Workshops in archery, gun safety and target shooting, trapping and skinning, survival techniques, energy and traditional healing, and more were all part of the events on the Health and Wellness Days held at ?Esdialgh First Nation (Alexandria) earlier this month.
The health and wellness activities were held Feb. 5 to 10 and were well attended by people of all ages from several different Chilcotin, Shuswap and Carrier nations as well as by non-aboriginal people, says band councillor Norma-Jean Stump.
Nurses participated in providing information on diabetes, taking people’s blood pressure and providing foot care and a workshop was held on crime prevention. Presentations were made by motivational speaker Jon-Lee Kootnekoff, spiritual advisor Stacey Hanarah and traditional healer Catherine Haller.
Daveed Faubert presented the ceremonial teachings; Bruce Baptiste taught archery, Paul Grinder taught gun safety and target shooting; Jimmy Lulua taught survival techniques and Blaine Grinder taught trapping and skinning techniques.
A crime prevention workshop was held for children and youth with motivational speaker Johnny Mattice and Constable Shelley Visser.
Darlene McIntosh did energy healing work with people and Perry Alexander taught hoop dancing.
In a special ceremony Catherine Haller from Xeni Gwetin presented Mattice with a feather fan and an eagle whistle in honour of his contributions to the community as a role model, Stump said.
After spending many years behind bars Mattice really turned his life around and became a role model for the community, proof that it can be done, she said.
“Everyone needs to recognize the successful people and acknowledge the people who are productive members of our community and not only focus on the bad incidents,” Stump said.
The eagle whistle and feathered fan were made by Federal Corrections inmates at Activators Society and Aghelh Nebun in Prince George, she said.
Constable Visser was presented with the gift of a beaded feather and a drum.
Many door prizes such as gift cards and swimming, bowling and movie passes were also given out to participants.
“We were very happy the community quickly offered donations when they heard about our wellness days,” Stump said.