One in Christ: Lutherans and Canada’s First Nations People

by Randy Heide

With COVID-19 our world has changed. We are not permitted to live life the way we did even at the beginning of March 2020. We have been isolated and separated from our communities, neighbours, and even to some degree our families. Thankfully as I write this article, the isolation is beginning to be relieved, and there is hope that by next year everything could be back to how we are accustomed to living.

When we look at our Northern Canadian communities and the First Nations people that live with us in this magnificent country we call Canada, we must realize that the world for First Nations peoples likewise changed dramatically more than 400 years ago as colonialism began and spread across the country. Their nomadic lifestyle was first restricted and eventually taken away. They were pushed to settle into reservations. They were introduced to alcohol, and to European diseases. Their children were taken away from their communities, families, and way of life, and brought to Residential schools as early as 1831, where their names, language, and identities were removed in an attempt to teach them colonial ways. A variety of other abuses were experienced, and depression, suicide and violence were often a result. It was only in 1996 that the last of the Canadian residential schools was closed in Saskatchewan. It is with mixed emotion that survivors of both the Residential schools and the various forced adoption “scoops” recall both what they endured as well as some positive relationships developed.

Can we change the past? No—but we are not being asked to. We are being asked to walk alongside our First Nation brothers and sisters in the faith today—to laugh with them, to cry with them, and to share the hope and comfort we have through Jesus Christ.

Today we cannot change the past or what happened. There is no way we can make up for the struggles caused to the First Nation peoples of Canada, as attempts were made by the Crown to change how they lived, how they saw the settlers who were now part of their country, and how they viewed this new world around them.

The work Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (LAMP) has been doing for fifty years in no way attempts to dismiss or place judgement on what was done in the past. The work we are called to do is simply share the love we have for Jesus with a people who already know, believe, and love Jesus.

In the short time I have been serving with LAMP, I have witnessed a people who desire to know more about the Word of God, who seek a better understanding of their relationship with God, and who want to grow in the grace of Jesus’ forgiveness and merciful love. I do find people who are angry—who reject and push away the faith because of the hurts and struggles they have experienced. But most First Nations people I have met are thankful for their relationship with Jesus and are glad to share their journey with me.

I was honoured to participate in the Dr. William Winter School of Ministry (Kingfisher, Ontario), where I was introduced to many of the Oji-Cree Christian leaders from the area and given the opportunity to hear their stories. I heard about their struggles with tragedy and sickness, and how these situations often influence the entire community, as people are so closely interconnected. What they sought at this weeklong study of the Book of Romans came into full view for me as we walked through the epistle’s fifth chapter: they wanted to hear once again the reassurance of the Gospel as they minister to each other. What they wanted to hear was that Jesus loved them—that they need not do anything for His grace and mercy but simply receive His love through the cross and empty Easter tomb. They want to know the love Jesus has for them in this life and the next. They want to have assurance as they minister to others around them and grieve alongside them.

When LAMP enters a community, it is our position not to come with preconceived ideas as to what they need from us. Instead we meet with the community leaders and ask what needs they have and how we can help. And every community without exception has asked that we help their children. Therefore, the key focus for our work begins with summer Vacation Bible School missions, grows into Youth Outreach, and from there expands to include visits with women of the community in a formal Tea, and if possible with the men in a less formal rod and reel time (fishing). As relationships with various communities have developed we have been asked to lead Parenting and Marriage Workshops to help young couples connect the love of Jesus with a scriptural base for marriage and family relationships.

The congregations and teams from Canada, along with the majority of our supporting teams and congregations from the United States, adopt the communities of Northern Canada they serve. These trips aren’t one-off summer mission ‘holidays’; these servants of Christ are committed to serve the community year-round, some having served for more than 30 years. Praying for the community, staying in touch through social media and phone visits, and even making Community Winter trips, as opportunities allow. Often when tragedies and struggles strike the community, LAMP’s teams and mission staff contact community leaders to pray for and with them, at times making special trips into communities to make direct contact with those in need. Last June I was able to fly into Sandy Lake Ontario as Pastor Pilot Dennis Ouellette brought LWML Prayer blankets to the parents and family affected by a teen’s suicide. It was his focus to pray with and comfort them, reminding them that Jesus was with them in their grief and loss.

Can we change the past? No—but we are not being asked to. We are being asked to walk alongside our First Nation brothers and sisters in the faith today—to laugh with them, to cry with them, and to share the hope and comfort we have through Jesus Christ. This is the vision of LAMP, looking forward to that day when all nations walk together in the light of Christ. From the Revelation of St. John 7:9-12, we read:

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

Do you believe in that same vision? May the Holy Spirit lead you to learn more and to become part of this ministry, as we learn about the forgiveness of Christ from our First Nation brothers and sisters—and as we celebrate the consolation and hope of Christ we share together. Thanks be to God for the gift of Christ’s mercy and love which covers us all with His righteousness.

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Rev. Randy Heide is a Missionary Pastor with Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots.

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