Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness: because a child’s life depends on it
THUNDER BAY—The 8th Annual International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day Honouring Mothers Mini Pow Wow was held on Friday, September 9, 2016, at Marina Park in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Nolen Paavola, a three month old infant and member of Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, was one of 189 participants this year. Handsome little Nolen reminds us why we do the work that we do; healthy babies, plain and simple.
Children playing in the area set up by Communities Together for Children, Best Start, reminds us of another reason we do what we do: to provide our next generation with the best start possible for their journey in this world. Healthy babies have a better chance of living healthy lives.
There was also a sad reminder of why we do what we do. During the Healing Song and dance, two women supported a young man who was visibly intoxicated and staggering. The young man was literally welcome to the event with open arms. Alcohol during pregnancy interferes with a child’s development and can cause them to experience many struggles in their life. Individuals with FASD are at increased risk of addictions.
A child’s lifetime depends on awareness of a simple principle: there is no known safe time for a woman to drink alcohol during pregnancy and no known safe amount.
The Aboriginal FASD Day Planning Committee consists of 10 local organizations. These Native and non-Native organizers ask you to please “Be a lifesaver: say no alcohol during pregnancy”.
We would like to take this opportunity to say chi miigwetch to the following organizations for all they do to protect our future generations: Anishnawbe Mushkiki, Union of Ontario Indians, Beendigen Inc., Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre, Ontario Native Women’s Association, Communities Together for Children/Best Start, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, Metis Nation of Ontario, and Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
Lynda Banning works for the Union of Ontario Indians in the Fort William First Nation Satellite Office. She is the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Regional Program Worker for the Northern Superior Region. She may be contacted by phone at 807-623-8887 or by email at lynda.banning@anishinabek.ca