Large turnout for Swinomish March Against Addiction

If it takes one step at a time to end the misery of drug and alcohol addiction, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is clearly on the right path in gaining support for that mission.

The tribe's annual March Against Addiction on Aug. 10 drew participants from other reservations who donned green Didgwalic Wellness Center t-shirts as they strode shoulder-to-shoulder with local residents across Swinomish streets and through its neighborhoods calling for a stop to drug and alcohol abuse.

The event's theme, "This Has to Stop," was clearly stated both on the Didgwalic shirts and by a series of speakers who sought to inspire the marchers

"This is very important to us," main spokesman Eugene "Huge" Edwards, of Swinomish, told the large circle of marchers at John K. Bob Ball Park prior to hitting the streets.

"This has to stop," Edwards stressed. "We've lost a lot of young ones. People need to know that we have to get these drugs off our streets and these drug dealers out of our community."

For Edwards, the campaign is personal. He lost his son, Tyler, to an overdose in 2018.

"I look forward to this day every year," said Edwards. "It's when you see how many people are here to band together and help."

Families mourning the passing of loved ones were invited to display photos of the deceased on the march.

"We thank the families for sharing these pictures with the people," Edwards said.

Numerous Swinomish tribal senators, including Chairman Steve Edwards, spoke and marched.

"You know how important this is to our community," Edwards said. "We have to stand together and fight this fight together. We have to remind everyone that there's a purpose for their lives. They're here for a reason. They are loved."

Edwards lauded the number of small children in attendance.

"These children," he said, "are the ones for whom we want to break the cycle."

The chairman said the march is important to show a widespread commitment to end addiction.

"We can't let it go unnoticed," he said. "This message has to be out there."

Senate elder Barb James agreed that the message must be wrapped in love.

"I'm thankful for the support each and everyone here has given today," she said. "It's very heartfelt. To each of you, I offer a hug. We hurt together, joined in this circle. We must also heal these wounds together that many of us feel.

"Let's live with faith," James implored. "Let's live with hope. Let's live with care and compassion."

Care and compassion marked the message offered by Swinomish Senate Vice-Chair J.J. Wilbur, who like Huge Edwards, had a personal story to share.

"I miss my sister, Jennifer, today as much as when she left us," Wilbur said. "I want to thank Huge for starting this. Huge is bringing forward this important awareness."

Senator Aurelia Bailey, Swinomish cultural events director, said she is often the first person contacted by law enforcement when a tribal member is lost to addiction. It is always a painful conversation.

She said the march is intended to literally set in motion a holistic approach to end the scourge of drug and alcohol abuse.

"We're not here to condemn anyone," she said. "We're here to pray for them.

"If we don't get this word out," she insisted, "we'll face the same losses we've faced through the years."

Beverly Keyes, CEO of Didgwalic, the tribe's out-patient treatment center on March Point Road – where non-natives also receive services – praised her staff's devotion to the cause in helping close the program's speaking portion. "Our goal," Keyes said, "is to work ourselves out of a job."

It was then left to James to get the march off on the right foot.

"Each and every step," she reminded marchers, "is so important."