Jonathan Kakegamic wants his students to know there is another form of support available to them.
“I really believe that we need to believe in something,” said the principal of Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School. “It’s important that we teach our youth that the practice of prayer is so important to everyone’s daily life.”
On Monday, DFC hosted a gathering to celebrate the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Day of Prayer, an annual event set aside by NAN Chiefs-in-Assembly for community healing. It was established in 2002.
“All of us in NAN territory are praying for our issues, our youth and praying for direction,” said Kakegamic.
Grand chief Stan Beardy said communities throughout NAN were encouraged to hold prayers and share their spirituality.
“I think we just want to share this time with our young people to remind them we still need to maintain our spirituality and put it to practice,” he said.
Beardy said the First Nations have two pillars that guide them – their special relationship with the creator and with the land.
“Part of that is our responsibility to remember all the hardships we’ve gone through in the year’s time,” he said. “We are very grateful we didn’t lose any lives, for example, during the great forest fires. We’re reminding all our people we have a sacred responsibility to remember our creator during the hard times and the good times.”
The Day of Prayer also coincides with the beginning of National Addiction Awareness Week, which is no accident.
“It’s important to remind people that in terms of prescription drug abuse, we have a responsibility as people to take that upon ourselves,” said Beardy.
