Sam English, nationally known American Indian artist who lives and paints in Albuquerque, N.M., was a keynote speaker at the Minigoziwin (Freedom) substance abuse awareness workshop. English, Red Lake Chippewa and Turtle Mountain Chippewa, used Indian humor in sharing some of the events of his battle with alcohol addiction. Photo by Mike Smith

Lac Courte Oreilles, Wisconsin (OA)

At a workshop that explored substance abuse issues affecting our communities, our health, and our children, Anishinaabe values were utilized to examine topics including historical trauma, recovery, traditional alternatives to substance use, adult children of alcoholics issues, prevention, and community-based programs.

“Minigoziwin” (Freedom), an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Awareness workshop sponsored by Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College Aug. 30 - 31, was attended by over 100 members of the Lac Courte Oreilles, Bad River, Red Cliff, St.Croix and Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe communities.

Jerry Smith, Lac Courte Oreilles spiritual and cultural advisor, opened the program with an Ojibwe prayer and blessing. He is a gifted Ojibwe speaker, known for his ability to narrate the traditional stories of the Ojibwe. Following Jerry’s opening prayer was a warm welcome from Interim LCOOCC President Agnes Fleming.

Nick Hockings, Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe, presented a keynote address, “Traditional Alternatives,” gave a vivid description of his life as he struggled to overcome an addiction to alcohol. Relying on his cultural beliefs and traditions, he went on to become a distinguished lecturer and presenter of Ojibwe customs. Nick is an artist, storyteller, and certified teacher of Ojibwe language and culture.

He is the owner of Waswagoning, a traditional Ojibwe village located on the Lac du Flambeau Reservation. Waswagoning is open to the general public during the summer months, and is complete with tools, dwellings and artifacts used hundreds of years ago.

Nick continues to travel nationally and internationally to share his knowledge of Ojibwe customs, and is also the Director of the “Waswagoning Dance Theatre.” He is the lead dancer for the nationally known group “A Call for Peace.” You can reach him at nick@waswagoning.com or 715.588.3560.

A keynote address, “Overcoming Historical Trauma,” was delivered by Sam English, nationally-known American Indian artist who lives and paints in Albuquerque, N.M. Born in Phoenix, Ariz., he is the son of Samuel E. English, Red Lake Band of Chippewa, and Blanche Delome English, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, where Sam is an enrolled member.

Sam has been honored with numerous awards from American Indian art shows around the country, and has been commissioned by many agencies around the country to create poster print images. He established a non-profit organization in Albuquerque, The National Healing Center for Native American Spirituality and the Performing Arts.

Sam presented an inspiring and poignant account of his struggles to overcome a life of alcohol abuse. He used Indian humor as he shared many humorous and touching events of his life, a life nearly destroyed by addiction to alcohol.

On the second day of the workshop, Sam coordinated a community mural painting session for workshop participants. The process of painting the mural demonstrated that painting and other fine arts can be used as one method of healing our people from the devastation of alcohol and drug abuse. This activity was quite therapeutic, with many adult participants indicating that they hadn’t handled a paint brush or painted a picture “in years.”

The Minigoziwin Workshop planning committee dedicated the workshop to Harold and Wanda Frogg, lifetime advocates of Indian Sobriety. Donations of artwork by Sam English and Sara Balbin were presented to the Froggs by the planning committee, Thelma Nayquonabe, Monica White, Ann Marie Penzkover, Katherine Marson, Erik Redix, Annette Wiggins, Jennifer Bunker, and Agnes Fleming.

Some of the presentations for the two day workshop included Family Effects, Recovery, Traditional Communication, Family Life, Post Traumatic Stress, an Elders Panel, Alcohol and Domestic Abuse, and Having Fun in Recovery.

Other events included a drum social, with songs by the Badger Singers and the Boys & Girls Club Singers, including Inter-tribal and ikwenagamonan (women’s dance songs). The Lac Courte Oreilles Family Services Program provided sandwiches and soft drinks.

A Children’s Activity Center was coordinated by Lisa Clemens, for those participants too young to attend the regular sessions. A traveling song was presented at the close of the workshop by the Badger Singers.

FMI: Thelma Nayquonabe, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College, 715.634.4790, Ext. 115, or e-mail: tnayquonabe@lco-college.edu