Blackfoot Ministry by Forrest Liggett

Over the past year, there have been several trips made by IMCA members to the Blackfoot reserve located in Alberta, Canada. The ministry taken to the Blackfoot people appeared in several forms. There were numerous home visits made on the reserve by our IMCA members, where many prayers were offered for the Blackfoot people including administrations for the sick and afflicted. During one of these trips, plans were made to assist the Siksika Nation (Blackfoot) to put on a youth camp during the month of August.

On August 9th, several members of IMCA, their families and five older youth gathered at the parking lot of CPRS (Center Place Restoration School) in Independence, Missouri to begin our trip to Alberta, Canada for a youth camp on the Blackfoot Reserve. After all of the gear was stowed we formed a circle for a group prayer. This was to be the first of many group prayers as our caravan of five vehicles headed north linked together by CB radios. Charlie Beck provided most of the entertainment on the long trip.

After a day and a half we reached the Canadian border. The border guards pulled Bob McFarland and I over and let the other three vehicles go on through. Bob and I went into the office and a fairly extensive investigation ensued. They finally found a technicality that camp counselors not residents of Canada must have a special emigration physical. This was Sunday and the nearest large town was an hour back down the road. Then the officer found out their were three more car loads of people. When the officer came outside to tell the group the bad news, he was surprised to see a group of nineteen people waiting. By now we had been delayed an hour and a half.

The officer went inside and Jesse Harris recommended a group prayer. We formed a circle and asked for the Lord's help. A few minutes later the officer returned. He had called his superior and received permission to send us on our way. Our prayers were answered. Now we all had a testimony that the Lord wanted us on this mission.

Monday afternoon we arrived at the town of Gleichen, which is part of the Siksika Nation. We met with Bernie Bear Hat, the camp director, who took us to the campsite. It was a beautiful area in a valley along the Bow River. I'm really sorry I forgot my camera. We set up our camp and then members of the tribe's tourism group arrived with four large tepees. We helped set up the lodges which took quite a while. I Tuesday about eighty youngsters from about ten to fifteen years of age arrived. This was the first youth camp in ten years on the reserve so the personnel in charge were learning as the camp progressed. We all pitched in and helped wherever we could; gathering firewood, making fires, cooking, volleyball, staying in some of the tepee's as counselors and just making friends.

During the camp some of the Siksika elders (the old ones) came and told stories around the campfire and taught the children to play "hand games" which are very similar to the games the Osage play. We also were able to share stories and handed out copies of "The First Americans" from FRAA (Foundation for Research on Ancient America). These were well received. We also gave Book of Mormons to the adults in the camp.

Thursday the money for food ran out and the camp had to be disbanded. We loaded up our camp (tents and supplies) along with Gerald "Danu" MeltingTallow, our Blackfoot friend and a church member, and brought him back home with us. We had a safe journey even though our tents were almost blown away in a storm Thursday night.

The Lord blessed all of us for our efforts in opening the door a little wider in this part of the vineyard. Before leaving, the Blackfoot were already talking about next years youth camp. I hope we can arrange another trip to see our Blackfoot friends next year.