Biblical-based addictions program needs support

To the Editor:
I had the good fortune of working with some older Chiefs like Chief Simeon McKay from Kasabonika Lake and Chief John Bighead from Wunnumin Lake who could not speak a word of English when I was working for Grand Council Treaty 9.
This is one of their teachings.
Before we ask government to help our people – we must do the initial work through our own means. In essence, the grassroots approach.
The non-Native system tells our people that our chiefs must set the agenda. This is not our way and you can see all the problems which have been created. In short, the non-Native political winds set the agenda and our chiefs are forced to follow the money.
We know the Bible teaches money is the root of all evil and therein lies the paradox. Our chiefs expect government money to fix our problems and for those of us who live in our communities – we know that with every new program which is developed – a new set of more difficult problems is visited upon our people.
Our chiefs and their organizations believe money will fix our problems – our chiefs and their organizations believe any ‘new’ program will fix our problems.
As Christians, we believe money is the root of all evil but like Isaiah 45:7 tells us – God creates both peace and evil. In essence, money can also be used for good.
Non-native governments know how to keep our people from working together and they use money to achieve their purpose by setting the agenda for any program they fund. Our chiefs know this but still, they just go with the flow. I understand the need for our chiefs and their organizations to want to be seen as doing something about our problems.
In doing so, they create more problems for our people.
The other problem, at least for the people in our Far North communities is our chiefs accept what is not entirely beneficial or helpful. Most of our people have accepted Christianity – that is who we are – we are Christians. However, the funds and programs which our chiefs and their organizations accept do not work from who we are … as Christians. It is only logical that what the chiefs accept will not work for our people.
What needs to be done?
We must start the work. We must work with those gifts which God gave to each of us. Each one of us has part of the answer. It is not the non-Native government and their money which has the answer. It is our own people who have the answer. We have to give value to those gifts which God has given to our people.
We must start the work of addressing prescription drug abuse. We cannot allow our chiefs and their organizations to try and fit what we want into a non-Native government program just because they can provide the money. This hasn’t worked in the past and this kind of approach will not work in the future.
We need to do the initial work. The seed must be planted by what God has provided. We are Christians and the Bible must be used.
How can this be done?
Treaty 9 must be made to work as envisioned by our grandfathers. There are two sovereign nations in this treaty relationship and it was not meant for one party to ‘lord’ over the other treaty party.
We are to share this land and its resources. It was not meant for one party to have ownership over and decide how the money from our lands and resources is to be used. This is not how a treaty relationship works.
What is the initial work?
We must fund the initial work. We must do the initial work. This work will start in January. With all the hopes of our people as we enter the New Year; we will begin this work.
Thank You, God Bless and Happy New Year.
Mike Morris
Member of
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Nation