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Antoine Mountain
Guest columnist
Monday, July 2, 2007
I would just like to make mention here of an item in a recent issue of the Deh Cho Drum, that of a forum into how our traditional First Nations' healing practices can be used along with modern medicines.
It is no surprise to me that elder Minnie Letcher should be involved in doing this, and Dale Awasis, who is also Chief of the Thunderchild First Nations in Saskatchewan.
I should also observe, friends, that I recently sat in on a Dene Nation/AFN meeting here in Somba K'e/Yellowknife, one in which the topic of our health, or lack of same, was included. Amongst others, we heard from elder Isadore Tsetta, of Dettah, that it has become almost standard practice here in the North for an elder to have to wait a long time to even be seen by a doctor, and then to be simply sent home with an aspirin and a word to call back later.
So, and it is good for me to note that our First Nations' holistic ways are now being seriously considered as a medical alternative.
Indeed, one of the side issues is that the patient involved in seeking a traditional cure for their own health problems are also expected to be responsible for the results, which, to me, anyway, friends, is a positive and logical step ahead.
I have found that in our traditional practices, in the majority of cases the patient already knows what is wrong with them, and so mainly has to have this confirmed and thus treated by a healer.
On the other hand a doctor prescribing pills can, and does, go on for years simply dispensing an expensive on-going 'remedy' for the problem.
So, and I am pleased to consider that we are at the very least taking a look at a viable alternative for our expensive health concerns here in the North. I do know, too, that there are many of our own Dene elders who have never been to a doctor, and who already know and thus rely on time-honoured traditional ways to heal themselves.
Too, like the cash payouts for we the survivors of the former residential schools, we are constantly being presented with yet another bureaucratic or a financial solution for our condition here.
While this money may come in handy for some, many will abuse it with alcohol, and besides, we have always depended on and still do need our own professionals, like healer Dale Awasis more than ever, with the able assistance of Northerners like Minnie Letcher to see us through to a healthier future.
Tapwe, and Masi Cho!
- Antoine Mountain is a Dene artist and writer originally from Radilih Koe'/Fort Good Hope. He can be reached at www.amountainarts.com