Tribute event celebrates addictions recovery

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on November 6, 2024.

Herald photo by Alexandra Noad Willy Big Bull is given a Toronto Maple Leafs shirt by Nicholas the Encourager for his work in the Indigenous community at a Tribute to Recovery held at Southminister United Church on Friday.

People of all walks of life were able to enjoy a meal and partake in music at Southminster United Church. Kii-Maa-Pii-Pii-Tsin, an organization who helps those struggling with addiction and homelessness, recently held a Tribute to Recovery alongside Denis Grady from Franciscan and Friends, Kirby Smith, director of the Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council, Richard Red Crow and help from volunteers from The Watch.

During one of the musical performances from Nicholas the Encourager, he shared his experience of battling addiction.

Nicholas says he has been clean for one year and hopes to be able to encourage others to face their addictions and heal just as he did.

“There is a way. It all depends on your mind, your heart or whatever choices you make. It doesn’t matter where you come from or where you are, we never judge others,” he said.

Grady met Alvin Mills, founder of Kii-maa-pii-pii-tsin, about four years ago and has collaborated many times over the years.

Grady says about 25 years ago he remembers white knuckling it through the Blood Reserve, however, he now looks forward to seeing his Indigenous friends and hopes one day everyone will realize there is nothing to be afraid of and judging isn’t going to help anyone.

Grady says it was the judgement-free environment at Tribute to Recovery which allowed people of all walks of life to be able to enjoy the music, eat a meal and escape from the elements, something many of them desperately need.

“We have no idea what hard times they’ve fallen on. We have some First Nations members who have found recovery give their testimony say, ‘I’ve found a way out’ and this has great potency because they understand the landscape of addiction and what they say is full of encouragement,” said Grady.

Smith says it is important for all people to learn from each other to help build a better community for everyone.

“In the spirit of reconciliation to understand, or agree, that both First Nations and non-First Nations need to learn from each other. We need to learn from each other and we need to have a conversation about what is best for, not just the people, both individuals and communities, but also what’s best for people (who) are really suffering from their addictions and health issues and so on,” said Smith.

Smith added the Blood Tribe is doing their best to help alleviate what is happening to their people and hopes the City of Lethbridge, as well as other communities take it upon themselves to educate about the issues the Indigenous face instead of making judgements.

It is events such as the Tribute to Recovery, Smith believes, which allows those conversations to take place that come from wanting to understand, instead of judging.

“At the end of the day, it’s opportunities li what we’re experiencing here, just getting together, sharing music, sharing food (and) sharing learning opportunities. I think it goes a long way to showing that the effort is really there to understand,” said Smith.

Red Crow believes it is the littlest things, which make the biggest difference in people lives.

Things such as a handshake, a sandwich or even a smile can brighten someone’s day, something he tries to implement in his daily life.

“Our main focus is to make that difference. A little bit of difference goes a long way, you know, through a sandwich or encouragement through a hand or just a wave, knowing that I’m always out there when people need me, I’m just a phone call away,” said Red Crow.

Mills says he plans on hosting similar events in the future, but as the weather starts to cool down, he has his eyes set on protecting those at risk.

Mills is currently accepting donations for winter clothing for the unhoused population and is hoping to speak with the city to open a temporary shelter for people to sleep as when people are high, they don’t feel the cold as harshly and are suspectable to hypothermia.

Mills is also concerned about the lack of patrol, especially between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. as when that’s when most of the violence occurs.

“That’s when they’re on their own and a lot of violence in that time,” said Mills.

Another worry for Mills is the lack of services for those under 18.

He says there are about eight to 12 underage people living on the street who are falling through the cracks with the lack of resources available to them as most shelters only allow people above the age of 18.

“They are more exposed to the elements and so we need to create more awareness that the underage, the minors are (also) struggling with hard drugs,” said Mills.

Mills has attempted to create recovery camps to help streamline those who are seeking to get clean, as it is currently at least a month wait to get into any detox.

“We need to have a way to streamline the ones that wake up one day ready to go to detox,” said Mills.

His attempt to hold another one his recovery camps unfortunately fell through as he sought out funding from the Blood Tribe and was asked to find a place off reserve, which he did but financial resources prevented that camp from occurring.

Mills says he is committed in his purpose of helping those who need assistance.

“We will continue to fight for the at-risk and vulnerable members of Lethbridge,” said Mills.