FITTING IN

            “Don’t underestimate the value of just being on the reserve as a traditional family with a father, a mother and children.”

These words from our volunteer co-ordinator came back to me as I saw little girls patting our wedding picture; as many little girls and boys related to Rien as a Grandpa figure, or Dad, finding in him a safe male role model, one possibly missing from their own lives.  Perhaps my nurturing and handing out of after-school snacks played a part as well as the wholesomeness of our two children.

            Normally, we would have attended an MCC gardening orientation in Manitoba.  MCC sponsored summer gardening projects all over the north. Because we arrived in April, the gardening season, however, we could not take time to attend an orientation.  Our training consisted of books and papers arriving by mail:  Defeathering the Indian by Emma Larocque, a bitter Metis woman, bitter with good reason; the repentances of Father Rene Fumeleau, who had been giving his northern native parishioners only such menial responsibilities as laundering the church linens; the sharing of experiences of other VSrs in newsletters; personal visits from staff; learning from our co-workers Ken and Gwen, who had been on the Cape for two years already; learning by our own experience; and later, workshops with MCC’s Native Concerns Director, the one-and -only Menno Wiebe.

            I felt a bit awkward at first to be known as a Christian volunteer – what if I did not live up to it?  We were there, not only for the garden project, but also to break down walls, be peacemakers, be a Christian witness and relate to the people in our own way.  There was much discussion in MCC about “word and deed”: whether to witness verbally about our faith in Jesus Christ, or to witness by our actions.  Considering the damage done in the past by white people, often in the name of Christ, especially in the residential schools, as well as the ongoing prejudice, it seemed wise to simply show love.

            We were warmly welcomed.  We were temporary guests on the reserve, respected because of our involvement in the economic development project, and because we led constructive lives.  We soon became part of the community –as much as non-natives can.  Rien really fit in with his dark hair and eyes and tanned skin, as well as his personality: sometimes people would forget that he was not native, and ask him what reserve he was from.  He always replied, “I’m from the Dutch reserve.”

            We could only be ourselves.

We soon adapted to the new culture, attending fundraisers, potlucks, wakes and weddings, making friends and learning unspoken native protocol.  

            …let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven. (Matthew 5:15 NIV)

                    

 

           

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