A mother says she’s honoured a new family treatment program is being named after her late daughter’s spirit name, honouring her memory.
Charlene Owl says her daughter, Charisse April Owl lost her life to an overdose on November 24th, 2020.
Owl and Charisse’s oldest daughter Halle attended an announcement last week made by Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Minister Mike Tibollo (TIB-oh-low) stating the establishment of a new eight-bed treatment centre in Richie Falls, (RICH-ee) which is to open later this year.
Charlene adds a special memorial is also planned for Saturday, April 16th on what would have been her daughter’s 30th birthday to formally announce the program while hosting various activities including a memorial lantern lighting ceremony in the evening.
She says everyone concerned with the opioid crisis is invited to attend and support the fight against addiction.
Charlene says the family treatment program has been named through a special ceremony. “Gaawahseyaang refers to the glimmer of hope we feel when we see the shimmer of dancing ice crystals suspended in the cold, crisp air of a winter morning. Gaawahseyaang was my daughter’s spirit name. We feel some healing in the fact that our community treatment centre’s name will have a legacy/story, and special meaning.”
The gathering will begin at 1 PM with a barbecue by the billboard in Sagamok. Charlene adds at 3 PM, there will be a giveaway of her daughter’s personal items, and the days will include some children’s crafts and activities. Resource material will be available from Mental Health and Addiction Services. At 8 PM there will be a lighting ceremony for community members to be held at the Field of Dreams.
“I would like to take this time to say Miigwetch to family, friends and loved ones of Charisse baa who have shown so much support, your love helps in the healing process.”