Every New Encounter

Abraham Kabazie '15 composing
his blog post.

Our third day on the Blackfeet reservation has finally come and it feels as if the group has just arrived. The endless fields, larger-than-life sky, and the frigid wind made the biggest impressions on my first experience in Montana. As I started to dwell on these first encounters on our way back from the vistas of the revered buffalo jump, the first thought that came to mind was: "How can there be such poverty in such a beautiful place?" This question still continues to manifest with every new encounter I have in Browning.

I kept this question in mind as we walked a couple of blocks to Medicine Bear, the local shelter that feeds and gives care to anybody who stumbles in the door. The other immersion students and I served lunch and sat with the people. As the morning proceeded, almost every preconceived notion we had of this impoverished community was challenged by this new encounter. The context of the conversations I had ranged from sports to government conspiracy theories, but these discussions always included something about the Blackfeet reservation, whether it be the landscape or the hardships that the community faces everyday. The visitors of Medicine Bear told us of the helplessness they feel when confronted by this seemingly endless trend of distress. These claims were reinforced by the presentation we heard from Harry Barnes, a local business owner, who explained the challenges of reservation economics and clearly put into historical context the tough spot in which the Blackfeet are forced to live. Blame is often assigned to the federal government, who had, in history, taken action to control and limit the power of all Native Americans. These events are still fresh in the minds of the Blackfeet and are always the underlying context of a discussion on the state of the reservation.

Though I still have a couple more days to discover an answer to my question, I continue to hold on to my positive experience with the students at De La Salle Blackfeet School and take in the word-illusive (description-defying; mind-boggling; breathtaking; eye-pleasing) landscape that we observe everyday on our ride to and from the school as well as the "born free" aura that is sensed at the Holy Family mission.

Abraham Kabazie '15

P.S. Hi Mrs. Graffia! I'm so glad you're back!

The dizzying pace of pick-up basketball

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A Positive Attitude

It is hard to believe that after two-and-a-half days, we already are halfway through our immersion experience at De La Salle Blackfeet. It's really been a great, eye-opening experience. All of the children seem to be really nice. They have taken to us pretty well and are excited to have guests in their school. I've truly enjoyed being able to learn with them, and I feel as if I have established meaningful connections with them. Despite some of the challenges that exist on the reservation, I am impressed to see the children come into the school every day with a positive attitude, and I think we should all model this positive attitude in our own lives.

There have been a couple exceptional events over the past three days, starting with our experience of the scenery every morning on the bus ride to school. There's a good reason that Montana is called "Big Sky Country" - just look up and see how big the sky appears. The mountains, hills, and flat plains altogether create a picturesque and dreamlike landscape. I'm not sure if I've ever seen more beautiful lands in person, and words cannot describe everything that I've seen, from the mountains of Glacier Park to our experience on the Buffalo Jumps.

Also equally eye-opening was my trip to the Medicine Bear shelter yesterday morning. I was able to serve a hot meal to some of the local homeless and sit with them, listening and making conversation. The atmosphere was very welcoming, and the woman who runs the shelter even gave our group of immersion students a meal to enjoy as their guests. All of the residents were incredibly nice to us and seemed to carry that same positive attitude with them, despite the troubles that they face. We talked to these people for almost two hours, and they were happy to open up and talk to us about themselves and about their lives. It was a moving and eye-opening experience that I'll never forget.

I look forward to the rest of the week at De La Salle Blackfeet School, and I can't wait to share my experiences when I return to Pittsburgh.

Matthew Wisneski ’15

 

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Investing in the Local Economy

After a long weekend of traveling and interesting first day of getting to know the students and the landscape of Montana, we finally got to hear from our first speaker. Harry Barnes, a successful local business owner, chairman of the DLSBS school board, and respected Blackfeet elder, gave us some expert insight on the history of the Blackfeet tribe, how tribal government works and how tribal spending effects the economics of the reservation.

Harry Barnes addresses our immersion group

The history of the Native Americans is one that is rich in culture and spirituality, but, at the same time, is also filled with tragedy and despair. The Indian Wars on the Great Plains with battles such as The Battle of Little Big Horn eventually lead to the Native Americans signing treaties and losing their land to the "white man." By being placed on reservations, the time honored tradition of self-sufficiency was disrupted. Ever since, Native Americans have faced many financial and social problems. Although complying with applicable state and federal law, the Blackfeet reservation has its own tribal laws and government that the people on the reservation must follow. The tribal government is headed up by the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, which pretty much have final say in all Blackfeet reservation affairs.

Governments, at the local, state or federal level, have enormous power when it comes to purchasing. Instead of investing in local, Native-owned businesses like his that could create local jobs, the tribal government purchases goods such as office supplies and janitorial supplies from vendors not located on the reservation. Another idea Harry proffered was to open up a local oil change business which would be the exclusive vendor for the tribal government's fleet of 600 vehicles. By investing in these locally owned businesses, local jobs could be created and wages earned would be spent locally as well. More importantly, employment promotes a sense of self-worth that poverty diminishes. These examples of purchasing decisions have the potential to reinvigorate the local economy and community if the tribal council chooses to set the example.

Sam Heaps '15

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Like the Dewfall

We are often reminded of the presence of the spirit in our Catholic faith. During Mass each week, we respond to the priests greeting "The Lord be with you" with "And with your spirit". The cornerstone of Eucharistic Prayer II, my personal favorite, asks God to make the gifts of bread and wine holy by "sending down his spirit upon them like the dewfall".

Just like the dewfall, God has certainly sent his spirit upon the students, teachers, and immersion participants at the De La Salle Blackfeet School. Saint John Baptist De La Salle once said, "To touch a students heart is the greatest miracle that a teacher can perform," (Med 139.3 - Feast of St. Peter) and that is exactly the situation here. After two days observing and helping the students in fourth grade, my partner Patrick Connolly and I observed the close relationship the students share with their teachers. While we all have our shortcomings at times, the students generally respond to their teachers' questions and instructions with respect, diligence, and thoroughness. The admiration that the children have for their teachers is also very clear through our discussions with them,showing that their hearts have been touched by their work and presence.

I also noticed the presence of the spirit in our interaction with the children during class and at lunch. On Monday, they were clearly shy and nervous about having an immersion group visit them. Because De La Salle Blackeet School begins enrollment at fourth grade, these children have never experienced a visiting immersion group before. By the end of the day, after we had an interactive Q/A session, they were eagerly asking us if we would return the next day. Our presence in their lives quickly touched their hearts, presenting them with positive role models and caring mentors during the week.

The Holy Spirit is with us this week at the De La Salle Blackfeet School and is helping us do our part in the immersion experience. Our work so far seems to be paying off - the children enjoy us helping them and the teachers appreciate our assistance during their lessons and activities. I am grateful that I was inspired by the spirit to journey to Browning, so far from home and my comfort zone, to take part in this rewarding experience. The Lord sent down his Spirit upon all of us, just like the dewfall.

Joseph Rogers '14

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