Pubdate: Wed, 21 May 2008
Source: Caledonia Courier (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Fort Saint James Courier
Contact:  http://www.caledoniacourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3189
Author: Amanda

DRUG ADDICTS MOVING TO TOWN

Editor:

Hi my name is Amanda and I am an addict, and the topic today is "Open
Speech."

I am a Nak'azdli band member, an affectionate mother, and a hard-core
user. I would like to talk about the "removal of drug addicts" on
Nak'azdli Indian Reserve.

I am from the Carrier Nation, born into the Frog Clan, and lived here
ever since. I am very angry with the Nak'azdli Band for the way it is
treating my issue, my addiction. I feel threatened by eviction from my
house because I am an addict, but who cares what I feel, I am just a
CRACKHEAD.

Although I was not always like this, I was a good mother once, and
probably still am. I was also taught by my granny to hunt and fish at
a very young age. Those techniques I will never forget. I will always
remember that I am Indian that I was once told that we should stand
together, but that is not what is happening.

Within the last year the Nak'azdli boasts that it shut down two
infamous drug houses, and that the reserve will change. HA! Now, I
would like to ask The Village of Fort St. James, the off reserve, and
"Nado" land, where do you think we are all moving to?

That's right, into your neighborhoods, because the Nak'azdli Band's
way of a quick fix-it solution is to evict us and refuse us future
rental units.

I would like to add that I did the whole treatment thing, and I was
clean for almost a year. I came home to Nak'azdli to find that I was
left with no follow-up program and no funding. Recovery programs were
scarce. All my band had to offer was, basically, a few words of
wisdom. This is what I felt. I was told by people of trust, that maybe
I should consider moving away, permanently. Why? Why should I leave
the place I was born and raised? This is where I am from, it is my
home. I never want to leave. I relapsed.

Lastly, honestly, the three reasons of this letter was:

1. To let all who reside of reserve what a problem the Nak'azdli is
throwing your way, and what are going to do about it?

2. I want a realistic agreement involving my only home and the band to
work with me, regardless of past decisions that I have made. I am an
addict.

3. I suggest my band seek a more humanely solution about their
addiction problem. After all, we are human.

Amanda
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MAP posted-by: Derek