Rebecca Drake says she has to get out of Fort Hope.
The 24-year-old-single mother lives in a two-bedroom home with her five children and her two parents. It’s crowded and the children share their rooms with their mom. Drake’s youngest, 16-month-old Tommy Drake Atlookan, sleeps with her parents.
While most babies may squirm or cry out, Tommy barely moved in his baby carrier and appeared oblivious to the world. Drake says her son is sick and frequently goes to the children’s hospital in Winnipeg.
When she starts to speak more about her family and her situation, she can’t help but burst into tears.
“One of my kids has a disorder. I guess he’s considered a high risk patient,” Drake says.
“I’m basically living in a house with my mom and with five children and it’s hard. It’s hard being a single parent. I’m just doing the best I can in parenting my kids.
“I want to get out of here because I’ve been judged; I’m being put down by a lot of people. People make me feel like I’ve made mistakes. My parents are the only two people I have that are here for me. They are the only two who are willing to help me.”
Fort Hope removed its state of emergency in the spring of last year.
Former Chief Lewis Nate made the declaration in part to try and stop the community’s rampant drug abuse problem.
The community set up its own addiction treatment centre and while things have improved, many are still abusing drugs and social problems continue to plague the First Nation and its residents.
With no road leading in or out of Fort Hope, Drake says she has to find a way to pay for everyone’s airfares. While it will be difficult to do, she’s determined to get out of Fort Hope and improve her life and her families.
“We’re living in a two-bedroom house and there’s eight of us. It’s crowded. It can get really bad sometimes, especially during the summer it gets stuffy, moist and moldy in here,” she says.
While it may be difficult, Drake says she does believe the end is near.
“I’ve wanted to move out of here for so long and I’m finally going to do it,” she says. “I`ll be living in Thunder Bay hopefully by the first week of February. My goal is to get back into school and become a (Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service) officer.”
Follow Jeff Labine on Twitter: @Labine_reporter
