The “Rez Road Rally” delivers message supporting the war on drugs
12/16/2014 9:00:00 AM - Tribal Observer

The “Rez Road Rally” delivers message supporting the war on drugs

By Joseph V. Sowmick, Photojournalist

The war on drugs in the Tribal community took to the streets and subdivisions as the Celebration of Hope Committee (a representation of many Tribal departments and community members against substance abuse on the Reservation supported by Tribal Council) delivers a Nov. 8 message during the “Rez Road Rally.”

An impressive parade entourage of more than 25 community vehicles along with several agencies joining our Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department (Michigan State Police, Isabella County Sheriff Department, Mount Pleasant City Police and the Central Michigan University Department of Public Safety) as they rode through the Rez honking horns and waving as community families came out to support their efforts.

The “Rez Road Rally” concluded after the one-hour parade route and participants joined the community for a Mexican-style cuisine luncheon as special guest speakers, Melissa Montoya and Alice Ricketts shared their testimonials in the Eagles Nest Tribal Gym.  The second installment from the Celebration of Hope Committee included a warrior ceremony of commitment where participants pledged by crossing over a rope that signified and demonstrated their continued support on the war on drugs, a similar demonstration of the historic declaration on the war on drugs celebration that was held on Sept. 24.

The next scheduled event involves a Dec. 4 Neighborhood Watch “Toolkit Training” from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Ballroom.  The program is sponsored through the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police, SCIT Public Relations and the U.S. Department of Justice.  For more information, contact Sgt. Craig Wilson at (989) 775-4837, Erik Rodriguez at (989) 775-4096 or Melissa Montoya at (989) 289-4487.