Home Stay-Friday

On Monday we left for Redby, where we were split up to go to different homes on the reservation and sleep there for a night. I did not get a family the first stop but then we stopped at an old age home, which I was confused about at first. My instructor, Bruce, told us that the elderly woman here was very traditional and was known for bossing people around. He asked that two of us in my van stay there and so me and Kelsie decided to get out. Although the initial introduction was a little bit awkward, we all placed our bags down and gave Anna our gifts which she seemed to enjoy. The rest of the day we drove around the reservation with Anna, her daughter Anita and her boyfriend, and Anita's cousin, Sunsun. We stopped at "the point" which is where you can see both Upper and Lower Red Lake. We also got a tour of the Green House and a wild rice production warehouse. Our last stop was a random turn down a dirt road, which I have to admit worried me a little to begin with but we ended in a large open field that had two wig wams (What they used to use as houses; large sticks tied together with string that would when used, be covered with burlap). Anna informed us that this was sacred ground, no pictures where to be taken, and that very special ceremonies happened here. Although it seemed rather empty at first, it was soon very noticeable just the feeling that was there that told you this was a very important place. That night, Anita's boyfriend made us soup and Sunsun baked fried bread and talked to us about some of the alcohol and drug problems on the reservation. These were things he said he would tell us because he knew that Anna and Anita would never bring it up, out of respect. He said that these were problems that were not improving and this was not easy to miss because earlier that day both Anita and her boyfriend had told me about both of their daughters death because of a drug overdose; both which happened in the past 5 years. It is incredible how easy it is for these people to open up and I really respect there honesty. This kind of true honesty is hard to come by.
The next day was similar to the first, we drove around and toured the Natural Resources building and also the Fishery, which was kind of disgusting because I do not like being around fish, especially when they are getting cut up. We then met back up with the group and went to the High School (which is one building together with both the elementary school and the middle school). We had a tour of the school then a remarkable speaker. We closed the day with another talking circle.
Wednesday was a long day of speakers. We first met with the Tribal Council Chairman, Floyd Jourdain, which was a special honor. He talked to us about all of the economic problems and much about entrepreneurs and loans. Then we met with someone at the Tribal College and learned that only 70 students attend each semester in the 3 classroom college. We then went to a third lecture, with Larry and Violet, who are experts in recovery from substance abuse and the traditional use of the medicine wheel. We did an exercise with string to show our connectedness. We ended the day with a picnic not far from our last lecture and had some dogs. After everyone ate we played a couple fun games of musical chairs.
Yesterday, we went fishing right in the morning. This was the first time I ever fished, or ever even touched a fish. Although I was too scared to actually pull the fish out of the water when I felt it bite, I still learned how to cast and reel which was my goal. I also picked up a minnow but was too scared still to put the hook through its mouth so one of the young boys helping us did that for me. I not only picked up a minnow but also got one thrown at my face.. After this we headed to the hospital to get a tour and talk to a doctor for a while. We closed the night with a talking circle.
Today we went to Leech Lake Tribal College and talked to Judy who is a teacher there. She talked about the toxic pollutants that are in a small area of Leech Lake. This area has had to been evacuated because of the cancers and other diseases that it was causing. They are still having an extremely hard time getting the government to come in and try to clean it up and pay the medical expenses that it was causing. We then drove around the whole area and saw all the abandoned houses and swamps that are still there. Then we went to Rocky's house and he taught us how to make baskets, literally starting with a tree stump. We used axes and knives to cut thin strips of wood to weave. It was hard and took from 2 pm until 8 pm for the entire process. It was a fun day but was raining the whole time..
Tomorrow is the powwow and we're sleeping over in a tent!