As I look back over the past fifty years, I can see many changes that God has brought about in people’s lives. I can only mention a few here but there are many people across Canada that I can think of in this respect. 

        Here in our reserve, Raymond Sparklingeyes, the pastor of the Goodfish Lake Evangelical Fellowship, was the guy who slept on the bunk above me in residential school. Neither of us could have guessed at that time what changes God would bring about in our lives. 

        Then I consider the men that make up the board of the Kikino Bible Church. There’s Wes, the one who shoulders much of the responsibility for the ongoing program of the church. A while back he was known as a very good ball player, but at that time he certainly was not known for living a godly life. Anyone who knew him then, and now, can’t help but see how greatly God has changed him. 

        Then there’s Wayne. I remember well the Sunday afternoon that I received a phone call from Kikino that this young man was very troubled and needed to talk to me. A little later when he drove up it was plain to see that he was still under the influence of alcohol or drugs. I wondered if he would be able to grasp any truth in that state. After sharing the Scriptures and praying with him, God brought light to his heart. That day the Lord began to make a difference in his life. 

        There are two more men on the board, Louie and Raymond. Through the years we have seen God working in their lives also. 

        There is a gospel singing group from our church fellowship, the Kikino Gospel Singers. Victoria, Annie, Don and Viann know the Lord and are happy to sing about it. 

        In the Goodfish Lake Evangelical Fellowship, there is also a singing group, the Goodfish Country Gospel Singers. Velma, Patsy, Delia, and Joe, as young people, were all in Bible camps where we taught a number of years ago. 

        In the other Metis settlement, Joe, Hazel, Allan and June, The Buffalo Lake Gospel Singers, have experienced the lifechanging grace of God, and have been spreading the Gospel during the past few years. 

        We are also thankful to the Lord that two of our sons and their wives preach and sing the gospel. 

        As the year 2000 approaches, I thank God for his faithfulness and for the sixty-five years he has given me. Many changes have taken place here on the reserve in the past fifty years. Some of them are changes for the better, others may not be. Some measures have been taken to curb addiction to alcohol and drugs, but gambling seems to be a compelling attraction. Housing has improved and there are now close to 200 units here. 

        There is a modern school with several Native people on staff. 

        There is some employment on the reserve, such as, the Industrial Dry Cleaning Plant that serves garages in the area, and the Ft. McMurray oil extraction plants. As well there is the Goodflsh Garment Factory. These plants employ about thirty people each. 

        Another small factory makes lawn furniture and other things out of cedar wood. 

        Some are involved in a cattle operation owned by the band, and others raise cattle on their own. 

        There are two water treatment plants. The water is hauled by truck to the dwellings which have 1500 to 3200 gallon cisterns. 

        The Health Centre has a staff of ten; eight of them are from the reserve. Other services include counseling service, two reserve constables, and a daycare. 

        Many are heavily involved in a busy sports program, taking their children to practices and games.

        I may be a bit prejudiced, but as I have traveled around and seen many reserves, to me Whitefish Lake Reserve #128 stands out as a place where people work together pretty well, and a community that for the most part is kept neat. 

        I’m grateful for our leadership, which at the time of writing, consists of Chief Allan Houle, councilors Allan Makokis, Carl Bull, Sandy Jackson, Band Administrator Ernest Jackson and others who work at the band office. 

        I thank God for the country we live in. 

        While my name appears a lot in this story, I want to give God the glory and join the psalmist in saying, “Not unto us, 0 LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory” (Psalm 115:1). "May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 115: 15).