Where are all the First Nation elders??

I have had many occasions to help many different people in my life. One particular event comes to mind.

In the summer of 1998 I was driving back from Thunder bay, Ontario. I had been on the road for about on hour and I needed to releave my bladder. So, I stopped by a wayside rest. Unfortunately, there was no rest room facilities. Upon exiting my 1986 Chevrolet Camaro, I had noticed an elderly couple exiting there vehicle. So, the young and energetic man I was, I decided to walk up to the elderly couple and ask them if they needed assistance. They both said "no" and that they would be okay. So, I decided to visit with them. Upon many questions and answers, they had asked me if I was Ojibwa, I than excitingly said "yeah."

They than decided to inform me that they were just coming back form Canada. The elderly White man had stated that he went to go and visit a healer in some remote reservation north of Thunder bay. He had told me that he drove all the way from Illinois. I was amazed to know at this point, that, there were non-First Nation peoples who sought out elderly teachings and wisdom. I was really excited. What I than noticed was that this elderly man was limping, favoring one of his legs. I had asked him what had happened and he said he didn't know. He had woke up one day and his leg wouldn't work right anymore. Upon talking with him and his wife for about twenty minutes, I really told them that I needed to go and take a "walk." So, the two wished me well and told me that they would pray to Jesus to keep guiding me. I told them that I was thankful for being able to meet them and that I wouldn't forget them.

I than walked up a hill and continued up and around a walkway. This is where I decided it would be far enough away from people to releave my bladder. As I turned to continue my walk, I ran into the elderly white man. He was tired and somewhat out of breath. So, I decided to ask him if he was okay, he eagerly said "yes-and that he would be alright." I than, at that point, decided to tell him a secret....a secret of Gichigaming! I told him how I once was told by an elder named Bill Sutton about his experience with Gichigaming......Lake Superior.

I had related to this elderly man, how one time Bill had to help an old woman of his tribe. I had said that Bill had decided to take some water out of Lake Superior and bring it back to his reservation, Lac Courte Orreiles or LCO. I than had said, that, Bill had taken that water and wiped it all over the old womens entire body. To both Bill and the old Lady's surprise, the old women had gotten better and her pain had eventually disappeared.

The elderly man was very thankful and baffled. I than had said, " If you need to use some of that water form our sacred lake, you are more than welcome, just put some tobacco in the water and explain what you are going to use it for." Afterwards, we decided to part paths and go back to our cars. I walked down the path and he went his own way. As I was on my way back to my car, I had stopped a few times and immersed myself in the overwhelming beauty and greatness of the landscape. As I arrived to my car, I happened to look over at the elderly couples car. I than walked over to their car to investigate. To my surprise and my bewilderment, I had noticed the elderly white man had looked way different. His eyes and demeanor had changed. He was sitting in the passenger side of the vehicle and looked at me. He than said" you know-young man, I don't know what you did to me up there on the hill, but when I came down that hill, I wanted to run and sprint. All the pain in my legs is gone."

I than, at that point realized how powerful sharing information was. "Whatever you have, whatever you did to me is a blessing-don't ever let anyone take that from you" said the man.

I than, told him that he was welcome and that I had hoped that their trip home back to Illinois was safe and smooth.

His wife had said, " God bless you child-you really are an angel and our prayers are always with you."

HMMMM.

I just wonder where they are now.

OGABEK

Canada

I have recently visited CANADA and it was another great experience. I know I stated some time ago that I wasn't going to "allow" the border patrol to see my birth certificate. Boy, was I in the wrong. I guess I told a white lie. For that, i apologize and come clean.
I was asked to help my adopted relative conduct some training to his new staff. 99.99 % in attendance were all Canadian citizens, except me of course. So, if I count as a mere .1%, I will take that in positive stride and health. It has been like ten years since I have been to the "other" side. I am not referring to heaven or the Spirit world, but Canada. Canada has not changed much, except the fact, that, I was returning there to do some work. I was very overwhelmed and ecstatic.
When I was on my way to Canada, I could not help but think of what the word "Canada" meant to Anishinabeg peoples in the states, both in the past and the present.
For the most part, most Anishinabeg who have been raised on the state side see Canada as a haven of Spiritual knowledge and a starting point for spirituality. I must admit, about ten years ago, I thought something magical was going to happen to me when living and visiting Canada. But, to my disappointment and amazement, I had witnessed first hand, the devestating and sophisticated effects of western principals and how these attitudes disrupted the whole network of Aboriginal peoples around the area. This included, the newborns and how they were being raised to the elders and how they were divided into their own reserves.. I had this image, that Canada was a Spiritual place to live and that I was going to be a "better" and "wiser" person, because I was going to live in Canada. Yes, I became wiser, wiser in the sense that I lived through a phi sod of stereotypes and demeanor's. I guess, at the time I didn't fully comprehend the big deal of transporting gifts, goods and my personal belongings into another country. Yes, I have travelled to other countries, but getting into a bordering country is one thing. Coming back and entering is another experience and horror.
FEAR. That is what is instilled in the US-Canada border. Both, Canadian and US Authorities blanket you with numerous trick questions, when entering and exiting either country. There job is to keep the borders safe from illegal elements.
Upon me and Mikes(my adpoted relative) arrival to the Canadian border, I could not help but feel insecure, slightly nervous, excited and scared. Feeling your own feelings is a great experience. However, feeling and picking up on vibes that most peoples of the worlds do not always understand and comprehend is TOTALLY NONSENSE AND DEMEANING. What I mean is that, the feelings of being scared, nervous and all that is related to those feelings, was the magical vibes that Authorities make their livings on. Authorities count on these "vibes" to keep you on your toes, guessing and these feelings keep you out of thier country, if they suspect, that, you are a hostile or a rogue.
And, this is one of many feelings that I had re-visited. I had this overwhelming feeling that I was guilty. Guilty of who I was travelling with, guilty for being dressed the way that I was and guilty for being myself and for telling the truth.

TO BE CONTINUED>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>