Photo courtesy of Manfred Joehnck
More than a hundred children, accompanied by the band council of the Piapot First Nation, staged a sober walk this morning to recognize and celebrate a youth-driven resolution to make the First Nation drug and alcohol-free.
Wearing t-shirts that read, “We choose to live for what we believe in,” the students took to the road to stage the march, which ended at the school, where a barbecue and celebration was held.
The resolution was proposed by the band’s junior council, and was quickly and unanimously supported by the band and chief. Student Chief, Thomas Kaiswatum, says he has seen the damage drugs and alcohol can do.
“It has affected my family a lot,” he said. “I have recently lost my mother to alcohol, so that has had a big impact on me.”
Chief Jeremy Fourhorns thanked the students and congratulated them for taking the initiative and setting a new course for the next generation. He says it is important to listen to the voices of youth.
“There are times when that youth voice is not heard,” he said. “There are times when it is not solicited, so having them step forward and do this for our community is a very big positive.”
The chief says while not everyone may be in favour of a dry reserve, most everyone respects the direction it is taking and will work to comply with the rules.
The Piapot First Nation is about 50 kilometres northeast of Regina.