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When I reflect on my life, as I'm about to turn 55 on July 01, 2023, my heart and my mind keep going to the topic of wisdom. As an Indigenous man who's also from the Sixties Scoop generation, and whose mother and uncles and aunts went to residential school, I realize we were all left with what is called intergenerational trauma. As a follower of the Jesus Way who's born again and set free from sin, I'm also told in the holy scriptures from the apostle Paul that our struggle wi...
Words fascinate me. I like word paintings where wildflowers carpet a meadow and chipmunks chatter above the breeze whispering through the nearby pines. What sights and sounds would you add to your scene? I enjoy imaginative words like kaleidoscope. The colourful pieces at the end of the telescopic tube dramatically change patterns with the slightest turn of the tumbler. Combined words are the most meaningful. Chocolate is a good prefix to any word. What word would you use to...
This past week, my parents and I travelled the Needles Highway. For those of you who are not familiar with this highway, it is a 14-mile scenic byway that lies within Custer State Park, among the Black Hills of South Dakota. It offers sharp turns, narrow tunnels and winding routes. My mom, who is fearful of heights, especially when mixed in with twists and turns, managed to get to the eye of the needle at the top of the eroded mountain-without fainting. I prayerfully...
Kids help me laugh. My grandson said, "Grandpa, you're bald. You look extinguished." Animals help me laugh, too. If you've seen a naked mole rat or a hairless cat, you know God has a sense of humor. Then there's the platypus. I can picture God designing the prototype as angels look on in wonder: "I'll give it a body with flippers on its feet, a little like a beaver. Then, why not a duck head? And have it lay eggs. That will amuse and confuse the humans." I imagine God saying,...
Ramona Lynn Sakiestewa was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico to a Hopi father and a mother of Irish-English-German descent. She attended Verde Valley School in Sedona, Arizona, and Santa Fe Prep, Santa Fe, New Mexico. As her interest in weaving grew, Ramona taught herself to weave through reading books and from the assistance of acquaintances who were kind enough to share their expertise. In 1970, she married Arthur Sze, a poet and creative writing instructor at the Institute...
Blueberries have been and continue to be a major food source for Great Lakes Region Native American communities in the summer; peaches grow especially well in the tribal regions on the eastern side of Lake Michigan. Ingredients 1 cup blueberries 1 cup diced peaches 1-2 cups diced tomatoes 2 minced green onions 1 lime Salt and pepper to taste 1–2 cloves minced garlic (optional) 1 tablespoon minced cilantro (optional) Directions Simply mix the ingredients and serve with your f...
MAYER, Ariz.-Some Indigenous farmers are trying to bring traditional food back to their communities. Michael Kotutwa Johnson, a farmer from the Hopi Tribe, is focusing on bringing Hopi corn back to the dining table – not only for the health benefits but also to connect his people to their culture. Johnson, who also is a faculty member at the University of Arizona's School of Natural Resources and the Environment, refers to corn as "our mother." "Corn represents our mother, a...
BUSBY, Alb.-On May 18-21, 2023, 187 youth gathered at Camp Nakamun in Alberta, Canada, for the Native Youth Conference (NYC). The students came from 17 communities and four provinces. Students were joined by 40 chaperones of varying ages. "The mission at Indian Life Ministries is to restore hope, healing, and honor within Indigenous communities across North America through a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ," said Todd Wawrzyniak, director of Indian Life Ministries. "Being...
The ministry impact of the Cass Lake Alliance Church continues to go on strong! Started as a Native church plant in the 1930s, it continues to reach out locally while celebrating its historical impact globally. The church, located on the Leech Lake Reservation in northern Minnesota, has raised over the years two gifted musical singing families-The Smith Family and The Berge Family-whose collective ministries span almost a century. Both families have traveled and have sung...
In 1957, Harvey Gabriel heard scripture read out loud in Kanien'kéha for the first time. When he got home, he asked his mother why Kanien'kehá:ka didn't have a Bible in their own language. "Oh, that's a big project," she replied. "And who's going to translate it?" Those words stuck with him, but it wasn't until 1974, as he was firing up his lawnmower after supper one day, that the idea finally came to him. "When I retire, I'm going to translate the Bible," he told himself. "...
I grew up in Cumberland House, northeastern Saskatchewan. It's kind of an isolated place, about 200 km northeast from Nipawin, a larger town. The community is on an island in a delta region of the Saskatchewan River. Some of the people are still involved in fishing, hunting and trapping. My father was mainly a fisherman, so I grew up eating a lot of fish! As a kid, many times I went out with him in his boat, and then in the winter there was ice fishing, as well. I wish I...
Todd and Krystal, our director team, are looking forward to helping facilitate the Bighorn Vacation Bible School (VBS) in Bighorn, Alb., July 17–21. The theme is "Jesus is the Greatest Chief!" Two dedicated believers, Wacey and Violet, have graciously opened their land for the event in the Bighorn Community, and a leader named Tyson will teach the children. We are so excited to assist in this outreach! When we are able to reach children of a family for Jesus, this often l...
If you haven't heard the news yet, we're excited to announce that we at Indian Life we are working on putting together a 365-day devotional! The devotional will be split into three volumes to make it more accessible. It will include submissions from 42 indigenous followers of Jesus, who are from 15 indigenous nations, 30 indigenous communities, 8 provinces and 4 states! Can you believe it! Wow! We are so excited! We ask for prayer regarding the development of this devotional....
If you’re attending these events, come by and meet us! If you would like ILM to participate in your event, contact Krystal at admin@IndianLife.org Jesus the Greatest Chief VBS—July 17–21, Bighorn, AB Every Story Matters Conference (ILM hosted)—Sept. 15–17, North Battleford, SK STEER Conference—Oct. 6–7, Bismarck, ND ILM Banquet—Oct. 21, Winnipeg, MB Indigenous Couples’ Getaway—Nov. 17–19, Rock Nest Ranch, Houston, BC Seattle Missionfest—Nov. 3–4, Seattle, WA...
WASHINGTON-A divided Supreme Court ruled recently that the federal government is not required to take "affirmative steps" to guarantee water for the Navajo Nation beyond the water rights that were granted in an 1868 treaty. The 5-4 ruling said that if the court agreed with the Navajo, it could lead to a situation where the government is forced to build "pipelines, pumps, wells or other water infrastructure" that were not specified in the treaty. "It is not the Judiciary's...
LANGDON, Alb.-Indian Life is excited to announce our annual banquet occurring on October 21 in Winnipeg, Manitoba! Craig and LaDonna Smith will be the speakers and lead worship for the gala event, focusing on the theme "Trauma, Trials and Timeless Truths." Kene and Milly Jackson will minister through Native gospel songs. The banquet will take place in The Meeting Place, in downtown Winnipeg. Individual tickets are $50 per person and include a traditional meal. Corporate...
Everybody has a story. That story, if kept inside and not given the freedom to be shared, can hinder us. If the story is a positive, good one, we share to bless others, give them hope and give praise to God together. After all, Psalm 107:2 (NIV) tells us, "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story." If the story has some hard twists and turns, it's even more important to share it. We need a safe place to talk with others who understand the difficulties of healing and...
WASHINGTON-The Supreme Court recently upheld a federal law that requires tribal families to get priority in the adoption or foster placement of an Indigenous child, a law aimed at stopping what one justice called the "nightmare" of family separation. Advocates have called the Indian Child Welfare Act the gold standard of child welfare laws, but it was challenged by three families and the state of Texas, which claimed the law steps on state's rights and unlawfully uses race to...
WATERLOO, Ont.-The University of Waterloo in Ontario will become the first Canadian university to waive tuition starting this fall for students who are members of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation or Six Nations of the Grand River. In a press release, the university announced, "Indigenous students who are members of these bands (on whose traditional territory the University of Waterloo is situated) and who are pursuing studies in a graduate or undergraduate program a...
