As evening rain fell with a cold May wind, we gathered our belongings, stepped off the bus, and exchanged warm hugs and sad goodbyes. Though our journey together has come to an end, the connections we formed through this shared experience will surely remain.
The day began with final presentations. As each student spoke, weaving personal reflections into all we had learned over the past three weeks, I was deeply moved by the insight and depth that emerged. Through posters and thoughtfully crafted descriptions, it became clear: while we set out to better understand our Indigenous neighbors, we also discovered much about ourselves.
Our gracious Indigenous hosts shared their stories, blending history, present-day life, and hope for the future in ways that exemplify a strength not just to survive, but to thrive. The inspiration we drew from their words is beyond measure and the application to our own lives will follow us well into the future. We are thankful for their hospitality and willingness to share so freely.
We are also thankful for the staff at Camp Friedenswald and Merry Lea and for other presenters who enriched this experience by sharing their expertise with us.
Much like the rivers we studied and the trails we hiked, our own journey was full of twists, turns, and challenges. But we faced them together—with open minds and willing hearts—making the most of every step through singing (so much singing), sharing, crying, thinking, asking, connecting, and caring.
Anna and I couldn’t have asked for a better group to share this journey.
