Rick Garrick — Wawatay News

Seven Reverend Tommy Beardy Memorial Wee Che He Wayo Gamik Family Treatment Centre staff members have earned Chemical Addictions Worker diplomas from the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology.
“It opened my eyes — I learned lots regarding addictions and alcohol and drugs,” said Muskrat Dam’s Joni Beardy during the August 8 graduation ceremony at the Airlane Hotel and Conference Centre in Thunder Bay. “It just made me see, not to judge, so many people that are stuck in their addictions. So I’m able to understand and see what it does.”

Suicide awareness and the sharing of experiences through photos were the focus at a recent Safetalk and Photovoice training workshop — one of three being held across Ontario this summer.
“I really liked that they combined the Safetalk with the Photovoice,” said Karlee Posine-Avila from Pays Plat First Nation during the Aug. 7-8 workshop, which was held last week in Thunder Bay. “I’m really interested in the Safetalk — that’s kind of my interest.”

Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund is looking to develop peer lending groups through its recently implemented Aboriginal Women’s Microloan Program.
“We’re hoping to have five-plus women in (each) group and only three at once can access the loan,” said Linda McGuire, NADF’s microloans project coordinator. “The women who are going to be accessing these loans are either women who are in business or expanding their business or want to start a business.”
McGuire said the groups also require one or two mentors with business or leadership knowledge.

Days after former Conservative senator Pamela Wallin was told to reimburse over $100,000 in inappropriately claimed expenses, KI’s John Cutfeet noted the fallout among federal Conservatives since Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike.
“When people were walking from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill, you had people yelling as people were marching saying ‘where’s the money?‘“ Cutfeet said. “If you can remember, the federal government chose that time to put forward the audits of Attawapiskat, about funds not being accounted for.”