Folks fill in the gaps of history

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For generations, Dunvegan in northwestern Alberta near Grande Prairie was the traditional gathering site of the Beaver people. The Elders tell stories of seeing the river flats covered with tipis, long before the establishment of the site as a trading post, mission and market gardens.

But in the early 1900s, when the trading post closed, the Dunvegan Beaver band was dispersed.

Gathering Story, an event sponsored by Grande Prairie Regional College and hosted by the staff at Historic Fort Dunvegan Provincial Park, attracted people from 25 communities in Alberta and British Columbia. The gathering, held May 25 and 26, brought together more than 140 people on the shores of the Peace River in response to the desire of some instructors at the college to encourage the community to fill in some of the omissions and silences of the official history of the area.

Saturday's program included a presentation by Dr. David Leonard, historian and former provincial archivist of Alberta, who provided advice for interviewing people about their past, as well as technical tips for the collection of oral history.

Writer Diane Meili of Peace River said that legends keep wonder alive. She suggested that past hurts could be healed by telling stories about the way people would have liked things to be.

"There are stories inside of us. Bring them out so our great-great-great-grandchildren will know them," she urged.

Saturday evening's feast was offered as a gift from Beaver people who live in the area.

"The sharing at this calm, beautiful gathering characterized the qualities of the Beaver people," said Carol Ferguson, one of the meal's organizers.

"The feast symbolizes the social values of people of the Dunvegan Beaver band," said Thelma Boyd. "The people who come validate and legitimize the story of who we are. We needed all those people. And they came."

Boyd said many Elders were present and comfortable in the setting.

"It was not commercial. There was no show," she added.

Archie Cardinal, who traveled from Marten Lake, a community 100 km east of Peace River, learned more about his grandmother's people. The long journey didn't deter him.

"The gathering was something I've never seen before," he said.

Closer to home, members of the Cummings family of the Fairview area enjoyed a family reunion, the first in 20 years, said Dave Cummings. His sister, Donna Cummings, remembered her mother and grandmother saying they always gathered at Dunvegan.

"We sensed a strong presence of spirit throughout the weekend," she said.

Story circles on various themes-survival, travel, food, spirituality, residential schools-involved many participants on the Saturday evening. However it was the circle of sharing on Sunday morning that told the organizers that the event was a success.

More than 30 participants spoke of the strong sense of healing and spirituality at Dunvegan and its affect on people who have gathered there for thousands of years. Some who were visiting the site for the first time were deeply moved to be walking the land that their ancestors walked years ago.

Stories of regret, loss and pain were told in the supportive atmosphere of the circle. They also told stories of hope for the future of the Beaver people and all people, gratitude for the Creator's guidance and forgiveness, the gift of loving people in their lives, and lessons learned.

A popular place for sharing throughout the weekend was the story wall, assembled by Dr. Laurie Nock, an anthropology instructor at the college.

"It was a privilege to work on the project, and I learned an enormous amount about "story-ing," said Nock.

"It was a good first start," said Michael David, Native counsellor at Valleyview. "It established a connection with the extended Aboriginal community. The Beaver have been scattered throughout the country. It's time for these people to re-connect with the past through stories and the knowledge of the Elders. I hope it cotinues."

Lyn Whitford, Aboriginal liason officer at the college, said that in order for Aboriginal people to be successful in post-secondary education a relationship must be built between them and the college. Then they will be more comfortable coming. Gathering Story was an example of how this can be done.

"For those who teach at the college it was a gift that took them out of the classroom and into contact with the people who made the stories," said Dr. Duff Crerar, history instructor at the college. "We need and treasure a chance to be listeners and hope that in the future more people are able to come and share. And teach us."