Local royalty and flag bearers stand during the opening ceremony at the Sho-Ban Casino Hotel Chiefs Event center on January 27.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — A prevention gathering to heal from historic trauma and promote healing is the intent of the Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) said workshop organizers that is happening January 27 to 30 at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel.
Facilitators are Idella King, Leon LeaderCharge and C. Allison Baez from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHSA) training center.
Rainelle Edmo, Waapi Kani (Cedar House) staff member and Alcohol and Drug Task Force member, said a grant was applied for through SAMSHSA to pay for the facilitators travel. Food cost came from the opioid settlement funds the Tribes received. The Fort Hall Business Council directed the Task Force to have a community event. She wanted to acknowledge the late Donna Honena as she touched a lot of lives around here, “I just really want to acknowledge her because she cared for our community and she was always there for our people. And so you know, just wanted to be that person to carry on for our people,” because she was one that did care and she was one who did start this task force way back, gosh I don’t even know when, before my time she said.
Joyce Hayes speaks at GONA (right) along with Rainelle Edmo, Waapi Kani (Cedar House) staff member
and Alcohol and Drug Task Force Member.
Fort Hall Police Chief Pat Teton is the Alcohol and Drug Task Force vice chairman. He’s worked for the Tribes for 27 years — 12 as police chief. The task force came about 10-12 years ago after the issues were discussed with the FHBC. Substance abuse is a big issue and it’s not just a police issue or Tribal Health issue. “It’s an issue for every department that the Tribe has whether it be 477, at Recreation or at the Trading Post, alcohol and drug issues touch every area. I think everybody in here, including myself, have family members that it has touched. So, with that said, we formed a committee. And with the committee we try to do different things,” he continued. He said the Task Force wants the community to be healthy because many are tribal members and believes they’re doing the best they can. The Police Department goes out and does drug recognition trainings for the different departments and they’re always present at community events.
GONA facilitator Idella King speaks to attendees.
“With this drug and alcohol task force, it’s been a slow road, but that’s just the way it goes,” Teton continued. “When you’re trying to heal an issue, it just doesn’t happen overnight. We didn’t get this problem overnight, and it’s not going to be solved overnight.” The police can’t just arrest everybody and think that’s going to solve the problem, “we have an addiction – a lot of them.” It’s a self-choice and sometimes people slip up. He noted it’s something people have to solve on their own. “It’s not easy, nothing in life is easy, but if you try, you can put your mind to it.” Teton said they’re trying to change the Law and Order Code because it’s outdated.
Travis Martin, Tribal Health & Human Services director, thanked everyone for attending. He’s excited for what GONA has in store for attendees and there’s been a lot of planning for it. It’s designed to foster healing and empowerment for individuals and families.
Miss Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Princess Gabrielle Appenay does the lords prayer.
The opening included Ghost Canyon Singers doing an introductory song while veterans brought in the flags, royalty and others danced in.
After the morning break an ice breaker occurred following by lunch. There were 80 people registered on Monday morning.