Reflection on the new surroundings from the perspective of Michael Dischner:
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| Michael Dischner |
Leaving Pittsburgh, I had no idea what to expect for the mission trip, and, to be honest, I liked having it that way. I thought that if I were to predetermine what the trip would be like in my mind I would either be, A) Severely disappointed, or B) Left feeling completely guilty for not giving the immersion program enough credit. Well, it turns out that my openness to the situation was my greatest asset towards the trip thus far. This isn't because I would have been left feeling disappointed or guilty, but because I was so unprepared for the culture and landscape that I was about to be thrown into.
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| Forest inside Glacier National Park |
After a four hour plane ride, a three hour lay over, and another two hour flight, I boarded a train preparing myself for the 10 hour trip ahead, feeling as though home
was already a prospect that I would welcome with open arms. However, after managing to sleep for about five hours on the train, I woke up to see what may be one of the most breathtaking sights of my life.Outside of the train window, across a vast expanse of frozen lake, the Rocky Mountains stood tall and proud as the first amber rays of sunlight began to peak out from behind their massive silhouettes. This was just the beginning of a day that would be laced with views of snow capped peaks, crystal clear streams, and endless wilderness. Thankfully, that experience was exactly what I needed to restore my enthusiasm.
Although the landscape is a crucial part of the immersion program, and I could spend pages ranting about how beautiful the country is out here, it is really the difference in cultures that makes me feel as though I were in an entirely different world. Being educated in a school system that encourages global literacy and understanding between cultures, I considered myself lucky to have a fairly comprehensive understanding of the world in which I found myself. For this reason, I was completely taken aback by how ignorant I was to the Blackfeet culture. Even the most basic of traditions, whether it be the singing, language, or creation story, were completely foreign to me. Upon remembering the ancient roots of these traditions, I realized that it wasn't the Blackfeet culture that was foreign, it was me. Everything I brought with me: the language, the greetings, my religion, and even the food were all the leftovers of a strange people from across the Atlantic. These foreign peoples from abroad were the conquers of the native peoples and acquire massive claims of land because of their advancements in technology and devastating diseases. To lose such an integral part of American history would be more than a shame; it would be a tragedy.
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| Flag of the Blackfeet Nation |
Thankfully, the Blackfeet have rallied, and we are now seeing a new generation of Blackfeet children who are well-versed in their history and are once again speaking their ancestral language and performing their ancient rituals. Last night, we were visited by Joe Bremner, his son, and his son's friend. They spent hours telling us about Blackfeet history, cultural expectations, and ancient songs that had been sung for thousands of years. As I sat at the dinner table listening to the songs resonate through the room with the steady beat of the drums, feelings were awakened inside of me that one doesn't experience in the constant rush and stress of everyday life. I was taken back to a time when the world was balanced. Resources weren't exploited for profit, and things weren't taken for granted.
This trip has helped me to realize that every breath, drink, and meal is a gift that has been given to me, and will one day be paid back as the world continues seek balance through the obstacles of the modern world. I can't imagine what else I'll experience in the next four days, and that's just fine with me.
M. Dischner '11
