Native spirituality celebrated in Catholic school system

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Mel Gervaise calls himself "pure Metis, right back to the Red River."

A Native Studies teacher/cultural liaison in the Catholic School System in Lloydminster, Gervaise is very serious about joining two strands of his Metis heritage - Catholicism and Native spirituality - something he sees as a natural fit.

It was during a visit to Edmonton's Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples that Gervaise first got to know and admire the work of Rev. James Holland.

Father Jim, as he is affectionately know in his Catholic archdiocese, is a man who celebrates both his European and Cherokee ancestry within his Catholic faith.

It was Gervaise who arranged for Father Jim to help celebrate prayer services at the Holy Rosary High and the Father Gorman Elementary School in Lloydminster as part of the Native Studies programs.

"This kind of service is a celebration of the unity between traditional Native spirituality and Catholicism that enables and enhances the worship of God, of the Creator," said Holland. "It sends out a message, that yes, I can be Native, respect my traditions and be proud of my traditional spirituality within the Catholic faith.

"There are many similarities, spiritually speaking. Aboriginal people have always welcomed everybody, sometimes to their detriment. Caring for the whole group is a Native tradition that we have lost in these modern times. That's the way it should be in the Christian religion. The very Native flavor of drums, sweetgrass, painting and regalia at the Sacred Heart Parish in Edmonton allows Catholic Native people to see that their traditions are respected in the church and that they do not have to apologize to anyone."

The two school services were well attended by students, staff and parents from all cultural backgrounds, introducing many to a new perspective on Native spirituality.

Holland, who wore a moose hide cape, embroidered with woodland floral beadwork, led a group of students in carrying colorful banners depicting the sun, moon and stars and a wooden cross hung with ribbons that honored the four directions and elements.

Large Native inspired prayer murals and a comprehensive display of art based on Native themes gave onlookers some insight into the art programs within the two Catholic schools.

Dale Awasis and Lyle Trottier played hand drums while staff from the Native Friendship Centre introduced staff and students to the sacred smoke of sweetgrass in a smudging ceremony.

A group of Holy Rosary students decked out in bright blue and green face paint gave a presentation of the play Rainbow People, which sent out a message that all people are alike no matter what color, race or religion they follow.

Students were asked to honor the Creator who made the two-legged birds, the four-legged animals, the fish in the rivers and the lakes, oceans and winds of Mother Earth.

Holland explained that unity does not mean that everyone is the same.

"Each of us is created very special. Unity means that all of these people are in one family with the same Creator, our God. We often talk about our differences instead of how we are alike. Some of us are better at singing, some at painting, some at playing instruments. We need to have all of these talents pooled together to make one world."

"The programs in Native Studies 10, 20 and 30 mesh well with this kind of communal prayer service," explained Gervaise. "We study a variety of different spiritual aspects and how they come together, how Native spirituality and Catholicism come together, tying many different stands. The similarities, explains Father Jim, are so close. It's society that pulls us far apart, he said.

A trip to Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples is part of an annual field trip for Native Studies 30 at Holy Rosary High school in Lloydminster.

"The Sacred Heart Parish is all done in Native regalia with a Christian aspect. That is always amazing to our students, of which about 35 per cent are of Native descent. They are all used toseeing a white Madonna, a white Jesus. The way the cross is done in Native colors with a Native perception, that Jesus was an Indian, that the Virgin Mary is an Indian, is amazing to them."

Native Studies 10 deals with history and culture including pre-contact, participation in a sweat, a sharing circle, a sweetgrass ceremony and trips to Waniskewan and an all-Aboriginal high school in Saskatoon (Joe Duquette on Broadway Ave.).

Native Studies 20 offers studies on Indigenous peoples from around the world including Australia, New Zealand, China and Japan. It also looks at the justice system, child welfare and what is being done to solve problems in today's society.

Native Studies 30 teaches the similarities between Native and non- Native spirituality as well as addressing contemporary issues and problems.

"One of our field trips is up north to Prince Albert for a three-day retreat led by an Elder in which the students attend a sweat, Native ceremonies, discuss the negative effects of drugs and alcohol and meet many other Native students," he said. "It is all a little bit scary for our urban Aboriginal students to go into new situations, new schools, but once they try it, they find that there are no real differences, that students everywhere are all the same. And that is what we are aiming for, the understanding that we are all in this together."