Siksika Nation Ministries (Blackfoot Ministry) by Richard Hensley

Several brethren, Leroy Campbell, Forrest Liggett and Richard Hensley made another important trip to the Blackfoot Reserve in Alberta, Canada April 25-29. Gerald Melting-Tallow and his wife, Lois, invited IMCA to visit the Siksika Nation (Blackfoot). They are members of the church and have been instrumental in opening the doors of ministry on the reserve where they live. This was the fourth trip made by IMCA.

Gerald and Lois live near the little town of Cluny. Upon arrival we drove to the tribal office located in Gleichen, where we visited with Gerald Sitting Eagle. He is a family and youth counselor and works with the youth in the tribal .Juvenile .Justice system. He is desirous to sponsor youth camps and introduced us to Bernie Bear Hat, who is in charge of the youth support group. We had an excellent visit with Bernie. He expressed a desire for our assistance in several youth camps. IMCA is exploring the possibility of FRAA youth going to Canada to help in a camp.

During our stay we accepted an invitation by Gerald Sitting Eagle to attend a youth Pow- wow. There were many young participants and a good spirit prevailed. The reigning Siksika Princes was honored and then the election and crowning of the new Siksika Princes took place.

One of our visits on the reserve included a very distinguished elderly gentleman by the name of Nat Owl Child. He is a leader in the Horn Society which is instrumental in organizing spiritual gatherings. Upon entering his home he began to read selected verses from the Book of Mormon. We soon found out he was a member of the church. He is very well read and has made quite a study of religion. He showed us several old Bibles he had used over the years. We told him of the Inspired Version of the Bible which we use and he was desirous to obtain one. IMCA will be sending him the I. V. of the Bible along with other reading materials. He was also excited about the prospect of youth camps. Nat shared with us an old traditional story that a white man, whom they believe to be Christ, came down out of heaven and ministered to them. So you can understand why the Book of Mormon would be accepted by the Siksika people.

Sunday we picked up Gerald Melting Tallow and continued visiting. We attended the Anglican church service and visited with their pastor, Mervin Wolfleg. Richard knew him from his Indian Ministry activities with the RLDS church in the past. Mervin, Gerald Sitting Eagle and others attended world conference Indian Ministry activities years back. Mervin was anxious to know how the church people he knew then were doing. We had a most enjoyable visit. That afternoon we attended the Mormon Church (LDS) and had a nice cordial visit. They were very interested in IMCA and our ministry to the Native Americans.

We drove to the Elder's Lodge which is a beautiful facility for the elderly. We visited with the people there. We met a Mormon lady who is a Northern Cree. She said we would certainly be welcome on her reserve as her people were suffering terribly from alcohol and drug abuse. Looks like another door has opened.

Gerald wanted to show us their new police service building. J.R. (Bob) Reid who is the Chief of Police there, gave us a first class tour. The facility houses the Police Department, with its modern computer hook-up, but the ambulance, Fire Department and Justice Court facility is not yet fully operational. They hope to have the funds soon so that all departments will be functioning.

Gerald Melting Tallow donated a tipi to IMCA which we brought back with us. On our return trip to Calgary, we visited Clifford Crane Bear, curator of the Indian artifacts at the Glen Bow Museum. Clifford is a most intelligent person and very knowledgeable of his heritage as Blackfoot, but also of many other native cultures. He was excited about youth camps and said he would lend his services.

It appears that the door of opportunity for ministry has been opened for IMCA to go to the Siksika People. We thank the Lord for his Guiding Spirit and we solicit your prayers and support to this ministry.