According to Wikipedia:
“Carey Price (born August 16, 1987) is a Canadian professional ice hockeygoaltender for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is considered to be one of the best goaltenders in the world by many colleagues, fans, The Hockey News, and EA Sports;[2][3][4][5] and one of the greatest goalies in the history of the Montreal Canadiens by several members of the news media.
Price, who is of Ulkatcho First Nation descent through his mother,[9] was named as an honorary co-chair at the 2010 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships that were held in Ottawa, Ontario, in May 2010.[61] Price is of the Nuxalk and Southern Carrier Aboriginal heritage. Price is very proud to be of the descent from the line of chiefs and leaders including his mother, Lynda.”
Spending Time in a First Nations Community.
When I saw this quote from Carey Price, I was was reminded of my own time spent in a first nations community. I write this to encourage “my people” (non-indigenous people) to spend time on a First Nation. One way is to become involved as a volunteer under Indigenous leadership.
Rural First Nations provide a wonderful opportunity to develop relationships which can grow to reconciliation. However, some creativity is required. First Nations leaders assure me that volunteers are welcome, but there is well-earned skepticism of an attitude of “hi, I’m white and I’m here to help you …”
Instead, we must take the attitude that servants are surely needed; that the experience of learning how to approach, and how to serve, will provide relationships leading to reconciliation.
How to start: Drive to a First Nation and buy coffee at the local establishment. Do this repeatedly and consistently.
One reluctance of urban people may be that one must drive to a rural destination. However, that is part of the First Nations experience. Regular highway travel is part of the reality.
The invisible border between indigenous and non-indigenous slowly melts away as you repeatedly pass the “Welcome To …” sign.
Buy your gas at the local station. Shop in the local grocery. Look for a church that you might be able to frequent. Go to the band office and enquire “Do you have volunteer organizations that might accept help from me?” (If you get a vague reply, ask for permission to return and enquire again.)
Show up. Then show up again, and again, and again … this experience counts. The goal is to meet people through service. The goal of meeting people is to develop relationships. The goal of relationships is ultimately, reconciliation.
My Story (beginning in 2015.)
I studied the history. I read the stories. I watched the cultural presentations. I listened to NCI Radio. There is a radio ad from the Manitoba government that ends…”We Are All Treaty People”.
In my experience, as I became more educated, I still felt clueless of how I should act as a full resident of this province — well educated, and still not making a difference!
It was at that point when I attended the Sagkeeng community memorial for a young woman. I was moved to deep sadness. A TV reporter thrust a microphone and asked “So what’s your story for being here?” I was overwhelmed and stammered something about “being a concerned member of the community.” This was the first time I had ever left the Highway that runs through Sagkeeng First Nation.
An acquaintance from my church was a volunteer at the Sagkeeng Arena. So I asked her if The Sagkeeng Community welcomed volunteers from outside. I was enthusiastically accepted. The first night I was asked to “move all of this sweaty hockey equipment from the canteen and stack it in the room next door.” That was complete in 30 minutes, so I asked for something else to do. I was advised “Do you want to clean out the fridge? But beware, there is a carton of milk that has been in there since June, and no one wants this job (this was October)!” This moment provided an early opportunity for relationship building. As I was earlier carrying the hockey equipment I became aware of an individual who was simply standing … watching me. As soon as I began this stinky job, the watcher grabbed a garbage bag and stepped in beside me! On later reflection, I realized that person had, only now, accepted me as “for real.”
Volunteering grew to helping with a kids homework program; and then connecting with a local pastor who wanted to start an addictions recovery program.
When Sagkeeng went into lockdown in 2020, it became clear to me just how many people I have connected with. Thankfully I have been able to maintain a number of these relationships via social media and telephone.
So far community involvement has taught me:
- Don’t say anything stupid
- If I do say something stupid, there is grace available from our hosts
- I have learned enough to know how little I know
- Our cultural similarities far outweigh our cultural differences
- More to come …
Please join us!