Dozens of Ditidaht First Nations members took part in Wellness Week activities that brought resource people to the community to share health information.
The idea came from discussions between Ditidaht’s clinical counsellor Donna Brown and Ruby Ambrose, southern region coordinator of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Teechuktl (Mental Health Program).
“Donna said that every November something is done in Ditidaht and it’s usually related to alcohol and drug abuse prevention, but this year there were some issues with funding so we got together to come up with ideas to bring people into the community,” said Ambrose.
A group of former residential school students from Ditidaht formed their own support group, which has helped them to be more open to healing work.
The NTC has resources that Ambrose has access to but she also has contacts for support services and programs outside of the NTC. Invitations went out and many came to Nitinaht Lake to make presentations and give information to the people.
On the first day of Wellness Week, Nov. 12, high school students from the local school joined the adults for a screening of the film We Were Children, a Canadian documentary film about aboriginal children’s experiences in residential schools.
Everyone watching the film, teachers and RCMP members included, took part in debriefing exercises following the film. After people finished sharing their thoughts there was a group brushing ceremony to help people feel cleansed of negative energy.
“Everything just seemed to fall naturally into place,” said Ambrose. Following lunch people came back to the hall with drums and began singing and talking about culture.
The following day resource people came into the community to deliver presentations and set up information booths.
Jaclyn Seitcher, NTC nurse, was there to provide information on diabetes and to test blood sugar levels and check blood pressures.
Matilda Atleo, senior community health development worker, shared information about diet and nutrition.
Robyn Samuel of Nuu-chah-nulth Employment Training Program (NETP) outlined what resources are available from her organization for people seeking employment or skill development.
Darren Saare, a VIHA social worker, talked about services available from the province designed to protect seniors.
He said elder abuse is common and has many forms. From physical abuse to neglect to stealing, elders are often the target of abuse and may feel helpless to protect themselves.
Saare acts on reports of abuse. People who report suspected elder abuse are assured their identity is protected and social workers will go to check on senior citizens to offer support and services.
Stan Matthew of the NTC Quu-asa Program talked about holistic wellness and how we must nurture our mental, physical, spiritual and emotional selves in balance.
Carolyn Pickett from Nanaimo is a gambling addiction counsellor. She made a presentation about gambling addiction and provided information about where people may get help.
On day three Ditidaht leadership brought in several people to help the community with self-care. They included a hair stylist, a cedar weaver, a masseuse, and even a psychic.
Later in the day, Vina Robinson and Reg Sam of the Teechuktl Program delivered a presentation on self-empowerment.
Ambrose says the community will likely plan a similar event in Nitinaht Lake for next November. An event like this promotes healing and raises awareness of health issues faced by people in the outlying communities.
Besides the start of the former residential school support group, the women of Ditidaht have formed their own support group.
