Coast Mountain News Thursday, April 24, 2014
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Serving the Bella Coola Valley and the Chilcotin
JR LaRose visits Bella Coola
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Vol. 30 | No. 8 Thursday, April 24, 2014
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Cindy Siwallace photo
hollywood star Adam Beach was in Bella Coola and joined the 13th annual Walk of hope
‘Arctic Air’ star Adam Beach joins 13th annual Walk of Hope By Caitlin thompson Celebrating their 13th year, the Nuxalk Nation’s Snxlhh Transition House’s annual Walk of Hope featured an impressive turnout and a special guest: Hollywood movie star Adam Beach. The Transition House has been operational since 1998, offering safe shelter to women experiencing abuse and various counseling and educational outreach programs aimed at stopping family violence. The Walk of Hope is their annual event intended to raise awareness around violence, in particular violence against women. Successful First Nations actor Adam Beach was brought in as a motivational speaker to coincide with the Walk of Hope and the first local students’ completion of the Chemical Addictions Worker Certificate Program, known as CHAD. Thirteen students have completed the first portion of the certificate program, offered by the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, through Lip’alhayc College. Beach’s presence, aimed mainly at the youth, was part of the celebration of these achievements. Graduates of the CHAD program offered presentations
on their experiences, which were overwhelmingly positive. Graduate Ron Schooner, who presented on addiction, said the program changed his life. “It’s time to end the cycle of trauma and abuse because we turn to addiction to cope,” said Schooner. “These addictions cause more hurt and problems in the long run, we need to take it on, one by one.” Joyce Webber, who presented on Self, Health, and Wellness, spoke from the heart about how the program opened her eyes to the effects trauma had on her own life. “We need to decolonize our minds,” said Webber. “Tell your kids you love them, show them affection. Residential school took so much away, it’s time to take it back.” The CHAD program’s community presentation included booths from Bella Coola Community Support Society, Bella Coola Home and Community Care, the Snxlhh Transition House, RCMP, Tsow-Tun- Le Lum, Lip’alhayc College, the Nuxalk Nation, and First Nations Health. “I think the most important thing we learned is that the healing needs to take place here,” said graduate Nola Mack. “We need to do it together, in our territory, in our home.” It was within that spirit of
young local artist Ses Saunders presented Beach with an original piece. healing that Beach, who spent three days in Bella Coola, shared his personal story of childhood trauma, loss, and abuse, and how he overcame these challenges to enjoy a successful Hollywood career as an actor. Born on the Dog Creek First Nation in Manitoba, Beach lost both his parents within months of each another. His mother, eight
months pregnant at the time, was hit by a drunk driver outside his home. His grief-stricken father drowned eight weeks later. “Losing my parents, the people I loved most in the world, changed everything,” Beach shared. “I lost all my fear because I had nothing left to lose; it had already been taken from me.” Beach and his two brothers
were initially sent to live with their grandparents, and later on with their aunt and uncle in Winnipeg. It was during his teen years that Beach was surrounded by alcohol and drugs and hanging out in gangs. It all could have gone very differently if he hadn’t found his culture. SEE YOUTH ON PAGE 3