Pubdate: Wed, 29 Jun 2005
Source: South Peace News, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 South Peace News
Contact:  http://www.southpeacenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2261
Author: Shay-Lee Savill, South Peace News

PEAVINE MAKES STATEMENT AGAINST DRUGS

The Peavine Metis Settlement held a walk against the use and selling
of drugs in their community on June 21.

The walk was meant to make a statement to drug dealers and users that
this kind of activity will not be tolerated in the settlement, says
Sharon Gauchier, Director of Education and Community for the settlement.

Obviously, this is an issue that the community feels very strongly
about. Expecting around 100 participants, organizers were pleasantly
surprised when 203 registered.

It was just a great success. It surpassed our expectations, says
Gauchier.

Planned in about a week, the walk was an exemplary showing of a
community pulling together.

Many creative signs were made by volunteers, people were organized to
make the supper that followed the walk, t-shirts were ordered, even
horses and a wagon were at the walk to accommodate those who would
have trouble with the distance.

The commitment coming from the people of Peavine to fight drugs is
amazing. Pam Rudolf, mother of four, was just one of the many people
who spoke to South Peace News about how they felt this was a problem
that needed to be dealt with now.

It's about time our community speaks up, says Rudolf. Drugs lead to
violence and for Peavine it's a big problem. It's great we're speaking
up and I think other communities should do the same."

Prizes were awarded to the oldest participant Nora Cunningham, whose
is 93, as well as the youngest participants: Nolan Noskey, two months,
and Tamara Noskey, eight months. The painting awarded to the oldest
participant was voluntarily donated by Wildrose Furniture.

Peavine would also like to thank the council for supporting the walk,
all participants, the volunteers, deSigns BY TAM for the t-shirts, and
the ladies that cooked the supper. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake