Make Yourself at Home…

Today marks our third day at the De La Salle Blackfeet School yet it feels as though we have been here for years. My heart has found rest here, the wide skies, open planes and people who accept you as immediate family make this community feel as warm and welcoming as the sunlit adoration chapel.

How is it that somewhere so far from everything I know has already become my home? Yesterday as the kiddos geared up for their Christmas play in the gym Devan and myself were able to steal away to the Little Flower Church across the street for some prayer time. I found a side chapel, where sunlight streamed in on the Tabernacle clothed in an Indian beaded cover. Father Ed was surprised to discover me there, however he told me, “Make yourself at home here.” It feels like home, I wish I could say it better, but despite what our language arts teacher may say…sometimes words fail.

I ache knowing how far behind the kids are from the state standards for their grade levels. However I continually learn the importance of living in the present. Christ meets you where you are, not where you wish you were, and it is meeting these kids here in their time of need, in their fleeting laughter and contagious joy that has brought me closer to God in these past days. Their eagerness to enjoy each other and seize the day inspires me and keeps me on my toes. I also find myself laughing at things I haven’t laughed at in ages (for example, farting ketchup bottles). We are all children of God, and no matter what we live through we are meant to keep that childlike excitement and gaze. That presence has been nurtured by playing tag, joking with the kids, and desperately trying to shoot baskets on the playground. The kids playfulness despite their difficult situations reminds me of how we are meant to go on for God. Hold Christ’s hand tight, follow closely in his steps and keep His light in our eyes.

Raven Dryden

Structure

The Evening of
January 8, 2013

As we dive deeper into this experience, I continue to learn about life. On the surface, we look calm and collected, but secretly we are all digging deeper into a reflective understanding of who we are and who we want to be. My initial shock of this adventure came when I realized the reality of being in middle school again and the demanding nature of structure in my life. Yet, this is something that I think we all forget about, as our lives get busier. Is structure important? Is structure something worth maintaining or even establishing in life? I had the opportunity to dive into these questions today and really create an understanding for myself of what they mean. As I was journeying through the day, I found myself heading to Native American Studies with the students in seventh grade. What I beheld as the class unfolded was a powerful presentation of family and structure. Mrs. Rides At The Door, the Native American Studies teacher, asked each student to give a synopsis of a presentation they had preparing on the topic of people important in the Blackfeet Oral Tradition. Each student, a bit shy and highly rested from break, gave a little information before thankfully surrendering the conversation to Mrs. Rides At The Door, who seemed to present a vivid history for each student. As more and more connections were made, the seventh graders themselves began to realize to what extent they were connected in their family history. I was fascinated not only by the stories but also by the ability each of these individuals to understand where they had come from, and then, from there to be able to discern where they want to direct their energies for life.
I recently read a book discussing loneliness in our society. One of the topics it addressed was rootlessness (the separation of the individual from their family and past). The apparent connection of the book with school came when I realized that I could barely tell the story of those who came before me to make my life in its current form possible. Often times we are tired of our story, but really it is an advantage to understanding ourselves through the opportunities we have been given. The story of each of our families is no doubt empowering, funny, chaotic, sad, rough, and no doubt intriguing. Our story is unique and is a force that we can use effectively if only we are willing to take time to listen, whether it be in the silence of a past loved one or the superfluous, passionate story of a grandpa. Let us not forget who we are!!!
Codi Krueger
Junior

Hectic Days

Hello and thanks for following us!

Our two days in Browning thus far have been hectic. The mornings are early but as we drive the 10 miles into town the sunrise is amazing behind us and the silhouette of the mountains with Glacier Park in front of us is majestic. Once we get to school the day begins with lots of activity. Everyone is beginning to settle in to the routine. I was recruited today to sub for the school receptionist so have had a different experience of interacting with students, teachers and parents. I think after a day of answering telephones, sorting mail and finding items for people i have a new appreciation for the front office of a school!

The group has been doing a terrific job of being present and helpful where ever they can. As we reflected last night there were a lot of great stories of interactions with kids and with teachers. The teachers here are all young and many of them are volunteers, giving this year to be here for an experience of service and a small stipend. I asked the Carroll students to really observe today the service these teachers are giving and think about the difference they are making in the education of these kids. I am hoping this will serve as an opportunity for each one of these students to think about a year of service in their own lives once they are done with college. Though in many respects this is a very ordinary rural town with challenges of poverty and addiction this school is a special place of service. Being here this week is a gift and I am excited to see what is yet to come.

Peace,
Colleen

The First Day of School

Greetings from Browning, MT!
Let me tell you, did we have a fun filled and energetic day at De Le Salle Blackfeet School! Returning to middle school was both exciting and frightening but at the end of the day we were all bursting with stories to share about our students. We were placed in teams of 2/3 in the classrooms of grades 4-8.
Fred, Colin, and I held down the fourth grade students in Ms. Stack’s room. When we arrived at the school I think we were more intimidated than the students to open up and say hello, but we were soon reminded of the innocence of a child’s heart. For them, loving is so simple and they welcomed us with open arms.
Throughout the day we participated in each subject ranging from religion to math. We also played at recess, shared lunchtime, and had birthday snack with a student!! It was inspiring to remember how thrilling the classroom life of middle school education can be. The students get so excited about learning, even if they wouldn’t admit it. Personally reading with a young girl during library time was very rewarding. Halfway through reading time she looked up at me and exclaimed, “Isn’t this just such a great book!” I couldn’t help but smile knowing that I was making a difference simply by being present to her.
This evening after heading home we hiked up to a near by cemetery. Raven, Fred, Alaina, Tessa, and I finished preparing a chili dinner while sitting around the fire with activities. These activities consisted of some hardcore bible trivia and narrative reading of the hobbit! Sounds nerdy I’m sure but spending time with each other was awesome. Following dinner we drove about two miles down the road to look at the big sky and star gaze. I’ve never seen so many stars! It was a wonderful way to end a perfect day.

With love from Browning!

Devan Hromcik

This Is Beautiful

Well with the wind at our backs… and our faces we arrived in Browning! Brother Ray quickly briefed us on what to expect during the next few days. We were assured that aside from gopher holes, grizzly bears, badgers, coyotes, and mountain lions it was perfectly safe to go and explore. . . So leaving Colleen to cheer on her Seattle Seahawks, the rest of us went to hike up the Buffalo Jump.

We reached the top of the Buffalo Jump with the wind blowing from all sides and were bombarded with the most magnificent view imaginable. I couldn’t help but just be taken in by the beauty that surrounded all of us. I quickly found myself a boulder next to the edge of the cliff and just gazed…Everywhere I looked I was met with the knowledge that God is truly a god of beauty. Snow–capped mountains to my right, and cold brown plains to my left with low lying clouds. It was absolutely breathtaking. I had sat down intending to say maybe a decade of the rosary, but I couldn’t. The only thing I could do was just keep saying over and over again in my head, “Wow! God you are great and this is beautiful!” I felt such a sense of freedom and peace, placing all my trust in God and whatever his plan might be for me. It was an absolutely peaceful, if slightly windy time, and a wonderful start to my time in Browning.

Molly Winegart

On The Road

During the holiday break I had grown accustomed to waking up at noon or even later. Today I woke up early to start journey to Browning. The start of our journey included mass at 9 in the St Charles chapel.This was a refreshing moment for life back at Carroll. From Carroll we went to pick up groceries for the dinners we will be cooking, and our bagel orders. After we had grabbed everything we needed to embarked on the journey to Great Falls to pick up Fred, and then to Valier to pick up Nicole. It was smooth driving up to Valier, where we stopped at the good ‘ol Panther Cafe for lunch. When we left Valier to the ranch where we will be staying for the week, the wind seemed to always be perpendicular to the road, no matter what direction we were driving. From behind I probably looked like I was a drunk driver, because I was going in and out of the lane. When we finally arrived at the ranch we were given a brief run down on what we will be doing this week. I am excited to be with the students that we will be working with. We Carroll students will be working with students at the De La Salle Blackfeet School. This school has students from grade 4 to grade 8. We are still unsure what we will actually be doing but I am certain that it will be an exciting week.

Tony Rosales

Preparing for Browning

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

Today’s readings ring true in my heart that is bursting with excitement and anticipation for our immersion experience. In this Christmas season I have found myself reflecting upon how blessed I have been. My beautiful mother, while sitting beneath the tree opening gifts exclaimed, “Raven, this really is a wonderful life!” She is right and she spoke what had so clearly come to my awareness this advent. I feel fortunate to know the gift of love and the gift of being a child of God. But I feel even more fortunate and blessed to have the power to “re-gift” that love. I have no idea what we will encounter in Browning, but I do know we will be experiencing some very real, sobering things. We will see Christ as he is in the world and I am so excited to learn from the way He will work through His children. I pray for open hands to give everything, open hearts to receive whatever graces and that we will love and serve courageously.

Raven Dryden
Missoula, MT

Browning: I came, I saw, I fell in love

I’m sure those of you who have been keeping up with the blog have heard of our activities already, so I’ll tell you what the trip meant for my heart in particular. That first Sunday night at the De La Salle ranch, I felt content and happy. I knew God wanted me in Browning for some reason, and I figured He would point me in the right direction and I’d just follow along. Naturally, that wasn’t exactly how the trip went. When school finally came, I wasn’t sure what to do, I worried I wouldn’t be able to relate to the kids, and I desperately hoped I wouldn’t make the trip a waste. So, I strode into that tiny cafeteria, I set myself down amongst those 14 hormonal eighth graders and prepared myself for a social tidal wave.
Well, they carried me away. The chatting, the moving, the flicking, and the stubbornness were constant, but so was their connection to each other. The kids loved to tease, and occasionally the teasing got to be harsh, but they would quickly repent with an, “I jokes, I jokes.” I was impressed with the inclusion of everyone in and outside of the classroom, even the less extroverted students. I’ll admit, Monday I was a bit lost, but by Tuesday I wanted to stay with those kids and help them in any way I could. Now, I miss them. I hope to go back visit. I’d like to show them what life is like outside of Browning. I wish I could be there to watch them grow and learn more about their Blackfeet culture and spirituality. Nothing and no one kept those kids quiet better than Darnell with her teepee and stories. I was so proud of their respect for her.
I think God got what He wanted from me on this trip. My heart is completely given to those kids, even at their most frustrating (and they can be extremely frustrating). After all, the moments where I get to remove gum from one of the kids’ hair with peanut butter go far to make those exasperating times so much easier. I can’t wait till I get to see them again!

An Interesting Experience…

Waking up to the fog and ice this morning made my soul feel a great sense of peace. The morning light gleamed purple across the Rockies and the dense morning fog covered the plains leaving a sense of mystery and oneness with the land. As I drove into Browning the sun rose shining behind us and grew to expose the beauty of this Reservation. As the light grows stronger and brighter I reflect on the passing day. The day began as normal with class. I have been helping with Ms. Lask’s 7th grade class. She is a good teacher and the kids are fascinating. Sometimes they challenge me and other times I could not wish to be anywhere else. This day was going to be different. At 10 we went over to the parish offices where we meet with a local hardware store owner who talked about Reservation Economics. This was information that was interesting to hear. Unfortunately this caused me to miss a field trip with the 7th graders. On the prompting of some other students however they told me to go on the field trip anyways with a different grade. So I loaded up on the bus with the 5th graders and left to Darnell Ridesatthedoor’s house. This would be an experience that I would even be pondering the next day in the icy morning.
When we got there I did not know what to expect. The teacher, Mr. D, had told me that we were going to see a teepee. That was enough for me. The bus was full of the antics and fun of 5th graders. They were immediately interested in the new face and had a string of questions for me as we rode out there. On arrival we were greeted by Darnell and ushered into the teepee. The ladies entered first sitting on the north side and the boys entered second sitting on the south side. Mrs. Ridesatthedoor then began with smudging first and blessing the teepee. This is a process that involves cleansing yourself so that you are ready to connect with the spirits around you. Her next words were that of the construction of teepees and some of the legends that go with the process. She then went into an explanation of Native American spirituality and history. I think honestly that Chelsea, Hayley and I were more interested than most of the kids. As she spoke however I could not help feeling a bit déjà vu. I felt like I had known what she was going to say and how it tied in. This was fascinating to me since I have never really learned about Native American culture. The whole spirituality here draws one closer to everything around you. Once in however things start to seem different. I think the most amazing part is how close to Christianity their spirituality is. I think that this fact alone makes us more family than any of us realize. I hope that by our coming here we are beginning to change things for the better.
The last experience before I end this blog is about Native American mediation. Coming from a very insightful question by one of the students we got on the topic of good and evil spirits. What then followed was a meditation exercise to recognize the good spirits around you. Darnell led us down a path to washing away all of the bad things in our lives so we could be ready to communicate with our ancestors. The best part of this was how excited the students were to try meditating. Experiencing this was so great. The kids even saw things and their selling out made us college students not only amazed by their spirituality but also awed by their maturity. I hope that I can remember this experience as vividly as it was that day and that this will help draw me closer to this place and these people. I encourage every person to come experience this place and your ideas of reservations and Native Americans will be altered forever for the better.

George Lund