Big Cove paving road to recovery

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The drums are beating once again on this Micmac reserve, signaling a healing process for a people besieged by tragedy.

Following a week of mourning for the suicide deaths of seven reserve teenagers, more than 100 youths gathered to drum, chant and dance in a celebration of life.

"All during the week, everybody was taking part of the discussion. But when it was over, many people came to me and said they felt empty," said Pauline Socks, celebration organizer.

"The youths felt the drum, the beat of Mother Earth. They identified with their culture, now they know it still exists. The week happened so fast, many people approached me to have the drumming and chanting."

In a nine-month period seven youths committed suicide on Big Cove reserve. Another 75 people, including an eight-year-old, attempted to kill themselves. This plague of deaths put the community into the national spotlight, but many of the issues felt to be behind the suicides were left unresolved.

High unemployment and a chronic shortage of housing makes frustration levels peak in this 2,000 member community, said Peter Levi Jr.

The assistant to Chief Albert Levi said they require assistance in developing programs and getting housing increased on the reserve. An attempt by the chief to implement such programs met with bureaucratic road blocks in Halifax and Amherst, Nova Scotia. Acting on recommendations set out by an inquiry into the suicides last year, Levi sent a proposal to federal and provincial agencies only to have it rejected. National Health and Welfare minister Benoit Bouchard intervened after being alerted by the media, and apologized for the inaction. The minister is now examining the proposal.

But the community is taking the healing process into their own hands. Chief Levi announced a week of mourning in which no drugs or alcohol were allowed into the community. RCMP and local peacekeepers stopped all cars entering the reserve with information and warnings about the substance-free week.

The event was very successful, said Levi Jr. And the community learned they were not alone.

"After last week, people realized there are a lot of people out there willing to help us, that there is a lot of support for us. People respected (the ban) because they felt it was a part of the healing process, they respected the fact that the community is trying to get back on its feet again."

The chief and council are in the process of taking the idea of making the reserve alcohol-free to the community, Levi Jr. said.

With approximately 53 per cent of Big Cove's population under the age of 19, motivating youths is of primary concern to the council. And during the week-long event, the community hall was packed with concerned residents attending meetings and talks.

"We have to control our own lives ourselves. The community has to heal as a whole. We'd like to see young people have more involvement with the community. They are our future leaders," said Levi Jr.

The sight of Big Cove's youths participating in traditional Micmac spirituality during the celebration of life was doubly heartening for Socks. In order to take part in the drumming, youths must purify themselves for four days before-hand.

"When they hear the drums, they want to be part of it. It keeps them from drinking and doing drugs because you can't touch a drum if you're not clean," said Sock.

She supports Levi, who is retiring after 26 years as Big Cove chief, and prays the new chief will continue efforts to make the reserve alcohol-free.

Socks volunteered her time and expertise to making the teen celebration work. After 16 years of watching spiritual ceremonies and three years participating in them, she has seen a return to traditional values in her people's youth.

"I don't get paid to do this. But my pay is when I see these happy with beautiful happy faces."