National Adult Literacy Database

May 31, 1999

Today, we are launching 5 stories from Samaritan House Training Centre in Brandon, Manitoba and as a special event you can read their stories as well as hear an audio version. The goal of the Centre is to help our students learn, and to improve their chances of finding meaningful employment through improvement in their academic, technical, communication, and workplace skills.

Lindsay Henry was born and raised in Erickson, Manitoba, where there is a blend of Swedes, Natives, Ukrainians, and Polish people with the logo Erickson. He lived in Brandon, Manitoba from 1976 to 1995, at which time he moved to Winnipeg. He spends his time between the two cities furthering his education and computer training. Lindsay plans to work in the restaurant and hospitality field and live in the traditional way at the same time. The four directions work, my friends!

Play an audio version of this story

A Very Pitiful Man

by Lindsay Henry

My name is Lindsay Henry A.K.A Evening Boy, and I'm from the Wolf Clan. How I got here to be in Samaritan House Training Centre shows my path of my life. I was born in Erickson, MB in 1960 and I was introduced to the Traditional way of life at an early age by my parents. I left home to work in Brandon, MB when I was 16 and met my first love Norma Dujay who is the mother of my baby girl! After our relationship terminated in 1978, my life was in a downfall. In 1995, I entered Stoney Mountain Penitentiary at which time I reached a turning point.

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf

by Lindsay Henry

I knew that I was incarcerated for a reason and I know now that the Creator had his reasons for my being in there.

I got involved with {NBO} Native Brotherhood Organization when I was placed in population after 3 months of assessment. I was told that it was not a good idea to get into NBO due to the militant spirit, according to my case worker. I went to my first meeting and I knew it was where I belonged.

It turned out to be what I needed in my life, which was a sober, traditional way of living. I learned about who Lindsay was and why I felt a void, an emptiness all those wasted years. I had turned my back on the Creator all those years and I knew I had to be taught in a good way in order to stay sober and in control of my destiny as best as I can. This was where I learned to do sweats, Vision Quests, Teachings in the four directions which are explained in the next page.

Strength -- Kindness -- Honesty -- Share/Care

Rock -- Sweetgrass -- Tree -- Animals

I got used to talking in front of a group of people in our talking Circle where every person had a chance to have his say. We used an Eagle Feather instead of a stone or stick to show we talked in honesty from the heart. I also was chosen to be a Committee member as Sgt-at-arms for NBO within 5 months. I guess I earned respect from my brothers.

This was when I got initiated into the Wolf Clan and I received my 5 colors while I was in a sweatlodge. I also started to sing with a drum group Circle Strong Singers while there. When I got out in Oct,1996 I had parole to content myself with, and I joined a drum group Red Wind Singers from Winnipeg, MB where I stayed until June,1998. I came back to Brandon to look after my mom who was sick and I left everything behind in Winnipeg! All I had on me was what I was wearing and my I.D.'s . I am here now in Samaritan House Training Centre refreshing my education and hopefully get my grade 12. My mom is with the Creator now and I am so proud of her for that! I have goals which I will reach because I am a Winner and Mama didn't raise no fool! Someday I'll go home to the Creator. Until then….

* Many Meegwetches

* * Lindsay Henry *