north shore news }{EALTH Poverty an influence From page 20 considered by the B.C. Ministry of Health. Twice as many young abo- riginals are addicted to smoking as the general public. This is epidemically dispro- portionate according to the Aboriginal Health Association of B. c who have found that 72 per cent of young Aboriginals aged 20 to 24 smoke. Taylor says that the statistics support what community lead- ers are saying, that young abo- riginals turn to smoking as a way to cope with stress. “It’s a social process to find acceptance, different from the general pyblic,” she savs. Through the conference she hopes to raise awareness in the general public and with Aboriginal Peoples, develop dis- cussions on how to reduce tobacco use and foster some partnerships for support. Chief Leonard George of the Burrard Band says there are no programs currently in place that adress this problem, but feels it is a good start. “Anything that promotes health and mking care of our- selves in our communities is positive.” George feels smoking has become an issue because the problem was ignored in the aboriginal community for so long. He savs Aboriginal Peoples don’t think it affects: them because they are segregated, so they keep quiet about it, “In quietness we condone it,” he says. “As humans we want to be part of the winning team, like if it’s basketball, the Chicago Bulls, We never think about reaching our personal best because it takes se much devo- tion. If we focus on a higher ground rather than focusing on quitting sinoking, and improv- ing our whole selves it might be easier to quit.” Because a = majority. of Aboriginal Peoples smoke there is lide pressure in the commu- nities to quit. Deborah Schwartz, who works with aboriginal health councils, conducted a workshop at the conference with David Spirit Eagle Sommerville called Tobacco Transformation: Returning to the Sacred. ‘They focused on raising con- sciousness and increasing aware- ness about the affects of smoke addictions on health as well as tadition. Tobacco is traditional- ly viewed by Aboriginal Peoples as a sacred plant. Plants like sage or juniper are used in smudging to meditate and give thanks to the Creator. Only in the last 200 years, since contact with Europeans, has addiction to tebacco been a concern. “They realized the impor- tance of the tobacco crop and started using it recreationally on't pay for 120 days !!! ¢ No downpayment ¢ No administration fees * No penalty for early payment ¢ No assembly charge on BBQ's *On approved credit. Defers payment only, interest on loan accumulates from first day loan is taken out. Financing in efiect to April 6, 1999. See in store for details. >@/Consumersfirst” “Ss An Gduenvece Cumpany and the corruption cf tobacco happened,” Schwartz says People became disconnected from the teachings of their elders and tradition was lost. Schwartz feels that if more people realized that tobacco is a gift from the Creator and is not to be abused, they may be deterred from smoking reere- ationally. With the introductian to Europeans also came public schooling which — alignated young abonginals, making them more vulnerable to all) addic- tions, According to the Aboriginal Health Association of B.C, there tend to be more smokers among people with low socio-cconomic status. The association says high rate of tobacco use among Aboriginal Peoples, compared to other Canadians, is due to high levels of poverty, uncm- ployment and lack of education which all lead to stress, anxiety and tow self-esteem) which increases vulnerability to robac- co addiction. This is particularly danger- ous when Aboriginal Peoples have lower life expectancy than other Canadians and the highest rates of smoking-related ail- ments and mortality. When Taylor has completed her smudging ceremony she feels refreshed and ready to face her problems. Through the conference she hoped to pass this feeling on to some of her peers and show them the dan- gers of commercial smoking before it’s too late. ATTENTION JEEP OWNERS ° Complete mechanical & electrical repairs oy factory trained technician IMPEX AUTOMOTIVE 1335 Pemberton Ave. Tel: 985-6237 Visit our web site: ~ www3.be.sympatico.ca/i mpexauto/i impexauto.htral ee ee ee ee eee ee = Oe ee ee ee information: ‘sessions. to - give you info. about. oo Wednesday March 24th 7-9pm Radisson Hotel 4331 Dominion St in Burnaby Thursday March 25th 7-9pm Sheraton Guildford 15269 - 104th Ave in Surrey 1-888-419-5588 (250) 960-6308