Young people must accept Elders' values

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Native priests must adhere to the vow of celibacy but it is an obstacle for the Native community according to Father Guy Lavallee.

Although the road is long, it is important that native people work within the church to try to right the inequalities and struggles of Aboriginal people, he adds.

Young Native people have a lot to learn from their Elders and must be open to accept the values and the teachings of their betters because these basic truths are what the Elders hold dear to their hearts, he said.

"Native people today have within themselves the human resources to give expression to their faith according to their cultural framework and world views," he said.

Father Lavallee is a 47-year-old "full blooded Metis" from ST. Laurent, Manitoba and is currently studying for his masters degree in anthropology at the University of British Columbia. He is the youngest of 14 children and although is parents spoke Saulteaux they never taught their children the language.

Lavallee has been involved in community development, is a founding member of the Manitoba Metis Federation of the Native Council of Canada and was involved in the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood. His other accomplishments include such achievements as acting as a fund raiser for the World Council of Indigenous People and a social worker with the National Indian Brotherhood.

The priest has also worked with many Native people in communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.