeat and positive but a lot of questions
remained.
Justa Monk, respected leader of First Nation people in
Northern B.C., was the chairperson, and Monk stressed the importance
of, "What is the most precious resource within the community? He
reiterated that, "These social issues greatly impacted our
communities in which we live. Furthermore, think about those little
babies and kids." The conference participants want to advise that drinking must not occur during pregnancy.
Barb Martens, who is affected with FASD, shared her
experience, "With the challenges that life brings me, I have
many strengths such as writing, reading, singing, scrap booking,
cooking, cleaning, walking, shopping, computer skills, attending the
FOCUS program, crafts and being a faithful, loyal friend. Family is
important to me."
Martens said that, "We are real people with a real heart
and real feelings. We are normal and want to be treated nice. Not
like we are nothing or that we don't count." She senses that,
"More programs and more support are needed for people with
FASD."
Mildred Joseph shared her personal experience of living with
the disorder, "In regular school, the teachers didn't know
anything about FASD back then. All those years, I was going to
school, I learned to read and I used to like Math, but it was kind of
hard to get help with just one teacher in our class. Right in the
classroom it was very hard and when we don't do our work properly,
some kids used to call us dummies."
She stressed that, "That made us have low self-esteem. I
used to be scared sometimes, because we couldn't understand how to do
our work sometimes." She mentioned, "Some of the
challenges, I have in my everyday life are keeping up with going to
school, budgeting, handwriting, my memory, and a lot of the big words
when I am reading, I don't understand what they mean or how to
pronounce them."
The Positive Living Northwest service provides information on
grief and loss, harm reduction, and supports people of all nations
who are affected with HIV AIDS. They cover the Northwest regions of
Smithers, Houston, and Hazelton, B.C..
Donna Lee Sabastian, of Positive Living Northwest, mentioned
that, "Seventy four percent of our First Nations people are
affected by HIV/AIDS, where they are dying in their early 20's, 30's,
and 40's." She stressed that, "You better educate yourself.
The youth and the elders are the key, where there's a need, there's a
demand." She added that, "We come into this world with a
choice."
Nancy James, Health Director, of the Lake Babine Nation, said
that, "There is a lot of repetition from last year. But there is
new people and new enthusiasm, where we try to reach everybody."
In conclusion, Justa Monk said that, "How could we make
one thing happen? Put these recommendations into action and follow-up
in the near future."
He stressed that, "I appreciate the concerns you have and
appreciate your listening in, because you care. It takes the whole
nation to implement change." At least 200 people attended the
Workshops. Another Workshop will be coming up, within the Lake Babine
Nation, in the fall time.
Henry Michell is a member
of the Babine Nation and lives in Burns Lake, B.C., and a recent
contributor to Native Journal newspaper, Canada’s First Nation and
Aboriginal news source.
PHOTO CREDIT:
Henry Michell
Picture #0835-from left to
right, Justa Monk, chairperson,
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