The Daily News having apparently exorcised the gremlins in their new computer program, returned to online updates on Thursday morning. We catch up to their portal with a recap of the Wednesday edition of the paper.
A front page item on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, an update on the troubles BC Ferries has been having with crab lines these last few weeks and a look at the challenges that First Nations Chiefs are facing highlighted the news cycle.
DAILY NEWS, Front page, headline story:
THE NINTH DAY OF THE NINTH MONTH IS COMING-- With the anniversary of a day dedicated to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome awareness just around the corner, the Daily News examines the issue and the attempts to make it an item of concern across the nation (see story here), the item is also provided at the end of this post.
The recurring problem of fouled propellers apparently caused by local crab trap lines continues to be the focus of concern for the folks at BC Ferries. The Wednesday paper outlined some of the background on the issue and where BC Ferries may go from here. (see story here)
With the province's Recognition and Reconciliation initiative set aside by First Nations leaders, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs now turns its attention to other options. One such thought is to impress upon the Federal Government of the need to sign on with the implementation and enforcement of Indigenous Title and Rights, an initiative called for by the United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. (see story here)
The Sports section begins its preview of the High school sports scene, the Wednesday edition featuring a look at the plans for Charles Hays Basketball program.
NORTHERN VIEW (Website Extra)
The deficit was how big?-- The Northern View was first on the local media scene with a full look at the details of the Province's Budget update. (see story here).
Daily News, front page, headline story:
The ninth day of the ninth month is coming
By Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Prince Rupert Daily News
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
It has been ten years since journalist Bonnie Buxton launched an international day that would bring awareness to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
While digging through a 1999 snowstorm at their home in Ontario, Buxton and her husband Brian Philcox came up with what Buxton described as a "crazy idea".
Why not use the ninth hour of the ninth day on the ninth month in 1999 as the moment to ring bells in communities to bring awareness of the plight of those suffering from FASD.
A decade later hundreds of communities across the world use September 9 to raise awareness about FASD.
In Prince Rupert the local committee has been active for over four years and as far as committee member Leona Peardon is concerned, one baby in a community affected by FASD is one too many.
Peardon has been the Aboriginal Infant Development Program Coordinator at the Friendship House for two years and is a member of the Prince Rupert's FASD Committee.
"We try to prevent FASD and support children and families once they've been diagnosed," Peardon said.
On September 9 the committee will be at the Rupert Square Mall sharing information and encouraging the community to become more aware.
They will be handing out literature and showing some video clips on a couple of laptops.
Support Child Development Consultant Anne Falvo, also a member of the committee, described FASD as a bi-product of alcoholism.
And while FASD is 100 percent preventable, Falvo agreed that there are lots of reasons why pregnant women drink.
"As a society we are in denial about alcoholism and pregnancy. If you're an alcoholic, how do you stop drinking when you're pregnant?" Falvo said.
"We recognize that there are lots of reasons why pregnant women drink and by recognizing that we can help women to make better choices."
Through Peardon's work at the Friendship House she sees young moms supporting each other and she said it's not just about mothers, but about supporting entire families.
"There are guys who take the Nine-Zero challenge to go without alcohol for nine months and realize how hard it is. They understand what women are going through when they take the challenge," Peardon noted.
Falvo emphasisized that FASD is not specific to any social, economic or racial group.
"It's global," she explained. "The world needs to know that wherever there's alcohol there's FASD.
Prevention is more than just saying no. There needs to be supports in place and every generation needs to be educated."
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