Pubdate: Wed, 08 Oct 2008 Source: Barry's Bay This Week (CN ON) Copyright: 2008 OSPREY Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.barrysbaythisweek.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx Website: http://www.barrysbaythisweek.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3614 Author: Heather Kendall WALK FOR THE CHILDREN Community Of Pikwakanagan Backs War On Drugs Task Force In an effort to raise awareness and promote the efforts of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan's War on Drugs Task Force, a walk through the community took place last Wednesday afternoon. Children carrying placards with messages like "Our children our future" and "Say no to drugs" joined Chief Kirby Whiteduck, councillors, members of the task force and the community at large in the walk from the health centre to the community centre, a distance of more than two kilometres. "A lot of concern has been raised about drugs amongst our children," said Shirley Kohoko. "As adults, it's our responsibility to ensure the children grow up in a safe environment and stay healthy, both mentally and physically." In 2007, the Union of Ontario Indians passed a resolution supporting the First Nations war on illicit drug use and trafficking. The Algonquins of Pikwakanagan also supported the resolution. In a press release issued before the walk, spokesperson Lisa Meness stated the intent of the walk was to send a message that Pikwakanagan would not tolerate illicit drugs within the community. The task force was created to educate and raise awareness to the issue with the goal of ensuring a safe environment for today's children as well as future generations. The group has met with the Ontario Provincial Police and the chief and council to institute a plan of action to eliminate trafficking in the community. "In terms of social problems, we are no different than any other community in Renfrew County," said Chief Whiteduck. "However, Pikwakanagan is unique given the fact that our culture, heritage and identity was significantly impacted once the Algonquins settled on a small piece of reservation land... we have struggled to revive our culture, language and heritage and we must now protect it again in order that it may be passed down to our future generations. We cannot allow that process to be endangered by harsh substance abuse." Kohoko said children as young as 10 years old are targeted by drug dealers. The task force hopes to raise awareness in the general public as well as the First Nations community. "We hope this generates interest in other communities," she said. "Urban and rural areas everywhere have this problem." After the demonstration, a supper was held and personal stories were shared. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin