Paul is a full-blooded Aleut, born in Egegik in 1935. Growing up, he lived in the village of Kanatik during the winter. But in the Springtime his family would walk over the mountain and cross the lake called Becharof to go back to Egegik in order to make ends meet. Like this journey, his early life was filled with difficult challenges… but he was an ambitious young man.

Janet continues her story… sharing about how she was strong-willed but came to realize that she couldn’t do everything on her own. She took some formal training and got a job but didn’t like the work. So, she ended up joining the Marines. Years later she found herself in a relationship and pregnant. Against her boyfriends’ wishes she decided to keep her baby. That choice would ultimately change her life forever.

Janet grew up on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. In her youth, she was an ambitious and self-reliant young girl who was not afraid to make tough choices. That may be because of growing up in a home with alcohol where she came face to face with fear, neglect, and abuse.

It was a News Years Eve Thomas would never forget. He tried to get drunk but he couldn’t. He tried to get high but he couldn’t. He became a spectator though to those who had. And he was ashamed about what happened in the clubhouse that night. It was there that he decided to turn to God.

Thomas grew up angry and bitter because of what life was like for him as a child. He ended up spending time in the Manitoba Youth Centre where he got into a lot of fights. Because he was a good fighter, they encouraged him to get into boxing… which gave his anger an outlet. Thomas eventually ended up joining a gang as an enforcer.

Our stories are important. They are an integral part of family and our culture. Eddie tells the story that his mom told him about a turtle and the lesson embedded in it. Then he shares another story… the most important story anyone will ever hear. Join us for this special Storyteller program.