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.

Snow-covered wind turbine

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

 

Greg Saxon '14

 

 

 

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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

Harry Barnes

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.

Tom Ceraso Working on the First Dam

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

Ryan Wiederstein '14

 

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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.

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.

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

Sam, Ryan, Matt and Nick

 

 

 

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