Читать книгу Racing Toward Recovery - Lew Freedman - Страница 5

I first met Mike Williams about thirty years ago. He introduced himself to me when I was coordinating an Elders conference in the Bethel region. He said he was interested in doing things to help his people. My wife, Amy, and I had fostered what had become known as the Sobriety Movement.

There was a blue ribbon commission to evaluate the problem of alcohol in Alaska’s Native villages and it was concluded that Native leaders needed to take responsibility if they wanted to make meaningful change in the villages.

The first tangible action that was taken was that Native Alaskans discontinued the availability of alcohol at their meetings and functions. Mike was modeling the behavior he was advocating. We have spoken pretty regularly over the years about the problems created by alcohol in the Alaska Bush.

We talked over ideas and what could be done. Mike came from a family that was severely impacted by alcohol use. He lost all of his brothers to alcohol-related accidents and Mike drank, too, before he got sober and began raising awareness about sobriety and recovery issues.

As long as people are hurting there have to be people who are willing to step up and face the issue. Mike is willing to do that. It takes a special kind of stamina and commitment to do that and to keep doing that.

Mike told me he was going to gather signatures of Alaska Natives pledging their sobriety. And then he would carry all of the signatures to Nome during the Iditarod in his dogsled. I told him I was looking forward to his involvement. I thought, This is great. He stepped up again in his way.

Many people who used to drink share their stories and feelings, but Mike went beyond that. He took it to a much bigger audience. He has carried signatures in his sled many times because he believes in the Sobriety Movement. He is totally tenacious in that regard. He paid a price because of alcohol in his family. He experienced tragedy, as many people do. Sobriety is one part of the message of recovery.

Mike understands the level of effort and attention that is required to get people to pay attention to the problem of alcohol in the Bush. He knows and he has never quit. I can always totally rely on Mike if work is needed. He is just very well-known for his tenacity in helping people.

When you think about the lives of Alaska Natives getting better, you think about Mike. You think about the good that he does and there is lots of good.

—Doug Modig

Alaska Sobriety Movement leader