Recovery Wellness Champion Nicolette Moore shares her story of recovery – FNHA
September 11, 2025
Content Warning: The following is a deeply personal interview with First Nations Recovery Wellness Champion Iihle’etgum Gibuu / Red Wolf / Nicolette Moore of the Nisga’a Nation (sober since April 29, 2013). Nicolette shared some of her story with Corrina Chase, Manager of Substance Use and Community-Based Initiatives in the FNHA’s Office of the Chief Medical Officer. It contains descriptions of substance use, sexual assault, violence, and suicidal ideation, and may be triggering for some readers. Here is a link to our page listing mental health supports.
Corrina: Can you tell me about your personal journey and what led you to seek recovery?
Nicolette: I think I just got sick and tired of being sick and tired. I kept messing up and I couldn’t figure out why. I recognized my anger and hurt were driving everything, and I didn’t want to be angry anymore. There was a moment in my last use—it was horrific and there was family violence—I was assaulted by my partner at the time. My spirit was gone. Things were getting worse. I was using so many drugs knowing I might die, but did not want to die. I was sobbing on the floor—crying out loud for help—praying. My father’s spirit came to me, held me tight, comforting me, loving me. That was the defining moment when I realized I didn’t want to die, I wanted to live without the pain, without the drugs. It was time to heal.
