To commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day, Dakota Tipi First Nation held a walk to stand against drugs and spread love to those who they've lost to overdoses.

Valerie Houle, organizer for the event as well as employee for Dakota Tipi, says she wanted to bring attention to the social issues that have been impacting the community because of addictions, and when she felt like she wasn't being listened to, she started organizing walks. She explains that this is the fourth walk, and she was shocked when asked to do more than one.

"Initially I didn't know that I would be asked to walk. I did a walk in Sandy Bay (First Nation), I was invited there because they had their own struggles and a lot of problems," notes Houle. "Then we did another one in Long Plain (First Nation), because the community members were afraid and they asked me to do it again when the young mother of seven was found dead in the cemetery."

She adds there are lots of Indigenous people who've been impacted by addictions, whether it was themselves, or family members. She notes that there was a prophecy that says Indigenous people would face these hardships and grow from them.

"In our traditions, when the creator made woman, the creator gave us the sacred gift of being able to give life, and along with that responsibility, is the role to take care of the children," Houle explains when asked about their traditions. "The women were the ones that spoke up to discuss what was happening in the community."

She says she wants to return to her culture, stating that drugs and alcohol were not part of it.

"Because of the drugs and alcohol, there is no future for the generations ahead, and so that's why I wanted to bring this awareness," notes Houle. "What kind of future are our grandchildren going to have if the drugs and alcohol don't stop?"