The Honour of all: the story of Alkali Lake

The Honour of All is a 56 minute videotaped educational docudrama that recreates the true story the Alkali Lake Indian Band’s historic struggle to overcome and conquer its wide-spread alcoholism. All the incidents depicted occurred between the years 1940 and 1985. The people who lived it tell the story in their own words and portray themselves in this dramatization. Narrated by Andy Chelsea, Chief of the Alkali Lake Indian Band of British Columbia, The Honour of All begins with those first days when Indians began receiving liquor for their furs rather than supplies or money. Alcoholism rapidly spread throughout the Band until men, women and children—100% of the Band—were affected. Not until 1971, when Phillys Chelsea took a stand against alcohol, did the situation begin to change. Five days after she quit drinking, her husband Andy made the decision to quit too. For the first two years, Andy and Phillys were the only sober members of the Alkali Lake Band. Eventually, Andy was selected Chief and, as visible changes began to occur, miraculously, an entire community was re-born in sobriety. In fifteen years the Alkali Lake Band went from being 100% alcoholic to 98% sober. The honour of all dramatically portrays that painfully slow road back to sobriety. It gives hope and inspiration to Native and non-Native people alike that, with community support, love and forgiveness, individual lives can be reclaimed and people can become productive members of society. As a result of the show’s popularity and impact, the community of Alkali Lake has received national attention through a story on the “NBC Nightly News” and an article in PEOPLE Magazine. Individuals in communities across North America, and as far away as Australia and South America, have been inspired by the film to join alcohol treatment programs. When the program was aired in 1986 by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation-North, Nick Ketchum, Director of Television, wrote us: “CBC-North has never in its history, received such an outpouring of positive reactions to a program. The response has been remarkably powerful and intense.”