Tseshaht First Nation is hosting a gathering Friday April 5 that will celebrate sobriety.
The event, organized by Gail K. Gus, is called Relapse Prevention and Recovery Celebration Day. It will be held at Maht Mahs in Port Alberni beginning at 10 a.m.
The idea began to gel for Gus after a couple in the community, who has been struggling with crack addiction, said there is little aftercare for those who are trying to kick addictions.
Gus said she grew up in Tseshaht in a different time when there were many issues with drug and alcohol and the family violence that goes hand in hand with addictions. But today, she can point to many homes in the community that are sober homes. “Tons of houses,” she said are filled with home-grown resource people that others can rely upon during their journey.
She thought to herself, ‘Well, if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem’ and so she decided to gather people together to celebrate sobriety, whether it’s been a day or decades, those in recovery are invited to the day.
It will be a very informal event with soup and bread, tea and coffee served over the day. Bring your culture—a drum, some lahal sticks, a blanket to wrap around someone who has helped others through difficult times with sobriety.
There is only one thing for sure that is being planned. Gus has purchased a roll of paper that she is going to cut out human shapes to represent people who have been lost to alcohol and drugs, family violence or suicide. A couple of years ago, her son Ryan Peterson, committed suicide. She wants to remember him, feed him some soup and thank him for spending the time he did with her, she said.
There are others she will remember that day, and she is inviting the community to join her. There is no wrong time to drop by. There will be acknowledgement of people in the community that she will thank for their efforts, for advocating for people in the community.
“It’s a day that people will be able to see the resources in their own back yard. Ed Ross will be in charge of the cultural component. There will be cedar bark weaving for those interested in the skill. Gus said she is just going to let the day take its own shape.
So drop by when you can.
