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| Jack and Jill |
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| The Ascent |
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| Waterfall at Glacier National Park |
Written on Saturday, October 6
Zach Javorsky '14
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| Zach Javorsky Can Clean Dishes! |
Monday, October 8, 2012
Saying Goodbye to Browning...And Hello To Glacier National Park
Written on Saturday, October 6
Zach Javorsky '14
Posted with Blogsy
Hopes and Fears
When we returned back to school this morning, our community welcomed us back with open arms and were very curious as to how the trip went. From my perspective, this immersion experience, like the ones that preceded it, was an overwhelming success in that we all learned about a foreign culture, formed bonds with the DLSBS community and one another, and learned some valuable life lessons along the way. While I'll be the first to admit that we faced some challenges that we could have handled better, these challenges became learning experiences for everyone involved.
As I reflect over the past week, a few lessons stand out in my mind:
As we re-integrate into the frenetic pace of life at Central, I offer the following hopes and fears:
1) I hope that we remember the DLSBS students entrusted to our care for the past week and continue to pray for their success in school and in life. I fear that, despite our efforts last week and the dedicated work of the DLSBS staff throughout the year, some DLSBS students will fall into the sense of hopelessness that defines many lives on the reservation and will make negative life choices.
2) I hope that the shared Lasallian mission of our two school communities continues to permeate the daily life of the students, faculty and administration of our respective schools. I fear that our shared Lasallian lingo will simply become empty catchphrases that don't permeate our hearts.
3) I hope the immersion participants continue to reflect and pray over their experiences and that this ongoing processing will guide their ongoing discernment of God's call for their lives. I fear that the pressure-packed pace of getting caught up with their missed schoolwork and other commitments will push the memories of this immersion experience into the deep recesses of their consciousness.
Mr. Sudnik and I appreciate the efforts of all of the trip participants and, based on our group reflection on Friday night, are confident that each participant is taking away improved self-awareness that they can integrate into their "normal" lives. I am especially thankful for Mr. Sudnik's leadership in organizing the trip on our end.
We are extremely grateful for the hospitality shown to us by the entire DLSBS community. We must thank Bro. Ray Bonderer, in particular, who dedicated so much of his time and energy to organize and facilitate much of our immersion experience. This experience was truly life changing and it could not have been realized without the many sacrifices made by our families and school communities.
Joe Allen
CCHS Director of Campus Ministry
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| Another View of the "Buffalo Jump" |
- We must be willing to challenge ourselves and our assumptions. As you have read throughout the blog posts, our eyes were opened to a lived reality on the Rez for which our sheltered lives in Pittsburgh did not fully prepare us.
- Living in community is difficult at times. Living in cramped quarters with other guys we did not necessarily know or choose required us to sacrifice for the good of the whole. When our human tendencies took over and we caused injury to others in the community, we were required to ask for forgiveness.
- We must take risks in order to grow. For many of the guys on the trip, they had never experienced the classroom as a teacher. Following the innovative approaches modeled by the DLSBS teachers, they took risks to reach out to the DLSBS students. A correlated lesson is that we must get up after we fall. We do not always succeed, but we only fail when we do not grow from the learning experience.
- We must make ourselves vulnerable by assuming the role of fool for the common good. We spend so much of our time cultivating a certain facade that we oftentimes lose touch with our true self. Given my relatively reserved CCHS persona, I'm sure most of my students couldn't imagine me dancing along to "Boom Chicka Boom" with the 4th graders.
As we re-integrate into the frenetic pace of life at Central, I offer the following hopes and fears:
1) I hope that we remember the DLSBS students entrusted to our care for the past week and continue to pray for their success in school and in life. I fear that, despite our efforts last week and the dedicated work of the DLSBS staff throughout the year, some DLSBS students will fall into the sense of hopelessness that defines many lives on the reservation and will make negative life choices.
2) I hope that the shared Lasallian mission of our two school communities continues to permeate the daily life of the students, faculty and administration of our respective schools. I fear that our shared Lasallian lingo will simply become empty catchphrases that don't permeate our hearts.
3) I hope the immersion participants continue to reflect and pray over their experiences and that this ongoing processing will guide their ongoing discernment of God's call for their lives. I fear that the pressure-packed pace of getting caught up with their missed schoolwork and other commitments will push the memories of this immersion experience into the deep recesses of their consciousness.
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| Bro. Ray Bonderer, FSC |
We are extremely grateful for the hospitality shown to us by the entire DLSBS community. We must thank Bro. Ray Bonderer, in particular, who dedicated so much of his time and energy to organize and facilitate much of our immersion experience. This experience was truly life changing and it could not have been realized without the many sacrifices made by our families and school communities.
Joe Allen
CCHS Director of Campus Ministry
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| Allen's "Controlled Fall" |
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Lessons Learned
When we first got here, I didn't really know what to expect. On Saturday, the teachers had told us that some of the students had learning difficulties and attitude problems, but that didn't fully help me to know what to expect. I was in the fourth grade classroom, which was a well-behaved class. There were a few students that were challenging, but it wasn't too different than any other fourth grade class would be. Once we corrected them or pointed them in the right direction they would respond appropriately.
The three speakers that we listened to this week talked specifically about different aspects of life on the reservation. I asked Dr. Mary DesRosier what we, meaning a group of people looking to help, could do to help. She emphasized that money was not the answer. She didn't mean that the institutions here don't need money; the schools, hospitals and businesses do need money. What she meant is that a lot of the people here are living off the money they get from the government, and just giving them more money would not solve the problem of dependence. She said that what the reservation really needs is education and the motivation for the kids to get an education. Harry Barnes emphasized the need for more good paying jobs on the Rez. Right now, the kids that do get an education often go to Spokane or Cut Bank and earn significantly more beause of the lack of opportunity at home.
Marty Martain talked about his ancestory and showed us some Native American historical artifacts. He took great pride in his knowledge of the Blackfeet culture and traditions. For example, he explained that their language would be difficult to learn because it has only 12 letters in the alphabet so every word is long. Marty also explained the complex rituals of Blackfeet spirituality. Because of the sacred nature of eagle feathers, we had to be blessed before we could handle them.
This was the first time I've been any farther west than Wisconsin. The Montana landscape is awe-inspiring. The view that we had from the "buffalo jumps" was comparable to looking out to sea - you could see far to the horizon.
It's been a good week on the reservation, and now I'm looking forward to concluding our immersion trip with a hike through Glacier National Park.
Zolten Glasso '14
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| DLSBS 4th Grade Class Photo |
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| Marty's Dancing Stick Features an Eagle Talon |
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| View from the buffalo jump |
It's been a good week on the reservation, and now I'm looking forward to concluding our immersion trip with a hike through Glacier National Park.
Zolten Glasso '14
Friday, October 5, 2012
A New Way of Living
Prior to our immersion trip to the Blackfeet Indian reservation, I had a completely different perspective on Native Americans. I had read about the problems of poverty and alcoholism that afflict reservations. Getting here and meeting the children and adults, my perspective has completely changed. All of the adults have been very nice and helpful to me, and the children have been engaging.
When we pulled into the train station at East Glacier Park in Montana, I immediately noticed the beauty of Montana's majestic landscape. With the Rocky Mountains in the backround and a lake right in front of me, I snapped a picture off my phone to capture the moment.
This immersion trip has changed my perspective on many things. It has changed my idea of what is necessary for survival. For example, I don’t need to eat every time I am the slightest bit hungry. As an immersion group, we ate a very simple meal each day for lunch. Also, I have noticed that the children here don’t have all the things I have, but they seem to be just as happy as me!
Overall, the immersion trip has changed my life and shown me a whole new way of living. I did not think I would really enjoy helping out in a Native American school, but I enjoyed it very much.
Sam Fallon '13
When we pulled into the train station at East Glacier Park in Montana, I immediately noticed the beauty of Montana's majestic landscape. With the Rocky Mountains in the backround and a lake right in front of me, I snapped a picture off my phone to capture the moment.
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| Glacier Park |
This immersion trip has changed my perspective on many things. It has changed my idea of what is necessary for survival. For example, I don’t need to eat every time I am the slightest bit hungry. As an immersion group, we ate a very simple meal each day for lunch. Also, I have noticed that the children here don’t have all the things I have, but they seem to be just as happy as me!
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| Sam Fallon '13 Playing "Zombie" |
Overall, the immersion trip has changed my life and shown me a whole new way of living. I did not think I would really enjoy helping out in a Native American school, but I enjoyed it very much.
Sam Fallon '13
The Gift of History
As the week comes to an end, we had a visit from our final speaker last night. Marty, aka Beware of Sleeping Wolf, came to the cabin last night to talk to us about the Blackfeet culture and his family heritage. As I sat there listening to him talk, I became moved by his spirituality and his great love and understanding for his tribe's history. I wish I could replay the entire event for you, but instead I will give you a summary of one the most wonderful nights I had on this immersion trip.
Marty began by talking about the "American Holocaust" and how it does not receive as much attention as it deserves. He said that when Columbus "discovered," or invaded, the Americas, there were over 40 million Native Americans. However, by the time the reservations were fully established, there were only about 200,000 Indians left in the Americas. After this he shared a story with us which filled almost all of his presentation.
The story was about how he and his wife, Vicki, met a man on a religious retreat. The man had come to the retreat to ask for prayers for his two year old grandaughter who was about to go into her sixth open heart surgery. After the retreat, Marty and his wife went down to visit the girl. He made prayer shawls for the girl and her parents to help them during this time. He also blessed the girl with an eagle's feather. A little later they got a letter from the grandfather saying that the girl had pulled through and she was feeling great. The letter also said that they wanted to give him a gift. Marty said declined, but they eventually talked him into paying them another visit.
When Marty got to the house, the man had a trunk with him, and he opened it up. At this part of the presentation Marty explained something very important to us. He told us that he was a direct descendant of Mountain Chief, a great head chief of the Blackfeet. Marty passed around a picture of Mountain Chief, and he showed us the special war bonnet in the picture. He continued on with the story after this. He said that the man gave him an old medicine man's rattle for rituals. He gave Marty many other things for helping, but the greatest gift of all was the war bonnet of Mountain Chief. Marty said that at this point he was overwhelmed by the man's generosity because of the spiritual and historical value of these gifts.
It was so incredible to meet Marty and hear such an awe-inspiring story. All of the objects that he showed us related back through his family line. I was so honored that he wanted to share this us. We all learned so much from him. This presentation was a fitting conclusion to our immersion week. I am now eager to return to learn and experience more of the Blackfeet culture.
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| DLSBS 7th Grade Class Photo |
The story was about how he and his wife, Vicki, met a man on a religious retreat. The man had come to the retreat to ask for prayers for his two year old grandaughter who was about to go into her sixth open heart surgery. After the retreat, Marty and his wife went down to visit the girl. He made prayer shawls for the girl and her parents to help them during this time. He also blessed the girl with an eagle's feather. A little later they got a letter from the grandfather saying that the girl had pulled through and she was feeling great. The letter also said that they wanted to give him a gift. Marty said declined, but they eventually talked him into paying them another visit.
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| Sam Fallon Reviews Marty's Family Photos |
It was so incredible to meet Marty and hear such an awe-inspiring story. All of the objects that he showed us related back through his family line. I was so honored that he wanted to share this us. We all learned so much from him. This presentation was a fitting conclusion to our immersion week. I am now eager to return to learn and experience more of the Blackfeet culture.
Tom Ceraso '14
Getting Better
The DLSBS immersion trip has been an amazing, eye opening experience for all of us. I have had the great opportunity to work with the 5th graders at the school. On the first day, they were extremely wild, they refused to sit down or do any work, and I think they were a little suspicious of Nick and I. The first few days were frustrating because they just refused to listen. However, as the week progressed, the kids realized that we were here for one reason only - to help them. Once they realized that, it became much easier to reach them.
I bonded with one student in particular all week. She made an impression on the first day because while everyone else was jumping around being crazy, she sat and worked hard all week. Her personality is one that draws you to her because she was always nice and respectful. We bonded so much through the week that today, she called me her big brother. She told me about what's going on in her life, and I was amazed at how mature she was for being so young. I've tried to have an impact and form a bond with every kid, but this student in particular had a great impact on me.
When we first arrived in Browning, I missed the luxuries of everyday life: my phone, the Internet, my music,etc. However as the week went on, I started to realize how important our efforts are to these kids and how I didn't miss those luxuries as much. I realized how we can truly make a difference in their lives, and I started to really care about them. It's going to be extremely hard to leave them, but I consider myself to be very lucky to have met them. I feel that getting to spend just a week with them and getting to know them during that time has made me a better person.
Conner Pasquarelli '14
I bonded with one student in particular all week. She made an impression on the first day because while everyone else was jumping around being crazy, she sat and worked hard all week. Her personality is one that draws you to her because she was always nice and respectful. We bonded so much through the week that today, she called me her big brother. She told me about what's going on in her life, and I was amazed at how mature she was for being so young. I've tried to have an impact and form a bond with every kid, but this student in particular had a great impact on me.
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| Celebrating Community Heritage |
Conner Pasquarelli '14
A Special Place
As we began this experience at DLSBS five days ago, Brother Ray told us, "You may not realize it now, but there is something special about this place and by the end of this week you will come to love this place." As I sat there listening, I thought to myself how could anyone come to love a place afflicted by by poverty, unemployment, drugs and alcohol. However, when I met the students of my class on Monday morning, I realized exactly why everyone was willing to make profound sacrifices.
As the children came in that first morning, I began to see where Brother Ray was coming from. They were ambitious and willing to try to do the classroom assignments. As I worked with them, I began to see they were all very intelligent. They simply lacked some basic skills. This lack of skills made them get a lot of answers wrong, and this gets the students down on themselves. The teachers, who are mainly volunteers, were wonderful at giving the kids instruction and rebuilding the confidence that had been harmed. I got the impression from the kids that this motivation was rare on the reservation, and they cherished even the smallest compliments. I tried to give them compliments throughout the week, and I soon saw my bond with the children grew exponentially.
As I prepare to spend my finial day with the children I see why DLSBS is such an amazing place and why so many people are willing to work countless hours to ensure the students succeed. The needs of the children surpasses any of the concerns that I had coming in and all the negatives on the reservation. The children are a bright spot in a dark place. They are the sole reason that we come on these immersion trips and their personalities and friendliness are why we take a personal interest in their success.The immersion experience has made me a better person, one more willing to accept people for who they are. Now I am more able to focus on the good in people and not the bad. This experience in the shadows of the scenic Montana mountains has changed my life forever and it will not soon be forgotten.
Zach Javorsky '14
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| Zach Javorsky '13 |
As I prepare to spend my finial day with the children I see why DLSBS is such an amazing place and why so many people are willing to work countless hours to ensure the students succeed. The needs of the children surpasses any of the concerns that I had coming in and all the negatives on the reservation. The children are a bright spot in a dark place. They are the sole reason that we come on these immersion trips and their personalities and friendliness are why we take a personal interest in their success.The immersion experience has made me a better person, one more willing to accept people for who they are. Now I am more able to focus on the good in people and not the bad. This experience in the shadows of the scenic Montana mountains has changed my life forever and it will not soon be forgotten.
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| Purple Mountain Majesty |
Zach Javorsky '14
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Hooping It Up
While hanging out with DLSBS kids this week, we discovered different links we have with them. There are many connections we have considering we are both Lasallian students. The kids share many similarities with us, including a huge interest in sports.
When we first met Brother Ray, he told us that basketball is a huge sport out here and many kids enjoy playing. From that initial introduction, we couldn't wait to see the kids and play with them. On the first day, we played basketball with ourselves before the school day. I've worked with 8th grade, and while talking to them, their interest in basketball kept finding its way into our conversations. This helped me forge a personal link with them.
When the kids went to lunch, we ate our own lunches. After lunch, we the kids summoned us to join their pickup basketball game. At that time we all quickly remembered how long its been since we played basketball, as the kids ran circles around us. During the pickup game there was some friendly trash talking, which helped us strengthen the bonds with them. It was pretty cool to see and experience that bond.
In their "health and wellness" class, we bonded with them further through the various activities. We played basketball on Monday, soccer on Tuesday, and tag on Wedensday. Playing these games with the kids made us understand that even though they are far a way from us, they also have the same interests as us.
We can't wait to continue to play basketball with them again and find out more about them, whether it's exploring our differences or similarities. However, we all are dreading the last basketball game with them because it will signal the end of our shared time together.
Nick Boone '13
When we first met Brother Ray, he told us that basketball is a huge sport out here and many kids enjoy playing. From that initial introduction, we couldn't wait to see the kids and play with them. On the first day, we played basketball with ourselves before the school day. I've worked with 8th grade, and while talking to them, their interest in basketball kept finding its way into our conversations. This helped me forge a personal link with them.
When the kids went to lunch, we ate our own lunches. After lunch, we the kids summoned us to join their pickup basketball game. At that time we all quickly remembered how long its been since we played basketball, as the kids ran circles around us. During the pickup game there was some friendly trash talking, which helped us strengthen the bonds with them. It was pretty cool to see and experience that bond.
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| Nick Boone '13 Moving Up the Court |
In their "health and wellness" class, we bonded with them further through the various activities. We played basketball on Monday, soccer on Tuesday, and tag on Wedensday. Playing these games with the kids made us understand that even though they are far a way from us, they also have the same interests as us.
We can't wait to continue to play basketball with them again and find out more about them, whether it's exploring our differences or similarities. However, we all are dreading the last basketball game with them because it will signal the end of our shared time together.
Nick Boone '13
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Do Something Great With Our Lives
Over the past three days we have spent much time with our individual classes. My fourth grade class is just all-around awesome. Each student is truly unique, but all have some similar characteristics. They all are incredibly kind and loving. By the end of the first day, the students were already comfortable around us and us around them.
Hearing some of their stories about what happened the night before or that morning are unbelievable. Whether it was getting a black eye or dealing with an drunk mom, all of the students have a problem, big or small, that I believe we can help with. Some students even came to school with no coat or ripped shoes. This was a huge problem since today was the first snow of the year. This is like nothing you would never or very rarely see in Pittsburgh.
My experience in the classroom during the past three days has been life-changing. Seeing these kids, who struggle with things no child should have to deal with, being motivated to do something special with their lives is unforgettable. Helping them acheive simple things like rounding numbers or counting coins is not only making a huge difference in their lives but also in mine. Central Catholic and De La Salle Blackfeet School have given us the opportunity to do something great with our lives.
Learning about the Blackfeet culture has also been a great part of the trip. Coming into town on Sunday we saw the tribal government complex, Sundance Lodge, and children riding bareback on horses. In the classes we have also learned a lot about the Blackfeet. Blackfeet translations of numbers ("na tsi koo poo doo" means "twelve") and common phrases ("ah sah pee nah koo nii ta ka" means "good morning, my friend") hang on the classroom walls. The school staff makes sure to incorporate the culture into every school day. After morning announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance, the Blackfeet Flag Song is played. There is always a Blackfeet word of the day and occasionally a prayer in Blackfeet is read. The school goes even further to make sure their culture and tradition don't slip away.
Today, Wednesday, the fourth grade went to the Museum of the Plains Indian just down the street. We all got to see the traditional clothing and weapons of the students' ancestors. All were excited to be there and learn about their people's rich history. After talking to the students for a while, they all seemed interested in continuing the traditions of their heritage. They see what we see, that their culture is extremely vulnerable to both self-destruction and destruction from the surrounding world. There are many members of the tribe who are fighting to perserve their heritage. It is a tough battle against drugs, alcohol, and apathy.
Coming to the Blackfeet reservation in Montana has been a great experience so far. It is hard to believe that we will be leaving in only a few days. The entire community here on the reservation is very close but also welcoming. I expect it to be a tough transition back in Pittsburgh both physically and mentally. It will be hard to leave such a great place that I've come to love, good and bad.
Greg Saxon '14
Hearing some of their stories about what happened the night before or that morning are unbelievable. Whether it was getting a black eye or dealing with an drunk mom, all of the students have a problem, big or small, that I believe we can help with. Some students even came to school with no coat or ripped shoes. This was a huge problem since today was the first snow of the year. This is like nothing you would never or very rarely see in Pittsburgh.
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| Snow-covered wind turbine |
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| Snowscape |
My experience in the classroom during the past three days has been life-changing. Seeing these kids, who struggle with things no child should have to deal with, being motivated to do something special with their lives is unforgettable. Helping them acheive simple things like rounding numbers or counting coins is not only making a huge difference in their lives but also in mine. Central Catholic and De La Salle Blackfeet School have given us the opportunity to do something great with our lives.
Learning about the Blackfeet culture has also been a great part of the trip. Coming into town on Sunday we saw the tribal government complex, Sundance Lodge, and children riding bareback on horses. In the classes we have also learned a lot about the Blackfeet. Blackfeet translations of numbers ("na tsi koo poo doo" means "twelve") and common phrases ("ah sah pee nah koo nii ta ka" means "good morning, my friend") hang on the classroom walls. The school staff makes sure to incorporate the culture into every school day. After morning announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance, the Blackfeet Flag Song is played. There is always a Blackfeet word of the day and occasionally a prayer in Blackfeet is read. The school goes even further to make sure their culture and tradition don't slip away.
Today, Wednesday, the fourth grade went to the Museum of the Plains Indian just down the street. We all got to see the traditional clothing and weapons of the students' ancestors. All were excited to be there and learn about their people's rich history. After talking to the students for a while, they all seemed interested in continuing the traditions of their heritage. They see what we see, that their culture is extremely vulnerable to both self-destruction and destruction from the surrounding world. There are many members of the tribe who are fighting to perserve their heritage. It is a tough battle against drugs, alcohol, and apathy.
Coming to the Blackfeet reservation in Montana has been a great experience so far. It is hard to believe that we will be leaving in only a few days. The entire community here on the reservation is very close but also welcoming. I expect it to be a tough transition back in Pittsburgh both physically and mentally. It will be hard to leave such a great place that I've come to love, good and bad.
Greg Saxon '14
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| Greg Saxon '14 |
The Parable of the Beaver
Montana is known for its beautiful wilderness. In Montana there are many different animals, from the buffalo to the beaver. Yesterday, Mr. Harry Barnes told us many stories about the wilderness around us, and its history.
Mr. Barnes started by telling us a little about his background. He is half Blackfeet and half Irish, so his childhood was spent embracing his Irish heritage to avoid be picked on by his childhood friends. However, as he got older he learned to appreciate his Native American roots. He moved onto the reservation and opened his own business, Blackfeet Construction Supply, that is Indian owned and operated
Along with telling us about himself he also told us some history of his people. He emphasized the economic history of the Blackfeet tribe. Two events in history that dramatically shifted the Blackfeet economy were the introduction of horses and the treaty with the U.S. government. The introduction of the horses made hunting much more mobile and improved performance in battle. The Blackfeet could shoot arrows from horseback. Horses also made traveling easier and more popular. The Treaty was important because every Native American received land (reservations), clothes, food, and free education.
At the conclusion of his talk he mentioned that his business' logo is a beaver. He described how the beaver modifies its own environment to suit its needs by buildings dams that slow down the flow of the water. He thinks of himself as a beaver, because his Indian-owned business (a log in the dam) slows the flow of money (water) and keeps it on the reservation. He envisions a day when more Indian-owned businesses (more logs for the dam) flourish on the reservation and keeps the cycle of community re-investment going.
A few of us took the talk too literally and built a dam in the river behind the Mission later that day. It was pouring rain but we still worked on the dam. Many will say that we took the phrase "YOLO" a bit too far, but I think it gave us an opportunity to work together and bond. The dam isn't finished yet, but when it is, mark my word it will be sick!
#DLSBSImmersion2012
#RollVikes
Ryan Wiederstein '14
Mr. Barnes started by telling us a little about his background. He is half Blackfeet and half Irish, so his childhood was spent embracing his Irish heritage to avoid be picked on by his childhood friends. However, as he got older he learned to appreciate his Native American roots. He moved onto the reservation and opened his own business, Blackfeet Construction Supply, that is Indian owned and operated
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| Harry Barnes |
At the conclusion of his talk he mentioned that his business' logo is a beaver. He described how the beaver modifies its own environment to suit its needs by buildings dams that slow down the flow of the water. He thinks of himself as a beaver, because his Indian-owned business (a log in the dam) slows the flow of money (water) and keeps it on the reservation. He envisions a day when more Indian-owned businesses (more logs for the dam) flourish on the reservation and keeps the cycle of community re-investment going.
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| Tom Ceraso Working on the First Dam |
#DLSBSImmersion2012
#RollVikes
Ryan Wiederstein '14
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| Ryan Wiederstein '14 |
Community Life
Community Life is another aspect of our Immersion Program. Knowing we would be living in close quarters in the bunkhouse, we prepared ourselves to cooperate with one another. Friendships were made starting in the airport. Ryan had a great idea to bring us all together. All of us spread out in the Spokane Airport and lip-synched "Call Me Maybe" for his video camera. We all laughed and had a good time. By the time we got to the bunkhouse the next morning, everyone smelled funky and were exhausted. However, we conjured up enough energy to take a journey to the buffalo jumps down the road. We walked as team so we could bond and become like brothers.
Another way we build community is over our meals. Sunday evening, we had some delicious beefy mac and cheese made by Brother Dale and the Lasallian Volunteers community, but for the rest of the week, two students pair up to prepare dinner. On Monday, Tom and Zach made some pasta and chicken for us. Tuesday's dinner was made by JD and Greg. Their pierogi pizza and the Nutella crepes were phenomenal.
At the Mission property, three Lasallian Volunteers (LV) - Amy, John and Aurora - and two Christian Brothers live in community on the property and are great hosts for us. On Monday night, Amy and a couple of us played a game outside called "ninja" for about an hour. John Joyce '08 is the second CCHS alum to serve as an LV. He and Amy spent some time last night discussing the LV program and what they've gained from their experience thus far.
We all have formed bonds with each other on this trip through our experiences at the school and our community life at the Mission.
#rollvikes
#DLSBSImmersion2012
Matt Stalter '14
Another way we build community is over our meals. Sunday evening, we had some delicious beefy mac and cheese made by Brother Dale and the Lasallian Volunteers community, but for the rest of the week, two students pair up to prepare dinner. On Monday, Tom and Zach made some pasta and chicken for us. Tuesday's dinner was made by JD and Greg. Their pierogi pizza and the Nutella crepes were phenomenal.
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| Zach Javosky Chopping Chicken |
At the Mission property, three Lasallian Volunteers (LV) - Amy, John and Aurora - and two Christian Brothers live in community on the property and are great hosts for us. On Monday night, Amy and a couple of us played a game outside called "ninja" for about an hour. John Joyce '08 is the second CCHS alum to serve as an LV. He and Amy spent some time last night discussing the LV program and what they've gained from their experience thus far.
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| John Joyce '08 |
We all have formed bonds with each other on this trip through our experiences at the school and our community life at the Mission.
#rollvikes
#DLSBSImmersion2012
Matt Stalter '14
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| Sam, Ryan, Matt and Nick |
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Battle Wounds in Browning
Last night we visited with Dr. Mary DesRosier over dinner. Mary is a family practice doctor here on the reservation. In fact, she was the very first to grow up on the rez, receive her medical education off the reservation, and then come back. She was telling us that coming back really was a huge deal. If people on the reservation somehow find an opportunity to get off, they generally take it and don't look back. She not only came back but is doing everything she can as a general practice doctor to improve her community.
Mary gave us a lot of background on the reservation's healthcare system. The Native Americans had their own medicines for thousands of years. Herbalists and Spiritual Healers were helping their people for as long as they have been here. But when our government came in, the traditional ways of practicing medicine were outlawed. In its place, the government instituted a special healthcare system first through the military and then through the Department of the Interior. The Indian Health Service (IHS), while not instituted until the mid 1950s, is better than the original systems imposed on the Indians, but still has its problems.
The first day we were in Browning I got the opportunity to see this system up close, but not how I would have liked. Playing a pickup football game I collided with another student. He is fine. I busted my lip open. After Mr. Sudnik got me to the hospital twenty minutes away, I experienced a minor wait in the ER before getting stitched up and sent on my way.
From what I could see, the IHS hospital had its problems, and Mary's talk confirmed my suspicions. Talking to the nurse while I was being processed, I found out I was lucky enough to have my accident during a slow period. On that day alone, the hospital had to fly out two patients within the same hour. In addition, my nurse forgot to take my vital signs. Mary told us that while casualty rates were high on the res, one of their biggest issues was the fact that they could not find permanent doctors to work there. The doctor that sewed up my lip was a private contractor, who would fly out, work for a week, then fly back home to Iowa for a week. A large number of workers at the IHS hospital are private contractors. Funding, or lack thereof, is also a big problem. We are here at the end of the fiscal year, which means the funding the hospital got from the government is almost gone. Thus, they had to continually make service cuts to continue operating until they get more money when the new fiscal year begins.
I could tell, when I was there, that the hospital had some issues. It wasn't until Mary talked to us that I really began to understand exactly what those issues were. My injury may have been small, but the impact this place has had on us is not. I don't think I'll ever forget about this trip now.
Jack Fogarty '13
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| Dr. DesRosier Speaks to the Group |
The first day we were in Browning I got the opportunity to see this system up close, but not how I would have liked. Playing a pickup football game I collided with another student. He is fine. I busted my lip open. After Mr. Sudnik got me to the hospital twenty minutes away, I experienced a minor wait in the ER before getting stitched up and sent on my way.
From what I could see, the IHS hospital had its problems, and Mary's talk confirmed my suspicions. Talking to the nurse while I was being processed, I found out I was lucky enough to have my accident during a slow period. On that day alone, the hospital had to fly out two patients within the same hour. In addition, my nurse forgot to take my vital signs. Mary told us that while casualty rates were high on the res, one of their biggest issues was the fact that they could not find permanent doctors to work there. The doctor that sewed up my lip was a private contractor, who would fly out, work for a week, then fly back home to Iowa for a week. A large number of workers at the IHS hospital are private contractors. Funding, or lack thereof, is also a big problem. We are here at the end of the fiscal year, which means the funding the hospital got from the government is almost gone. Thus, they had to continually make service cuts to continue operating until they get more money when the new fiscal year begins.
I could tell, when I was there, that the hospital had some issues. It wasn't until Mary talked to us that I really began to understand exactly what those issues were. My injury may have been small, but the impact this place has had on us is not. I don't think I'll ever forget about this trip now.
Jack Fogarty '13
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| Jack Fogarty '13 |
First Impressions
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| "The Bus" |
Just as the bus pulled in, the faculty, administration, and students were preparing to commence their morning ritual of prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, Blackfeet Pledge, and announcements. I could not help but think this was like any other Catholic Lasallian school in the country. Then the grades were separated and the Central students as well, then all initial perceptions went out the proverbial window.
As I accompanied the sixth grade to their classroom, I observed many differences from the attitudes to the different cliques of kids and an exchange of gestures and greetings. Eventually, the kids were herded into their seats and an aire of innocence was returned. But as I began to carefully examine the students as they were in class, I witnessed a young boy use his mechanical pencil to imitate an addict injecting heroin into his arm. My first reaction was "Dear God, why did you bring us here?"
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| Working in the Classroom |
But after that sobering moment, I began to watch the students very closely during their studies. I saw some of the sixth grades kids struggle with their arithmetic and some sentence formation but they persevered. Yes, they have a difficult time but they are trying their best to grasp the basic concepts that we have tendency to take for granted. These children are products of a depressing environment but they are so determined to make they best of the situation. The De La Salle Blackfeet School and its teachers are here to guide these strong, determined, wonderful children along their way to future and their post secondary studies.
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| Working in the Classroom |
J.D. Macioce '13
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| The Author at Work |
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