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COTE FIRST NATION — “It was an awesome turnout, a community event that demonstrated that we don’t want drug dealers here,” said Chief George Cote of Cote First Nation.

The drug and alcohol awareness demonstration was held at Badgerville at Cote First Nation June 18, when residents and visitors, carrying banners and signs, participated in a walk through the community.

In addition to residents of Cote First Nation, representatives were invited from Keeseekoose and The Key First Nations, said Lambert Cote, a Cote Band Councillor and organizer of the demonstration.

Before beginning the walk, participants assembled in the arena where Elder Frank James Cote offered a prayer and welcome remarks were said by Chief George Cote; Jonas Cote, principal of Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex; Chief Isabel O’Soup of the YTC (Yorkton Tribal Council), and Fabian Head of the Red Earth First Nation, who is the third vice-chief of the FSIN (Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations).

Participants in a walk held at Cote First Nation June 18 to raise awareness of drug and alcohol abuse assembled at the Cote Arena, where they were welcomed by Chief George Cote and heard a prayer by Elder Frank James Cote. | Photo by William Koreluik

After a drum group performed the Flag Song, the walk of about three kilometres started at the Cote arena, then wound its way through the streets of Badgerville before returning to the arena.

The walk will pass by the houses that were recently boarded up because of alcohol and drug abuse, Lambert Cote explained. “We want to open people’s eyes and ask for help.”

Various sentiments were expressed on the signs and placards carried by participants.

“Saving our children now and for future generations,” said one sign.

“Choose your babies, not substances,” said another. “Our children deserve healthy families.”

“Say no to drugs and alcohol and yes to sobriety.”

“Save our children. We want a clean community.”

Chief Cote said he was pleased to see representation from the RCMP, The Key and Keeseekoose First Nations, the FSIN and the YTC.

Vice-Chief Fabian Head said that it has been 150 years of healing and needing reconciliation, which is the stopping of the attacks on Indigenous ways of knowing and being and working in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding.

Abuses suffered in the past resulted in the high level of drug and alcohol abuse, he said, adding that awareness events such as this will bring communities together and produce a healthy nation.

First Nations people will again live in harmony like they did before the treaties were implemented, he said.

The demonstration concluded with the serving of a barbecue lunch to all participants.