Chief Jeff Copenace
@ChiefCopenace
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Elected Chief of the Ojibways of Onigaming ♡ 46 ♡ Recovering Alcoholic ♡ #RealAnishinaabePleaseStandUp ♡ My views
Ojibways of Onigaming
Joined January 2022
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Pinned Tweet
Anymore mining will leave little habitat left intact in Treaty
#3
to exercise Treaty Rights. Climate change, flooding, winds, forestfires and heatwaves threaten us, animals + fish.
We can preserve the forest + waters now. Over centuries its value will be limitless for next gens.
My biggest regret is working for the oil industry.
I was an addict. I sold out my teachings and values for money so I could drink every day.
The resource industry must end. Including mining. It's destroying lands, waters + increasing the climate crisis.
We can be sustainable.
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Today I am Six Years Sober. ♥️
On this day I had my last drink of alcohol.
I remember the call from the Treatment Centre. They said they finally had a bed free for me. All I had to do was say 'Yes'.
It took all the courage I had. I said yes. I saved my life. ♥️
#SoberGangster
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Today, it has been 7 years since my last drink of Alcohol. ❤
I am Jeff and I am an alcoholic.
Today, I went to the water to pray. I offered asemaa (tobacco) and gave thanks for my sobriety.
I also prayed to my sister Jenny. ❤ For my sister, I promise I will live for her.
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Day 1800 Sober:
In my last few years drinking, I struggled badly with alcohol addiction + thoughts of self-harm.
Almost everyday I'd say to myself: "Stay alive. Something will happen. Stay alive."
Then I finally got sober. Today I'm the elected Chief of Onigaming.
#AskForHelp
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My name is Jeff + I am an Alcoholic. I am 6 years, 2 months + 6 days sober. ❤
I have lost so many friends & family. It easily could have been me that died.
So today, my sobriety is dedicated to Creator for my life. ❤
It is a good day to love your life. ❤😇
#SoberGangster
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Today, I am 2681 days sober from alcohol, and I am 100 days clean from marijuana.
I am healthy. I am in love. And I am having fun. ❤️
Today I am grateful for life.
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@JustinTrudeau
@PattyHajdu
@OgichidaaKav
Today a young First Nations man died in Onigaming.
911 was called. The ambulance parked at the edge of our reserve + wouldn't come help.
As his family provided chest compressions, the paramedics let this young man die.
This is racism.
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Day 2297 Sober:
I stopped dancing at Powwows in 2013 because I began drinking alcohol every night.
Last year at 5 years sober, I finally returned to the Dancing Circle. ❤
Its a miracle to me to be alive, to dance again with family, showing my love and gratitude to Creator. ❤
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Day 2700 Sober. Day 124 Clean.
It's taken a lot of time & a lot of healing.
But I am finally starting to really love being me. ❤
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My little happy sober family. ❤️
This wasn't possible in addiction.
But years of hard work are now providing me with the greatest gifts that life can offer.
7 years sober from alcohol. 4 months clean from marijuana. Proud to be me.
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It has been 2500 days since my last drink of alcohol. ❤
My name is Jeff and I'm still an alcoholic. 💙
Best advice I ever got in those 2500 days: "Never stop trying (to quit drinking)". ❤
Love yourself & know you are never alone. 💙
#SoberGangster
#WeCanBeHeroes
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I am grateful and proud to be in the Wanaki Centre Addictions Treatment Program. ❤️
First Nations men and boys deserve to get help.
First Nations men and boys deserve to be alive, clean and sober.
First Nations men and boys deserve to be healthy and happy. 🙂
#SoberGangster
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Day 2343 Sober:
Miigwech Onigaming. I've been re-elected Chief.
I'm dedicating this to those who've lost someone they love & grieving. I know what it feels like. Pls remember we are still here. Life is still possible. You are loved. I pray you find peace. Tonight is for you. ❤
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Today, I graduated from my Addictions Treatment program at the Wanaki Centre.
I dedicate my graduation to my niece Alaya and my sister Jenny. ❤️
I am now 2651 days sober from alcohol.
I am 77 days clean from marijuana.
After so much grief, I feel so inspired to live again. ❤️
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Me and my Papa. ❤️
Celebrating 90 days clean from marijuana.
And celebrating 2665 days sober from alcohol.
Grateful to be alive and happy to have love in my life. ❤️
#SoberGangster
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Day 2400 Sober:
In 2017, I entered Detox/Treatment for a 3rd time.
I moved away from family for 3 years to get help to stop drinking & for my feelings of suicide.
It was a sacrifice I made to save my own life. ❤ It worked.
Sobriety & Life are possible.
#YouAreNeverAlone
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There was a big crowd of family and community members trying to save this young man's life. ♥️
We could see the ambulance from our band office refusing to come help.
Everyone in the community could see them sitting there as this young man passed away.
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My beautiful Anishinaabe niece. ❤
We don't want to be assimilated.
We want to be Anishinaabe. ❤
#ProudtobeAnishinaabe
#OjibwaysofOnigaming
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Day 2469 Sober:
Back in my addiction, I was so suicidal, I would cry + ask Creator 'Why me?'
I used to beg myself 'Stay alive, Something will happen '.
I wish I could go back in time.
I would tell young me: 'Something did happen. We did it. We got sober.'
Never give up. ❤
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Day 2231 Sober:
During my addiction, I pushed away my family. The more suicidal I became the less I wanted them nearby me. ❤
Once I stopped drinking, it took years to earn back trust + get back together.
It was worth every effort to sober up + finally get my family back. ❤
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Pls Retweet:
We're facing more deaths in Onigaming including a youth suicide + an overdose death. Its hard not to be angry especially at
@PattyHajdu
.
Last year after an overdose death I begged her for a youth crisis center. She told me if we got one, that we wouldn't use it. 💔
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Nuclear Energy is not clean.
It uses massive amounts of water.
There is no solution for the nuclear waste except to bury it or dump it in the ocean.
Anishinaabe youth, women & Elders that we listen to don't want nuclear waste buried in Treaty
#3
territories or near our waters.
⚡️⚡️Clean, reliable energy is Ontario’s future! ⚡️⚡️
Minister
@ToddSmithPC
announced that Ontario will be beginning work to build a new large-scale nuclear power plant that will generate up to 4,800 megawatts of clean power - equivalent to 4.8 million homes.
#NetZero
#cdnpoli
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I have begun a Wellness Program with the Wanaki Centre based in Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Nation.
Since my sister passed away, I've really struggled. So I asked for help. ❤
I'm committed to completing my wellness program, getting healthier & then returning to my role as Chief.
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I recently graduated a traditional Anishinaabeg virtual program. ❤️
I begin a residential treatment program shortly & graduate in June.
It's been hard to be happy since my sister died 2 months ago.
Recovery means I have accomplished something. ❤️
Today, I feel happy & proud.
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Happy bday Rt. Hon. Paul Martin (and my bday too)! 🥳
21 yrs ago, he hired me. I was the 1st First Nations advisor in the Prime Ministers Office. We did the
#KelownaAccord
.
My family calls him Uncle Paul + he was the first PM truly committed to working w/ First Nations leaders.
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There is no such thing as "Clean" nuclear energy or nuclear waste.
First Nations across the country are fighting against the burial of Nuclear Waste near our drinking waters.
No amount of money or bribes will change our fight against the burial of nuclear waste near our waters.
This is what used nuclear fuel looks like in 🇨🇦.
Contained. Safely monitored. A solid. Safe.
Spoiler: it’s not like what you see on the Simpsons.
Every single one of these dry storage containers contains fuel bundles that have powered where Ontarians live, work, and play.
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Pls Retweet Video. ❤
First Mining Gold
@FirstMining
: You are Trespassing!
These are Anishinaabe Lands + Waters. ❤ We stand against you.
Our Elders have directed us to Protect the Water for all future generations, for all First Nations and our neighbors.
#PDAC2023
@the_PDAC
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I didn't realize celebrating Pride was still an issue until the
@NHL
decided that Pride jerseys were "a distraction".
So here are some beautiful photos of the children in Onigaming at our School Pride Walk & raising the Pride Flag. 🏳️🌈❤💜💛
It's our 4th annual Pride event. 🏳️🌈❤
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@PattyHajdu
Her exact words were: "Chief, lots of First Nations get youth crisis centers and they don't use them".
I was lost for words. 💔
I replied to her: "Minister, I am f'n begging you. We will use it. We need safe sober beds. We are desperate."
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Our family would like to announce Services for our beloved Jenny Copenace:
A traditional Wake will start in Onigaming on Sat. 16th at 3 p.m.
A traditional Funeral will take place in Onigaming on Sun. 17th @ 10 a.m. conducted by Elder Ron Indian Mandamin.
Miigwech. ❤
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Day 2543 Sober:
Last night we learned my younger sister Jenny passed away. 💔 My sobriety is now dedicated to her.
She leaves behind her beautiful 15 yr old daughter Alaya.
I promised my niece that we will always take care of her. And that her mom will always be with her. ❤
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@PattyHajdu
Please speak to your federal and provincial representatives and ask them to help the Ojibways of Onigaming during our State of Emergency.
We are begging for your help to end our State of Emergency for our youth and future generations.
Miigwech. ❤
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Miigwech Premier
@WabKinew
for coming home to be with all your relatives. ♥️
Your message to our children + youth to stay focused on education was very much welcome.
As I said, you are like our very own Barack Obama. That is how we see you, love you and are inspired by you. ♥️
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Day 2448 Sober:
3 years ago, my Papa held my hand for the 1st time that I remember in my life. ♥️
My Papa was sick. He said over + over again "Pls don't go".
That night I decided to move home to be with him.
I never planned to be Chief. But that's what started it all. ♥️
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Today, the Ojibways of Onigaming held a Grand Opening for our new Sober Living Home/Recovery Home. ❤️
We have done most of this work to create safe sober spaces on our own, but grateful to Canada & Ontario for their support to see this Safe Sober Living Home become a reality. 💙
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22 yrs ago, I was hired as a summer student @ the Assembly of First Nations.
Next month I will attend the AFN General Assembly as Chief. ❤
I'll be joined by Onigaming Youth to address our State of Emergency on Suicides and Mental Wellness.
Miigwech
@AFN_Updates
for support!
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Day 2366 Sober:
Just for today, I am sober, amazed to still be alive, healthy, and in unconditional love with a beautiful partner. 💕
Grateful to make an offering of tobacco to Mother Earth tonight and to have a relationship with our kind, loving Creator. ❤
#SoberGangster
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"I want our young people and Families back home to know that they're loved and that they're respected and that their lives are worth it." ♥️
"I want to see more of our young peoples and families at these discussions." ❤️
#2023AFNSCA
@AFN_Updates
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I'm w a 13 yr old band member at
@LWDHospital
in Kenora. She is at risk of self harm w a bad cut on her wrist.
I asked for help. The nurses were rude, handed me gauze + tape and told me to do it.
This wouldn't happen if we were white.
@GrandCouncilT3
@GregRickford
@PattyHajdu
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Miigwech
@beynate
MP Nate Erskine-Smith for visiting the Ojibways of Onigaming & attending our beautiful Powwow. ❤
We need more compassion, love + empathy in elected leaders, especially for First Nations, who have made this land and waters our homes for thousands of years. ❤
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Pls Rt:
Today, Onigaming planned to meet with Sr Officials from
@PattyHajdu
Indigenous Services Canada regarding the numerous young deaths in our families & our desperate request for a Youth Crisis Centre.
They sent junior note-takers to the meeting.
Canada does not care. 💔
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Onigaming First Nation suffered another death last night. 💔
There have now been at least 20 deaths in our families since August 2021. 💔
I fear I am witnessing the genocide + extinction of my own community.
@GregRickford
@JustinTrudeau
@MarcMillerVM
@PattyHajdu
@Eric_Melillo
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Mikinaak Onigaming School - Every Child Matters 2022 Walk + Ceremony w/ Elders, families and our beautiful students. ❤️
Our future is so bright. I told our children that I am the Chief to them first. The children are who we work for. We will fight as hard as we can for them. ❤️
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Today, a delegation from the Ojibways of Onigaming successfully moved and passed a national resolution at the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly 2024 to protect our waters.
It was called resolution
#68
-2024 "Protection of Drinking Water for Anishinaabe". ❤
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Today, the Ojibways of Onigaming had another house fire. The 2nd house fire this year.
We are also having another funeral this weekend. There have been so many funerals the past year. 💔
Please pray for us as we continue to try to lift our State of Emergency.
#Onigaming
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A nice visit with an old friend, National Chief Cindy Woodhouse.
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Miigwech
@AFN_Updates
National Chief
@ChiefRoseAnne
+
@cblackst
of the FN Child and Family Caring Society for mtg with our Youth from the Ojibways of Onigaming, Savannah Prince + Autumn Sandy. ❤
You are our heroes. Miigwech for your support to end our State of Emergency. ❤
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There is no such thing as "Clean" nuclear energy.
It uses massive amounts of water.
The Nuclear Waste has to be either buried under the Earth or dumped into the Ocean.
First Nations across the country are fighting against the burial of Nuclear Waste near our drinking waters.
It was truly a pleasure to moderate a great discussion on small modular reactors with Jim Ward (
@NSMDCEnergy
), Aida Cipolla (
@opg
), Clarice Madalena, Jill Baker (
@CanadaNuclear
) and Dakota Kochie (
@dakotakochie
).
Thanks to everyone who attended.
#FNMPC2024
#SMRs
#Nuclear
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Today
@GrandCouncilT3
signed an agreement with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization to begin site selection to bury
#nuclear
waste in Treaty
#3
for $5,895,575.00
I fiercely opposed the agreement. I fought for the environment.
But the Treaty 3 Chiefs are proceeding w NWMO.
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Today on Remembrance Day, the Ojibways of Onigaming want to honour our very own Onigaming Band Member, Hart Holmstrom.
Veteran Holmstrom joined the RCAF in 1954. He was 18 years old at the time...
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Only a woman would be treated this way by the Chiefs. Only a woman would get this treatment.
The Chiefs would never treat a male National Chief like this. Never.
The AFN's executive committee passed a resolution on Friday to recommend chiefs-in-assembly remove RoseAnne Archibald as national chief at their next meeting, CBC News has learned.
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Today, I signed a Mutual Cooperation Protocol w/ the Land Defence Alliance. ❤
We are losing more young lives unnecessarily + our way of life is under attack.
'If you are not going help save our lives, then you cannot have access to the lands and waters". - Chief Jeff Copenace
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Only a woman would be treated this way by the Chiefs. Only a woman would get this treatment.
The Chiefs would never treat a male National Chief like this. Never.
Let’s be perfectly clear, this has never been a smear campaign but rather a search for the truth. Our Seven Grandfather Teachings are not hollow words to be weaponized or used as shields. They are to be practiced. The truth will always prevail.
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Pls Retweet:
First Nation Chief planning second occupation of Anicinabe Park on 50th anniversary of the first
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Five Years Sober:
As I left a treatment centre in 2017, a counsellor told me:
"Stay on your path. Don't leave the path. They will come to you. They will all come to you. Never leave the path!" ❤
She was right. I stayed on the path. Life has come back to me. ❤
#SoberGangster
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The Ojibways of Onigaming honored Manitoba Premier
@WabKinew
at our Powwow this weekend.
We are so proud of our very own community member Wab for inspiring so many Indigenous Peoples across the world. Including inspiring our own young leaders in Onigaming. ❤️
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Miigwech Minister
@PattyHajdu
and Minister
@MarcMillerVM
for meeting with our Youth from Onigaming.
We appreciated the heartfelt discussions about our State of Emergency on Suicides + Mental Wellness. ❤
We hope to work together quickly to build supports for our young ones. ❤
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Today, my Papa is 100 days sober. ❤
This is a major achievement. He's done it while in hospital the past 3 months awaiting surgery.
For myself, my previous record for quiting drinking was 92 days without alcohol. It is hard to do. Nearly impossible without help. ❤
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I agree
@JustinTrudeau
is committed to First Nations. But he is getting bad advice.
First Nations are not seeing the dollars or changes. Get rid of the federal bureaucracy controlling us. They are making things worse. End the Indian Act + send the dollars to First Nations.
Indigenous reconciliation, like climate change, is an issue where Trudeau has gone so much further than the public demand, or even appetite, that his commitment should not be questioned
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I stand with National Chief
@ChiefRoseAnne
❤
I walked in the grand entry with dignity&grace. Eventually, my space at the headtable was created & my name tag arrived & I offered positive welcoming comments. Proves that I’m NOT suspended & my calls for
#transparency
#accountability
&
#truth
will be heard.
#AFNForensicAuditNow
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The Ojibways of Onigaming are excited to welcome AFN National Chief RoseAnne Archibald tomorrow. ❤
We are calling on all First Nations + all Chiefs across Canada to unite behind our 1st ever woman National Chief.
We hope to help raise awareness about our State of Emergency. ❤
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“If you’re tired of all of the deaths, and the funerals after funerals in First Nation communities across the country, then come and occupy Anicinabe Park."
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Today, Rainy River First Nations + local orgs hosted a BBQ at the Nugget Motel in Fort Frances to support First Nations community members who live here. ❤
Happy to be there w/ my friend Chief Marcel Horton. Inspired by some real, compassionate, loving, caring people today. ❤
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Day 1973 Sober:
Today my sobriety is dedicated to my Papa and Mama. ❤
#RiseOfTheAnishinaabe
#YouAreNeverAlone
#NeverGiveUpHope
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Ojibways of Onigaming canoe races are my favorite! 🌞🌏
Today, we celebrate the Anishinaabe, who made these lakes our home for centuries, long before the violent genocide by Canada against us.
The Anishinaabe are the most beautiful, resilient Peoples in the whole wide world. ❤
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The youth of the Ojibways of Onigaming were excited to meet and congratulate new
@AFN_Updates
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse in person today. ❤
20 years between the photos below, back when Cindy & I started working together as youth ourselves.
We will stand with you. ✊
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Young women leaders from the Ojibways of Onigaming spoke at the Assembly of First Nations Chiefs Assembly 2023. ❤
Very proud of them for leading a better path forward. ❤
#AFNAGA2023
#AFN
#aptn
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Day 1900 Sober:
In March 2017 in Treatment, a counsellor finally reached me at my lowest. I'd given up on life.
She convinced me I hadn't fallen as far as I thought. That I shouldn't give up yet. That I was closer to sobriety. She got me to try again.
Don't give up on us. ❤
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Ojibways of Onigaming Powwow 2022:
Visiting with the future Premier of Manitoba, Onigaming's own
@WabKinew
And dancing with my big brother Darren for the first time in a decade. ❤
#RiseOfTheAnishinaabe
#ItsPowwowTime
#ProudToBeSober
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Day 1947 Sober:
5 years ago, I started an aftercare addictions program at
@WabanoHealth
I was terrified of relapse. I almost lost my life in addiction. I lost everything.
Each day I was alive + sober was an achievement in itself.
Today I'm filled w
#Gratitude
.
#SoberGangster
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Today, I spoke as a guest on a one-hour call-in show called "Ontario Today" on CBC Radio. It plays across Ontario.
I spoke about the Gifts of Sobriety + how asking for help saved my life. ❤ I hope you give it a listen.
#SoberGangster
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B-side champions. Hurry hard! 🥌
Nestor Falls Curling Bonspiel 2024
Myrna Shebagegit Rink from the Ojibways of Onigaming
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The children of Onigaming just protested at our Band Office. They want new swing-sets at the school.
I'm so proud of them. They will get new swings. ❤
We will continue to do everything we can to lift the State of Emergency for Suicides and Mental Wellness in our First Nation.
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My biggest regret is working for the oil industry.
I was an addict. I sold out my teachings and values for money so I could drink every day.
The resource industry must end. Including mining. It's destroying lands, waters + increasing the climate crisis.
We can be sustainable.
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Onigaming joins land defence alliance, Copenace continuing fight against NWMO
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Miigwech
@AFN_Updates
National Chief
@ChiefRoseAnne
Archibald for your visit to the Ojibways of Onigaming. ❤
We will work together to educate our youth; We will protect our women + girls at all costs; And we will fight to preserve our lands + waters for the future. ❤
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This week the leaders of Onigaming and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls met.
We agreed to work together based on Treaty to ensure a sustainable future together.
This means recognizing our difficult true history + past; But committing to work towards a healthier future together. ❤
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