MEANS & MEANING First Nations businessman Larry Wilkins, the top donor of the Bridge Campaign to build MANS high school, receives a gift from beadwork artist and MANS alumnae Krista Abt (Class of 2017), who is now a student at Red Deer College.
DID YOU KNOW? Chief Vernon Saddleback, Samson Cree Nation, sent his son to MANS. Watch the chief’s 3-plusminute Grand Opening speech at Vimeo.com/ albertaadventist for an example of how deeply First Nations people value relationships and gratitude.
5.
Kindness is a virtue and gratitude runs deep. Chief Vernon Saddleback demonstrated this when he risked his political career to attend the MANS High School opening. For the chief, bringing official greetings and a personal thanks for what MANS did for his son ranked higher in priority than an important political appearance in Edmonton. The relationship forged as MANS teachers helped the chief raise his son to be a spiritual person is still strong (see #3). As the chief spoke at the opening, I realized that his high regard for what MANS has done for the children of his community is a gift in itself.
These traditional First Nations values are something that we as Adventist Christians can get behind — and maybe learn to practice better.
Lynn McDowell, JD, CSPG
Director of Planned Giving | Philanthropy Alberta Conference (403) 342-5044, ext. 233
MARCH 2019
Alberta Adventist News
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