Community prepares for month-long celebration

Observer Staff

7/13/2006 12:00:00 AM

Tribal Council declared August to be American Indian Sobriety Month in 2004-joining fellow Tribes in honoring sobriety and encouraging a healthier community.

Now in the third year of planning events to recognize, support and honor those whose lives have been impacted by alcohol and other drugs, the American Indian Sobriety Month Committee has put together a calendar of events highlighting sober activities for the month of August. See page 3 for details on various events.

The 16th Annual Freedom Walk will be among festivities on Aug. 5. Community members are invited to honor sobriety and those whose lives have been impacted by alcohol and or drugs.

Registration and a free buffet breakfast will take place at the Tribal Gymnasium at 7:30 a.m. Guest speakers will give presentations from 8:30 to 9 a.m., followed by the walk at 9 a.m.

The walk will start at the Tribal Gymnasium and conclude at the Powwow Grounds. A free shuttle service to and from the Powwow Grounds will be provided, as will accommodations for those unable to walk the route due to medical conditions.

Complimentary T-shirts will be provided to the first 300 registered participants. A raffle drawing will immediately follow the walk.

For further information contact, John Johnson at (989) 775-4881. Brandy Smart at (989) 775-4861 or Jen Crawford at (989) 775-4885.

Be sure to take the time to come out to these fun, family-friendly events and celebrate sobriety and all the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Community has to be proud of.