National Non-Smoking Week: “Our Tobacco”

January 25, 2018

David Archie, Traditional Wellness Coordinator - Secwepemc Health Caucus

Ren Skwekst David Archie Stswecemc/ Xgattem re stekwen. My name is David Archie I am from Canoe Creek/ Dog Creek.

Addiction was modelled to me from a very young age. I saw it in the media, in society and experienced it in my family. Little did I know that there were so many messages in my life that I wasn't good enough and that I needed something outside of myself to belong. The pressure of not being good enough began to take hold. I started smoking in my late teens as it was the cool thing to do. Though I was very active in many sports I followed the crowd to fit in.

One day as I was playing crib with an elder and I didn't have a smoke he offered what he called "Our tobacco". I was more than curious to what it was and how it tasted. He let me know that it was made from different leaves and roots from the land and that this was his family's recipe. He further explained that we used it in prayer and occasionally smoked it and not abused it like many do with commercial tobacco. It made me think of my own use of tobacco and how I just wanted to fit in with my friends and also to cover my emotions. I noticed that I smoked when I wanted acceptance, when I was nervous or anxious and when I was angry.

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As I started to heal my emotional pain I noticed that I didn't need as much of the substances I was using to hide, hold down or mask my feelings. This healing led me to my traditional ways of being and healing. I am now aware of my place in society as a Secwepemc man. As a native man I find that I walk in two worlds, one being the fast paced world of our modern times and the traditional ways of my Secwepemc Ancestors. I am learning that balance of the two creates a flow that allows me to be better connected to the land, my family and myself. Knowing and understanding my place on this Earth as a Secwepemc man gives me a confidence and a pride that allows me to know that we are created to have and achieve balance with ourselves, our land and the gifts that come from the land. We are not to take more than we need and taught to enjoy each moment through the breath we are gifted by the creator.

Regardless of what culture or family we are born into we have been taught to live in the moment, to seek balance and to celebrate every breath. May we all remember the gift of life and live in balance. 

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