The work of Christian Horizons in remote First Nations communities of Ontario is in its beginning stages. The 2006 summer camp program at Big Trout Lake was a groundbreaking endeavor. The success of the program has confirmed the need to maintain a presence in the area and plans for a 2007 camp are being worked out.

To give you a more personal look at what the recent camp program in Big Trout Lake looked like, we have included the following report from Catherine Raby – Systems Manager from Central East District who participated in the camp program.

August 4, 2006 – The Day Four First Nation Boys Came To Camp
Submitted by Catherine Raby

The Campers of Big Trout Lake

Activities ranged from swimming, picnic on the beach, a campfire, scavenger hunt, crafts, Bingo games, water balloon fights, a trip to town for lunch at the only restaurant in the fly-in community of 1,800 and daily chapel time. Of course, the chores had to be done as well, making the beds, setting the table and washing up.

The Campers of Big Trout Lake The idea to serve the First Nation community started in the spring of 2005 when two Christian Horizons staff met with leaders in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout to explore the issues with the ultimate goal of creating a centre of excellence as the foundation for providing service to individuals with a developmental disability in the Far North.

“There is nowhere in our communities that we can say we have what we need. For anyone wanting to help us they have to realize they are walking into a desert,” said Dobi-Dawn Fenette, Education Advisor, Mattawa First Nation.

In the “desert” of the Far North, families must send a child with developmental disabilities to the only group home in Kenora. At 18 the child is returned home where there are no support services north of Sioux Lookout.

Outdoor fun!

The results of a recent study of 1,800 children in Grades 1, 3, 5 and 7 by a Thunder Bay psychologist indicated:

• 23 per cent had Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder, affecting short-term memory, hearing, impulse control and intelligence. (Three of the four boys we served at camp were diagnosed with FASD.)
• 53 per cent had a hearing or vision problem
• 54 per cent said they did not have enough to eat
• 85 percent of the children were at least two grade levels behind thus classifying them as special needs

While the task may seem daunting, Christian Horizons has taken its first small step in sharing Christ’s love with people of the First Nation.

For the future, Christian Horizons is exploring the expansion of the First Nation camp program and investing in services such as awareness and training programs, skill building and rehabilitation programs.

Christian Horizons is working in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Russia, Ecuador and with people from the First Nations community in Canada. Please pray for Christian Horizons Global Projects