By Lara Fominoff @fomsy1 on Twitter

Dozens of youth sign up for Blood Tribe First Nation’s Run Against Drugs

Aug 7, 2017 | 9:37 AM

STAND OFF –  More than 30 youth have signed up for a “Kids Against Drugs Run,” to be held August 16 and 17 on the Blood Tribe First Nation.
 
Organizer Pamela Little Bear says a “Sobriety Run” was held earlier this year, and it went so well, the kids wanted to once again take a stand. This time, against the drug issues that have affected the community in recent years.
 
“The kids wanted to run. They wanted to pray, and they wanted to run for siblings and cousins or mothers who are still using. They want to pray for them and just help them out. We want that awareness out there. It has affected a lot of kids on the reserve, not just our reserve, but all over.”
 
Little Bear says kids are among those affected the most by those closest to them who are using. She says they can be indescribably hurt by what they see and experience.
 
But she explains that there are also those like her, who want to set a good example. Little Bear herself has been sober for nine years.
 
“The problem has gone down because we’re doing a lot of stance on it. We’re making sure that the drug dealers know that we don’t want them here on the reserve. There’s a lot of help out there now. Before, there wasn’t that much help.”
 
Today, she says they want to encourage those who are using, to get help.
 
“Everyone here has been affected by it.”
 
The run will begin at 8 a.m. August 16, and registration and waiver forms need to be signs for anyone interested in participating.
 
There will be a camp out and sweat later in the day and overnight  at the Chiefmoon Sundance area.
 
Little Bear says they’ve done some fundraising already, but they will still gratefully accept donations of healthy snacks, juice and/or water for the kids taking part in the run.
 
For more information, contact Pamela Little Bear:
 
alemap110@gmail.com, or 403-892-6554.