With that rather startling beginning, one of the loveliest and most gracious men I have ever met walked across the packed dirt floor to the microphone.

But before I go further with that story, a little background. One of the most effective leaders in our school district is District Principal Perry Smith (pictured). He is in charge of the Mamele’awt Community Aboriginal Centre, which is home to our Aboriginal Education Program.  The wonderful team that Perry has developed is dedicated to providing support for Aboriginal students from kindergarten to grade 12.

Perry made special arrangements with the Sumas First Nation to hold what is called an honouring ceremony. It took place in the Sumas Nation's longhouse on Sumas Mtn. Rd. Space does not permit a description of this marvelous event, but it is considered the highest honour in Sto:lo culture. Its purpose is to claim someone and recognize them for the work that they have done, the contribution they have made, and their great worth in the community. In this case, teachers from all over our district were honoured.

A number of aboriginal speakers participated, congratulating the school district for the great academic improvements that had been achieved for aboriginal students in the last decade. We enjoyed the drumming and dancing of both aboriginal children and adults. The actual honouring ceremony itself was both very educational, given that the Sto:lo have been living in the Fraser Valley for more than 9000 years, and quite inspirational.

But nothing compared to the address given by Sumas elder Ray Silver Sr. He strutted across the floor to the microphone as fast as his cane and compromised eyesight permitted, which was actually pretty quick. He won our hearts immediately with his opening line, reproduced in the title of this post. He went on to talk about his early years in school, which like that of most aboriginals in the 1940s, was horrific. Among other things, his brother died while in the residential school to which they were sent in Port Alberni. (For a full account of this time, see www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_valley/abbynews/community/125225789.html.)

Ray somehow got out of school at a very young age. He talked about growing up illiterate, ashamed of both this and his aboriginal heritage. He was not allowed to learn his own language or live according to his own culture. He finally taught himself to read and write as an adult. He was too embarrassed to ask girls out. But he worked hard, finally married, and fathered some wonderful children, including Ray Silver Jr., a noted carver whose works adorn several of our schools.

But at the end of his speech, without a hint of bitterness or reproach, Mr. Silver acknowledged that things were changing for the better, at least in our school district, and thanked us for our part it, invoking the Great Spirit to bless us. I have never felt so humble, so grateful, and so moved.

It takes many people to make an educational program great. But I want to especially thank Perry Smith, whose hard and creative work has reaped rich rewards for aboriginal kids, and a blessing on us from Ray Silver.

May the Great Spirit bless you both.