The Storyteller

Ernie is from Garden Hill, MB an Island Lake community about 300 miles north of Winnipeg. Because of a sickness when he was a little boy, Ernie was unable to do some of the things that other kids could do. Early on he learned that education was very important, but alcohol was ruining his life. One day, he was confronted with a frightening question he couldn't answer... and he couldn't let it go.

Challenging days continue across Native North America and throughout the world. Many are facing difficult challenges... and with these challenges, difficult questions. So where do we turn? Where do we find hope in times like these? Soapy Dollar, Mescalero Apache and host of The Storyteller points us to where he has found it, and where we can too.

These are challenging days across Native North America and throughout the world. For many First Nations and Native American communities, the prospect of contracting Covid-19 is frightening. Underlying health conditions put many Native people at greater risk because of this deadly coronavirus. Tribal leaders are working hard to protect their communities, including closing borders and imposing curfews. The uncertainty of life is very apparent in times like these.....

In this second part of Harriet's story, she shares the struggles of her early years. The family moved around to different reservations because of her father's work, but they only spoke English. No matter where she went, it seemed that she couldn't fit in. Eventually, she would leave home for another strange place. Listen as she tells the story of how she ended up in a boarding school... where she experienced the most significant moment in her life.

Abuse almost pushed Carroll over the edge. "I remember this one night, I said, This is enough of this, and so I loaded up the rifle when we went to the bush the next day, and I just hid behind a tree, and I see my dad coming, I cocked the old rifle, and had it on his head, and I was following him through the bush, and I just wanted to pull the trigger so bad. But I know to this day, I know now, that it was God that kept me from doing it. I would have blown him away, no question."

The loss of their son in a car accident was a heavy blow to Gilbert's family. Questions go unanswered and the pain is hard to bear. Is it possible to find hope and comfort in the midst of such tragedy and grief? Listen as Gilbert talks about these things from a tender heart - as only a parent can - when speaking of a child who has died.

Influenced by the love and concern expressed by Christian friends and church members for his family's welfare in a time of crisis, and Gilbert's wife's return to her studies of the Bible, Gilbert became more and more immersed in the truth of Scripture, and found it to be the source of the peace and life he craved.

Gilbert grew up in a dysfunctional, alcoholic home, and despite his intention not to be like his parents that way, found himself very much a drinker from his late teens until several years into his marriage. A bout of appendicitis brought him into a relationship with a family whose friendship and influence demonstrated God's love, and a serious illness of his son further showed him, through a concerned church, a real demonstration of God's love in action.

Tammy prayed to receive Christ as her Savior when she was fourteen, but without spiritual guidance, she just went on living life as she had learned in her surroundings. She got into trouble and was thinking of ending her life as her father had, in suicide. Turning back to the church, and a pastor who 'pursued her' with the Word of God, she finally found the help she needed to live as an overcomer.

Tammy's childhood was shaped by growing up with an alcoholic father... whom she grew to hate. When she was 12, he committed suicide. Even then, she could not bring herself to mourn for him, but felt only relief. His death bring healing though. Listen as Tammy shares openly about her journey from hatred to forgiveness... and how that could even be possible.