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Page 17
Paddle Prairie, AB
Her face reflects her long life and hardships, but the inner depths focus on strength, wisdom, and a sense of humor.
One of the first settlers in the area Mary Christian, 95, recalls moving here by horse and wagon.
Born in Grouard, she moved to Wabasca area with her parents. Her father was a trapper and many times she made drymeat to store for winter use.
Talking about dry meat, makes Christian wish she were back in the days when wild meat was plentiful.
She remembers her childhood being surrounded by people. Her father's place was the stopping place, where a lot of trading and visiting took place.
When she married her life was much the same. Her husband use to travel to different settlements by horse and wagon to sell grain for flour. She travelled with him at times but
mostly tended to the children, chickens and cow.
Over the years, Christian has seen many changes in the industrial and technology world, but the attitude of the government towards Native people could use some
improvement she says.
She encourages the young people to stay in school and get the education that is necessary in order to get good paying jobs.
"Long ago, if you were strong and not lazy, you were able to make a good living. Today, these qualities are still good, but the jobs that one is able to get is hard labour or low
paying jobs," she said.
"I hope the young people still maintain their cultural skills, while getting an education. This is important. Our young people are going to be the keepers of culture," she stated.
Chrisitan resides with her youngest son. She had 11 children. Two of the three girls and eight boys are living. Being a widow for a number of years, she kept busy to keep from
getting lonely.
Christian can be seen daily walking with the aid of her cane to visit one of her neighbors She enjoys having people around, acquiring this from a young age.
"If I have anything to say about it, I intend to live a few years, yet," she chuckled.
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