Certain life experiences were necessary to write my TDG book and novels. "Circles of a Future Politician" required a different experience than my other works.
From 1996 to 2000, I was doing some missionary work on the Eden Valley Reserve, southwest of Calgary, Alberta. As far as my mission went, there were no tangible results for my efforts. Rather it was I who was being transformed.
I recall long conversations with Darryl Lefthand and Albert Dixon where I heard a different perspective of how the world should work and how all the parts fit together. They said things that I could not grasp yet seemed so right. Other Eden Valley people—Johnny Lefthand, Nancy Lefthand, Wattie Dixon, Gay Rider and somewhose names I cannot recall—also contributed to my development. My most memorable event was helping to build a natural healing lodge for an ailing elder.
Life moved me away from the mission, and I have not had much to do with First Nations since.
But my Eden Valley experiences are still part of me. I could not have written this book without Eden Valley.
If I have depicted the First Nations/Native American culture somewhat reasonably, give credit to the Stoney/Nakoda people of Eden Valley.
If not, I apologize. I hope you still agree that "Circles" helps explain why we need to move away from western democracy. And how we can move away.
And thanks to Jean Hedley of High River, Alberta for laying out the groundwork for me to take part of this culture.
