Blackfoot Ministry, North Of The Border by Richard Hensley

On July 25, 1998, IMCA members along with the FRAA interns were north bound for Alberta, Canada to assist the Siksika (Blackfoot) Nation in a youth camp. Last year a small camp was held but was cut short because they ran out of food and funds. This year IMCA received a generous donation for the food for this year's camp.

We arrived Monday the 27th and began to setup camp beside the Bow river at the selected sight. Soon the tipis were up and the kids began to arrive. Later that evening we drove into Gleichen to guide the FRAA team to our remote camp site. The FRAA team consisted of nine interns: Kathy Anderson, William Ballantyne, Havilah Cartwright, Katie Cvitanovich, David Howlett, Bethany Larson, Korin Mason, Jared McGuire, Jeff Nunn; staff: Bonnie Anderson and Roxanne Evans; Eldon Anderson and Marta Hermosilla from Spain staying with the Andersons. This may seem like a large crew but we were glad for this group when 48 kids from the reserve came to the camp. Many of these kids come from broken homes or from dysfunctional homes so this group of kids had special needs and were not the usual kind of group that we were expecting.

Since this was a first time camp between those of the Siksika staff and our IMCA staff, we had to feel our way as the camp progressed. The FRAA team was absolutely outstanding. I attribute the success of the camp to their ministry and perseverance. For most of the kids it was a first time camp experience. Each FRAA intern was assigned a group of kids. They slept in the tipis with them, prayed for them, counseled them and spent all their time with them.

For recreation there was volleyball, soccer and swimming in the river. There were crafts consisting of beaded necklaces and Dream catchers along with several other crafts. The FRAA team gave classes and instructive learning sessions. The IMCA team have become quite the outdoor cooks over an open campfire as we had fantastic meals.

The campers witnessed an administration, the baptism in the river and confirmation of their leader, Quinn Blackrider. Will Platta, our Mescalaro advisory member who accompanied us, sang a special song for Quinn and the kids. Will went to town each day and brought more people to the camp through his visiting and witnessing. Thank you, Will, for taking time from your work to help us with this camp.

As our camp ended on Friday, it was hard for the staff and campers to depart. The Lord had bonded us in his love that week. There was talk by our Siksika brothers and sisters for two camps next year. The Lord willing, we will assist them next summer and continue sending our elders to visit all year long.