Remembering Joseph Henry Denny of Eskasoni, a leader in addiction services

ESKASONI — The community of Eskasoni is mourning the loss of Joseph Henry Denny, a leader in addiction recovery.

Denny died on Monday at the age of 80. He was foundational in providing addiction recovery services for Mi'kmaw people across the Atlantic region. He founded the Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselling Association (NADACA) in 1971, serving as its executive director and leaving a legacy that transcends regional boundaries.

Eskasoni Chief Leroy Denny remembered Joe as a mentor and colleague and a visionary. He says Joseph Henry Denny was a beacon of hope and resilience in his community, touching lives through his unwavering commitment to addiction recovery and community health.

"He changed and saved many lives. Many people are sober today because of his work. He had humble beginnings; he started in his house and had a small office, and finally, in the 80s, we had the new Mi'kmaq Lodge, which is still operating today. Not only in Eskasoni," said Chief Denny. "His voice, contacts and reputation helped the expansion of the state of our health in Eskasoni and our governance practices. He made huge strides in our community for our health and mental health."

Chief Denny adds that Joseph Denny's teachings helped him choose a life of sobriety as a young man.

"He helped a lot of people, including me. I've never drank in my life because of NADACA and these programs they had that kept me sober as a young Mi'kmaw youth. I'm now almost 50, and I'm still sober."

FAMILY MEMORIES

Teanna Denny, Joe's granddaughter, remembers her grandfather as a loving family man who, despite his work ethic, always managed to put his loved ones first.

"My grandfather Joe was a big family man, every birthday, every event, he never missed one. His family was number one in his life, and we were all extremely close," she said. "The most humble, kind, loving man. He always had a smile on his face and was always positive. Nobody ever had anything negative to say about him."

Although not related by blood, Bethany Cremo-Oakley affectionately considered Denny her grandfather, as he considered her his granddaughter. She shared personal memories of the man that Denny was outside his work life.

"I was raised at my grandmother's on the weekends. I saw Joe every weekend and almost every day because he would have every meal with my nanny. Every Christmas, we had our traditions of decorating the tree together," said Cremo-Oakley. "It was our yearly tradition, and I'm very proud to say we never missed a year."

"Joe was very dedicated to his family, friends and grandchildren. He always treated me as his own, even though we had no blood relation. He's never missed a monumental moment in any of our lives and he would constantly make the effort to show up. His smile and laughter could light up any room he was in. I am very proud to call him my granddad."

WORDS FROM COLLEAGUES

Dawna Prosper, Denny's long-time colleague and successor at NADACA, spoke highly of his profound impact on addiction services across Canada. She says his legacy in addiction counselling and treatment services for Indigenous people stretches far further than his community of Eskasoni.

"Joe was the rock of our organization. He's leaving behind a significant legacy in the work that he's done, not only in Nova Scotia, not even just on the East Coast, but right across the Atlantic region and the rest of Canada. He was on the board for the Thunderbird organization (Thunderbird Partnership is a national non-profit addressing substance use and addiction in Indigenous communities) when it was beginning in the early 90s," said Prosper.

Although Denny was serious about his vision for NADACA and health care in Eskasoni, he was a "gentle giant" in Prosper's eyes, never turning away a client or judging them. Prosper says everyone who worked for or with Denny was proud to follow his leadership.

"He was so trusting and you couldn't help but be loyal to this individual who shows you so much support," she said. "He never turned anyone away. That was his motto. Once, twice, 21 times, he'd never turn anyone away."

TRUSTED AND RESPECTED

His colleagues and those who knew him echoed this sentiment of resilience and dedication. Ramona Gould, office manager and employee of almost 40 years at NADACA, is also Denny's cousin. She says her cousin, who hired her back when NADACA first opened their office in Eskasoni, always trusted and understood the people he worked with and served.

"He was my first cousin, so this was personal for me," said Gould. "He hired me when I first applied for the job in 1985. He always trusted us, his staff. He knew people, he knew how to read people and he always gave people a chance."

Margie Johnson grew up in the same Eskasoni neighbourhood as Denny, Qamsipuk. She remembers Joe as a kind man and respected him from a young age.

"Joseph Henry, as we all knew him, was a respected and caring man," Johnson said. "He was good friends with my dad, he used to come to visit our home frequently. He always had a good story to tell and always kind words to say. He will be missed by all."

Joseph Henry Denny's legacy is one of compassion, trust and service. His vision for NADACA and the structures he helped build, like Eskasoni's Mi'kmaq Lodge and the Eagle's Nest in Sipekne'katik, continue to be pillars in the ongoing battle against addiction. His belief in second chances and his advocacy for recovery and health have left a mark on countless lives and communities.

Mitchell Ferguson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post