As you skate round the ice with youth from the community, how do you feel....

A great way for us all to connect at a common level. This was an excellent way of initially meeting the youth & getting to know them. Other things are put aside, such as face, culture, religion, and the fact that we barely know one another.

To see the laughter, teamwork, and the ice with the youth, is hard to put into words. It was a way of gaining a certain trust amongst the youth of the community, and was neat to see younger and older youth alike all participating and all being made to feel part of the game.

I believe there is a certain freedom that comes from activities such as this, almost like an outlet or escape from other things that may be going on in one’s life. There was certainly a peace about being out there on the ice skating with the youth of Attawapiskat that I will not soon forget.

---Richard Burkholder

How best can we communicate the effects of sociol-economic impacts on community...

Our home churches are an ideal place to share about the effects of sociol-economic impacts. We can use the service to share our thoughts and experiences of of our trip and expose the South to Attawapiskat. By hearing about our experiences first hand, I believe our community at home will be able to put faces to the people and the community will become more real.

The council asked us to share their community with our own communities down South. We need to share how children are growing up without a good school building. How they are losing out on a better education because there is not enough money to build a new school.

The fact that hope is lost when there is no school and lack of jobs needs to be shared. Maybe comparisons to how we can lose hope when we have periods of unemployment can be made.

---Kathy Shantz

How does the experience of sitting in circle give back to both you and others...

As a group, the circle drew us together. Each night, as more and different persons often joined us, the circle felt smaller and stronger. I think of the symbolism of the woven dream catchers as Andrew described them. By sharing experiences, our lives become interconnected, woven together in a circle of friendship which has no beginning or end.

---Becky Paetkau

As you worship with community, what do you hear...

I hear children playing;
Surrounded by music sung,
Partnered with the tears that are falling.

I brush by family visiting,
I hear souls praying;
Warm thoughts spoken;
I hear community holding community.

---Lyndsay Mollins Koene

When considering your experience in Attawapiskat, how best will you work to make change...

God has led me here, and I have faith that God will open doors for me that will enable me to act. In the mean time, the best thing I know how to do is to just tell anyone who will hear, what I saw, what I learned, and if they’re really open, how my spirit was affected by this experience. First Nations have a very oral tradition when teaching one another, and that’s where and how I feel I can hopefully bring change and all the things that enriched our group and the community; through that very special approach. I hope and pray that I can do this.

---Kristen Shoemaker

When exposed to the challenges faced by community, what challenges you...

How can I really represent Attawapiskat to our leaders in the best way - letter writing...?
How do I actively remember my experience in my daily life?
My experience has challenged my knowledge of the political system and how it works.
I am challenged to be more appreciative, respectful, open and welcoming...genuine.

---Stephanie Stocco

As you look down from the Church tower in Attawapiskat what do you see...

A vast open space toward to Attawapiskat River;
Basically no trees around, and ice on the river;
A new type of beauty!

On the other side, a village which seemed to have what it needs to run a fair life.
It has a hospital, a fire station, a police and ambulance, stores, and schools.

From the top of the tower we didn’t see that the school didn’t function properly.
We didn’t see that many were unemployed
We didn’t see the dead that were laying in state.

---Orlan Martin

As you journey home, what stories will you share with friends and family...

The sharing circles have become an important aspect of my experience because they were my emotional outlet and a source from which to hear about others’ insights and experiences.

I was blown away by the contrast in dynamics of how the community related to us when comparing our experiences at the school to skating at the arena. At the arena, I was overcome with a sense of welcoming from the community. I felt so much more at ease being able to talk to the kids casually there and just hang out with them. Everywhere I looked, kids were asking all of us questions and everyone was laughing and having a good time.

---Leanne

Andrew Koostachin & daughter at the arena

"...our lives become interconnected, woven together in a circle of friendship..."

"...community holding community."

"...the best thing I know how to do is to just tell..."

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