Post-secondary training empowers aboriginal believers
Canadian Christian post-secondary schools are forging partnerships with First Nations ministries and communities, in hopes of strengthening indigenous communities and empowering a new generation of Christian aboriginal leaders.
"The needs are great," says Patti Victor, a Sto:lo pastor from Cheam Reserve in B.C. "If you look at any statistics, [aboriginal people] have a very small percentage of even high school students who graduate. Schools are still a place where there is lots of hurt, prejudice and there are lots of systemic issues around universities that, in the eyes of aboriginal people, are insurmountable."
In August 2012, Trinity Western University (TWU), which sits on traditional Sto:lo territory, hired Victor as a Siya:m. Siya:m means respected leader in the Sto:lo language of Halkomelem.
"In the community a Siya:m is someone who is respected for a particular area of knowledge or wisdom," Victor explains. "At the university it also [involves] spiritual and personal mentoring with aboriginal students. I am here to support students, so that when they go back to the reserve, or the city where they live, they have [received] a quality education."
Victor says aboriginal university students who come from rural communities often have a lower quality high school education, but face enormous pressure from their village to succeed. They also face serious culture shock adapting to campus life and strict timetables.
"The lifestyle and the mindset of aboriginals is different," she says. "For aboriginal people, relationship and community is their strength. If you have other aboriginal people who are walking the journey with you, if you have an aboriginal role model you can come to and talk about some of these issues without judgement, it is always easier."
Candace Bighead is becoming one of those role models. The Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, resident is a Bethany College alumna. She credits her two years at the Hepburn, Saskatchewan, Bible school with lifting her out of the struggles of her home community.
"They don't allow you to drink on campus, so when I went home I didn't drink," she explains. "A lot of aboriginals struggle with addictions. In my family I'm the only one who doesn't."
Bighead attributes much of the change to the relationships she developed at Bethany. She says the community of Christian peers and mentors enabled her to step away from the bad choices she was making and rediscover herself and her talents.
"[Staff] always asked how I was doing. It gave me a different perspective and helped me be empathetic. Now I look at the people around me and I'm not as harsh as I used to be."
Back on the reserve now, Bighead's colleagues are impacted by her presence. They know she doesn't tolerate gossip, they don't swear around her and they act more respectfully because of her faith. She says the changes have increased her self-respect and given her confidence.
Another Bethany student, Terri Omani, was encouraged and inspired by a professor who shared her passion for children's ministry. After three years' study, Omani returned to her reserve and is now helping coordinate several children and youth outreaches.
"I [am] starting Awana in my reserve," She states. "[A local church] asked me to be their key contact on the reserve. We are also doing a youth group at my home church in Big River."
For years, Omani volunteered at kids camps, developing strong relationships with many of the children. She says her studies made her a better mentor, deepening her understanding of scripture and equipping her to help youth work through their struggles.
Omani's experience of Bible college inspired one of her cousins, who is now studying at Horizon College and Seminary.
An outreach initiative at Bethany involves sending second-year students on mission trips to reserves. Students spend time fellowshipping with believers, fostering relationships in the community and leading Bible studies. That's how Keshia Cook found out about the college.
"They came to my reserve and put on VBS," says Cook, who was 14 at the time. "I have been really impacted by that program. It was an encouraging time being strengthened in the Word and fellowshipping with other people who love the Lord. I was pretty sure I wanted to go to Bethany after I graduated."
And she did. Cook just completed her fourth year at Bethany. Although growing up she wanted to move as far from the reserve as possible, that changed during her studies.
"I want to become a missionary, but I want to do missions back home. God has given me a heart for the north."
Cook is already seeing an impact, especially in her family. When she first went to school, Cook says her mother was not open to hearing the gospel. Today her mother loves Jesus and the two often have Bible studies.
"It shows on her face that she loves God and she knows He loves her," Cook states. "My family still struggles with addiction and brokenness, but they know there is hope and that hope is in Christ. If that's the only impact I have, it was totally worth it."
Victor says her role at TWU includes sharing her knowledge about aboriginal issues with the faculty, fostering dialogue to help avoid misunderstandings, and advocating for greater support for aboriginal Christians.
"We need strong help in aboriginal churches to disciple and mentor the aboriginal people. We need to have leaders who understand and relate to the issues and know the power of God to help overcome them. So people need to be educated in order to fulfil those roles."
In an effort to help equip aboriginal believers, Tyndale University College in Toronto, Ontario, recently partnered with the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies to offer a Master of Theological Studies in Indigenous Studies degree. The program is entirely designed and taught by aboriginal scholars.
"Christian post-secondary institutions that aspire to prepare the next generation of leaders...need to find ways to learn from and include Canada's First Peoples," says Tyndale's senior vice president, Janet Clark.
To encourage aboriginal students to consider Christian education, some schools are helping out financially.
Briercrest College and Seminary, in Caronport, Saskatchewan, recently created a bursary for indigenous students, named after the Jolly family. The four Cree brothers—Abraham, Allan, Joseph and Howard—are "distinguished alumni" who have gone on to make significant contributions in education, economic development, counselling and pastoral work.
"When we look at where they've gone and what they've done, we see excellence in all kinds of areas," says associate professor Brian Gobbett in a news release. "[They are] real leaders within the Cree community."
David Johnson, president of Providence University College and Theological Seminary in Otterburne, Manitoba, says First Nations communities have much to offer the Church. Providence recently announced a new bachelor's degree in Community Development Studies, which will be designed and delivered by indigenous scholars.
Johnson believes Canadian Christians need to encourage and support the First Nations people in developing their gifts.
"Most First Nations communities already have a sizable population of Christians, so the issue is not one of evangelistic outreach," he explains. "The issue is one of partnering with First Nations people in strengthening the Church as a whole.
"New and better partnerships will help Christian higher education to reflect what the Church should be, people from every tribe and language and nation joining hands around the throne to worship the Lamb."
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
