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ANTOINE D. ARCHIE My parents both died alcohol related deaths. I was barely out of my teens when my mother died and my father died 10 years later. My parents never went to residential school, as a matter of fact they had no schooling at all. I attended residential school from 1951 to 1959. I was abused physically, mentally and spiritually. I drifted for years doing meaningless jobs leading nowhere, no benefits or security. On self examination I saw a complete state of hopelessness. This went on for 20 years until some of our people started to go to treatment for alcohol abuse. During this time I had been doing some upgrading taking courses here and there. As a result of seeing some of my people becoming sober it occurred to me it would be nice if I could do that for myself as I had been on the wagon a few times in my life but always struggled maintaining sobriety. I had a band worker arrange treatment for me at Round Lake in the late summer of 1981. I completed the program and went on to work for my band in various jobs, always moving up. Finally in 1986 I had the confidence , thanks to my sobriety to move on in life. I enrolled at Gonzaga University in Spokane Washington. I graduated with a Degree in Bachelor of Education in Native Leadership. I went on to become Chief of my band for 8 years. At the expiry of my last term I came to work for Nengayni Wellness Center, started as program manager and was promoted to Executive Director up to the present. All together I have been sober for 23 years. I am now sharing my life experiences and sobriety with all people.
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