Here is a short video clip taken from a 5 hour interview where First Nations Elder, Hugh McKenzie answers Scott's question "what does the Power of Choice mean to you?"
| The following feedback is from First Nation educators in Hobbema, Alberta who participated in a full day Habit Mastery & Power of Choice School Program, delivered by Scott Gallagher (the program includes 28 days of follow-up with weekly meetings and train the trainer coaching)
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Power of Choice First Nations programs are customized by Scott Gallagher and Hugh Mckenzie. Hugh is a certified Native Drug and Alcohol Counselor who has completed the Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention Program, and has an Ontario College Diploma from Canadore College, North Bay, Ontario.
Hugh McKenzie's spirit name is Zaagiidgeaway Gabo (Stands near The top of the hill). He is a 68 year old Ojibway Elder, Artist, Musician & Traditional Healer from Temagami First Nation, Bear Island ON, who approached us three years ago based on divine guidance he received.
Hugh lived his early childhood in the traditional native way on family trap-lines on Lake Temagami, hunting, fishing and trapping. During his winter months he learned about his lifestyle and spiritual ways through the Elders and Medicine People. Storytelling and spiritual teachings were given to him by his Grandfathers, Grandmothers and parents. This was the beginning of the “Seven Grandfather Teachings”. During these early years Hugh also understood how family lifestyle teachings were the strengths to help him into adulthood.
Hugh watched as his childhood friends were taken away to resident schools by the Indian agents and policemen. This would have a deep affect on him for the rest of his life. When they returned home he saw their emptiness and low self worth and lack of interest in family lifestyle and spiritual culture and growth. Hugh lost many of my best friends to suicide.
Hugh brings with him the Sacred Healing Ceremonies and the Seven Grandfather Teachings as a healing path to forgiveness of ourselves and others. This path of recovery of old values and traditional spiritual ways helps people who seek Oneness with their Creator. Hugh struggled with alcohol addiction for 40 years. It was through the Sweat-Lodge, Healing Lodge and Sharing Circle Teachings, that he was helped, and came around to self awareness, honesty and acceptance of himself and his personal commitment and belief in his Creator. Hugh has 21 years of sobriety, and has participated and facilitated in many different teaching/healing events, Sweat Lodge, Healing Lodge, Sunrise Ceremony, Hand Drum Making, Sacred Pipe Ceremonies, 12 step recovery programs, and the Habit Mastery & Power of Choice Program.
He uses his art and music as tools for “Healing with Art and Music” in art classes that he teaches throughout different communities, schools and Cultural Centers on and off reserves. Hugh has been running his own art gallery from his home on the Bear Island reserve for the past 20 years.
He resides with his wife Victoria, who is also a Traditional Healer, Helper and Teacher and has had her own successful healing practice for the past 20 years. They share and practice their Native Teachings together and offer healing and spiritual guidance in thier community, as well as travel to other communities both native and non native.
We at Power of Choice Wellness Inc, are not only proud, but completely humbled that Hugh Mckenzie approached us to represent and partner with our organization.
Hugh McKenzie's spirit name is Zaagiidgeaway Gabo (Stands near The top of the hill). He is a 68 year old Ojibway Elder, Artist, Musician & Traditional Healer from Temagami First Nation, Bear Island ON, who approached us three years ago based on divine guidance he received.
Hugh lived his early childhood in the traditional native way on family trap-lines on Lake Temagami, hunting, fishing and trapping. During his winter months he learned about his lifestyle and spiritual ways through the Elders and Medicine People. Storytelling and spiritual teachings were given to him by his Grandfathers, Grandmothers and parents. This was the beginning of the “Seven Grandfather Teachings”. During these early years Hugh also understood how family lifestyle teachings were the strengths to help him into adulthood.
Hugh watched as his childhood friends were taken away to resident schools by the Indian agents and policemen. This would have a deep affect on him for the rest of his life. When they returned home he saw their emptiness and low self worth and lack of interest in family lifestyle and spiritual culture and growth. Hugh lost many of my best friends to suicide.
Hugh brings with him the Sacred Healing Ceremonies and the Seven Grandfather Teachings as a healing path to forgiveness of ourselves and others. This path of recovery of old values and traditional spiritual ways helps people who seek Oneness with their Creator. Hugh struggled with alcohol addiction for 40 years. It was through the Sweat-Lodge, Healing Lodge and Sharing Circle Teachings, that he was helped, and came around to self awareness, honesty and acceptance of himself and his personal commitment and belief in his Creator. Hugh has 21 years of sobriety, and has participated and facilitated in many different teaching/healing events, Sweat Lodge, Healing Lodge, Sunrise Ceremony, Hand Drum Making, Sacred Pipe Ceremonies, 12 step recovery programs, and the Habit Mastery & Power of Choice Program.
He uses his art and music as tools for “Healing with Art and Music” in art classes that he teaches throughout different communities, schools and Cultural Centers on and off reserves. Hugh has been running his own art gallery from his home on the Bear Island reserve for the past 20 years.
He resides with his wife Victoria, who is also a Traditional Healer, Helper and Teacher and has had her own successful healing practice for the past 20 years. They share and practice their Native Teachings together and offer healing and spiritual guidance in thier community, as well as travel to other communities both native and non native.
We at Power of Choice Wellness Inc, are not only proud, but completely humbled that Hugh Mckenzie approached us to represent and partner with our organization.
First Nation Schools - Community Resource Process for Native Recovery
Jody Tetreau, Teacher
Hazelton Secondary School
Hazelton, British Columbia
"After Scott's Keynote Assembly, we had 30 students begin the program and each and every one of them took something away from it even if they did not complete the sessions. This is an amazing feat in a low socio-economical First Nations community where suicide issues run rampant.
Our students spoke about the value of learning how to set realistic goals, the power of drinking water and that they had more control over themselves. Along with more personal accomplishments our student also learned:
For example, for the first time, at least two students began to come to school with a water bottle with them every day. This could be seen as small change but for someone that consumed only pop this was significant. Two other students began to incorporate goal setting into their daily lives and vocabulary.
One very noticeable change was with a young man who had a serious problem with authority figures. He actually attended every follow-up meeting we had. He also developed a good personable relationship with me as a fellow group member, and as an equal, that had a positive effect on our classroom relationship.
He picked up his grade and passed my class with a decent mark. When I asked him afterward about the change he said that he learned that the authority figures will always be there and it's his choice as to how to deal with them. He has the power to change, he has the power to agree or disagree with their requests. HE has the power, not them. This was a huge step forward for him.
There were also measurable changes in all three of my student buddies. One buddy apologized to an old friend living in the next town over and now spends time with that person again having fun and being a teen. My partner is also still exceeding his goal of learning rudimentary drumming patterns every day and is on his way to being a fantastic drummer.
My second partner wanted to sing more because it made her happy and so purchased a karaoke machine and sings every day and feels great. This partner was shy and withdrawn and stopped participating in the group the next day but she still sought out her happiness and worked the program independently.
My third partner is the largest change. He wanted to quit the addiction of putting every one else around him before himself (he offered this information to me). He is 16 with a one year old child and has rekindled his relationship with his child's mother in a healthy, respectful way putting his needs before those of his other friends. This relationship had been clearly recognized as being toxic and one-sided. He has changed that and seems very happy now.
The program does not only influence the lives of these resilient young teenagers now but it also affects their futures. Every child that participated in the program all the way to the end was affected and profoundly changed in some way."
Hazelton Secondary School
Hazelton, British Columbia
"After Scott's Keynote Assembly, we had 30 students begin the program and each and every one of them took something away from it even if they did not complete the sessions. This is an amazing feat in a low socio-economical First Nations community where suicide issues run rampant.
Our students spoke about the value of learning how to set realistic goals, the power of drinking water and that they had more control over themselves. Along with more personal accomplishments our student also learned:
- How to meet new people and interact with them appropriately
- How to make commitments to each other
- That the power of our words and commitment are important
- There are consequences for behavior (even in the assembly Scott held them accountable if they talked, without putting them down)
- This isn't about them personally, it's about their behavior
- About drugs and drug use
- How the power of your own life choices can change you, and you can change.
For example, for the first time, at least two students began to come to school with a water bottle with them every day. This could be seen as small change but for someone that consumed only pop this was significant. Two other students began to incorporate goal setting into their daily lives and vocabulary.
One very noticeable change was with a young man who had a serious problem with authority figures. He actually attended every follow-up meeting we had. He also developed a good personable relationship with me as a fellow group member, and as an equal, that had a positive effect on our classroom relationship.
He picked up his grade and passed my class with a decent mark. When I asked him afterward about the change he said that he learned that the authority figures will always be there and it's his choice as to how to deal with them. He has the power to change, he has the power to agree or disagree with their requests. HE has the power, not them. This was a huge step forward for him.
There were also measurable changes in all three of my student buddies. One buddy apologized to an old friend living in the next town over and now spends time with that person again having fun and being a teen. My partner is also still exceeding his goal of learning rudimentary drumming patterns every day and is on his way to being a fantastic drummer.
My second partner wanted to sing more because it made her happy and so purchased a karaoke machine and sings every day and feels great. This partner was shy and withdrawn and stopped participating in the group the next day but she still sought out her happiness and worked the program independently.
My third partner is the largest change. He wanted to quit the addiction of putting every one else around him before himself (he offered this information to me). He is 16 with a one year old child and has rekindled his relationship with his child's mother in a healthy, respectful way putting his needs before those of his other friends. This relationship had been clearly recognized as being toxic and one-sided. He has changed that and seems very happy now.
The program does not only influence the lives of these resilient young teenagers now but it also affects their futures. Every child that participated in the program all the way to the end was affected and profoundly changed in some way."
Opal Charters, District Principal
First Nation Education,
Merritt, British Columbia
"We were delighted that we were able to bring Scott's program to our school.
He really held those young people's attention all day - they got the message loud and clear. And I'm so glad he emphasized that there is nothing wrong with us - that it's our interpretation of life that paints how we see our life and our future.
Scott made us realize the fallacy of our story of being worthless, unwanted, stupid, dumb, weak, spoiled, unworthy, or a loser. He gave us the power to whitewash the tainted picture away.
The most powerful part of the program was about taking small, manageable steps that mean we can be successful. Scott gave these young people the chance and the ability to create a future that is vibrant and clear, free from guilt and full of hope.
I've since been promoted to another school and, with luck, I will be able to bring Scott in for my new students in the coming year. Thank you Scott for making this incredible program available to us!"
First Nation Education,
Merritt, British Columbia
"We were delighted that we were able to bring Scott's program to our school.
He really held those young people's attention all day - they got the message loud and clear. And I'm so glad he emphasized that there is nothing wrong with us - that it's our interpretation of life that paints how we see our life and our future.
Scott made us realize the fallacy of our story of being worthless, unwanted, stupid, dumb, weak, spoiled, unworthy, or a loser. He gave us the power to whitewash the tainted picture away.
The most powerful part of the program was about taking small, manageable steps that mean we can be successful. Scott gave these young people the chance and the ability to create a future that is vibrant and clear, free from guilt and full of hope.
I've since been promoted to another school and, with luck, I will be able to bring Scott in for my new students in the coming year. Thank you Scott for making this incredible program available to us!"
The Power of Choice First Nation programs are sometimes delivered through Addiction Free Youth. The video clip below is a broadcast from the July 13, 2011 Aboriginal People's Television Network (APTN).
Information Session after the Keynote
The Habit Mastery & Power of Choice School Programs are customized based on the unique needs of each school, organization or community. The following video's were taken from same First Nations school that the testimonial video on the top-right of this page came from.
The video's were taken after Scott Gallagher had already delivered a school-wide keynote presentation. The keynote presentation ended with an opportunity for all students and staff to find out more information about how our follow-up program might help them find freedom from any unwanted habit or behavior they may be dealing with in their life (NOTE: Some schools, and other organizations, prefer to make this information session mandatory for all students. In this case it was based on choice. Approximately 15% of the school body chose to attend of which 6 of the participants ended up being staff/educators)
These videos explain exactly how the program would work in their school (could be different in yours!) and what the expectations would be of them throughout the 28-day group program should they choose to commit. You will notice that at one point in this sessions Scott had to firmly put some rules in place. These rules are commonly put in place in schools as an effective way to weeding out the kids that are pretending to be interested in making changes in their life when in reality, they are trying to skip class.
