Have you ever wondered how you got to be where you are? Did you plan the journey?

When I first left my home on the reserve, I was about 17 years old. My dad Billy McLeod had no worries about my surviving in the world outside our reserve. He had confidence in me, not because I was so smart, but because he felt I would be fine because of my parents’ teachings. He was wise, in that he knew it was time for me to learn new things from the non-native people and to use them well. If I had remained on the reserve, he knew that it would not be beneficial for me.

My dad was a very wise man though he did not even have a basic education. He could not read or write – his signature was an X – but he was an entrepreneur. He created employment for our people, just like so many other men on our reserve. Men and women who had no education managed to create a business for themselves which enabled others to earn a good wage.

When I left the Douglas Lake ranch I went on to town. I worked at several jobs, but I found I was not meant to be in that field, so I quit. By this time I had my children to take care of, which was a full-time job.

When the time came for me to move on again, my journey took me on a new path. I met my husband Lloyd and we got married. His job took us to many places I had never even heard of.

Vancouver Island was one of these places and we moved there to live. I remember the first time I saw the ocean. We were on our way to Campbell River and first we had to take a ferry, which was new for me. As the ferry left the shore, I saw so many new things, like dolphins, whales, and great big ships. We arrived at the other end of this huge body of water, got off the ferry and headed on towards our new home.

The closer we got to Campbell River, the more excited I was. I remember turning a corner on the highway, and there was Campbell River and the vast ocean, the salty air, the big waves. I discovered that the ocean has its own ways – the high tide, which brings the water right up close to the shore and the low tide, which leaves the beach empty of water. During low tide you see creatures like star fish, which are left uncovered by the low tide.

I remember one lady from up north, had never seen the ocean before either, and one night she told me, “I thought I was going bonkers; I know the water was level at the beach last night, this morning the water is gone.”

I had to laugh, because she had never known about high tide or low tide.

Moving to the Island would bring many new adventures, especially meeting the native people there. Their culture and their traditional ways are very different than ours. I found these people to be very friendly and kind. One day, after about six months of living there, a young lady came to our home. She introduced herself as the local hereditary chief’s daughter. I invited her into our home. We exchanged good words with one another, then she said, “My father told me to ask you to do a prayer for our fishermen. They leave soon, for the herring season. We need someone to pray for them.”

I said to the young lady, “I do not know your people’s customs; perhaps you should ask someone from your tribe.”

She replied, “Oh no, I was told to ask you.”

After much thought, I agreed to do as she asked. She gave me directions as to the location where the herring ships would be docked.

You know, I shall never forget the honour this young lady bestowed upon me.

The place where the seiner fleets were docked, was at one of the most luxurious ocean front hotels. The host led me to a huge window, where I could see the herring vessels. They gave me a microphone in which I could speak. I felt a tingling sensation up my spine, and I knew the presence of God was there. The prayer was for the fishermen to have an abundance of herring, and for their safe journey home afterwards. A simple prayer, yet very powerful.

Many of our people here in the Nicola Valley have no idea just how treacherous the open seas can become. The ocean waves can rise as high as a ten story building. The seiners can be like a toy tossed around by the huge waves. Our people here have never been out on the ocean to fish. Most of them have no idea just how huge the ocean is.

I have been so blessed by our Creator, for the honour and privilege to have met these Island native people. I heard their language being spoken, their songs, their dances. I was invited into their Long House, and witnessed their ceremonies. I shall never forget these wonderful people.

My family experienced so much as well. We learned about rock cod fishing, and clam digging. We saw the Island natives prepare a huge public salmon bar-beque, where everyone was invited. They would feed anywhere from five hundred people or more. People who were tourists, and the locals.

Most of all, I never once felt discrimination towards myself or my family. We were made welcome, and we were loved by these people.

I believe in my heart, when our God opens a door, there is no one who can close that door. He made it possible for me to meet many people, who became our family friends. Both native and non-native people.

Psalm 139:16 – “Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days of my life were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.”

I believe my destiny was written by God, even before I was born. In His book He wrote down every day of my life, appointed people that I would meet. How awesome and wonderful that is!

As Always, in Friendship.