Last week’s Ponderings – the conclusion of a Young Boy’s mission – lifetime of service, was pre-empted by Mother Nature and the saga of Pat’s Creek.
When we left Part 3 of Rolland and Thelma Smith and their calling to establish a Lubicon Mission School, we were introduced to the typical daily routine students and teachers followed. All the while, the school’s routine was followed, Rolland ministered to, not only the people of Lubicon Lake, but also to those in other similar northern Alberta communities, as well as making certain there were sufficient supplies for the functioning of the school and residence.
In addition to visiting the communities in person, Rolland also had a radio show, Circuit Rider (travelling pastor – missionary), on CKYL, which began in 1956. “For the lonely prospector or trapper, radio is his only contact with other human beings,” writes Rolland. “It is surprising the number of Indians and Eskimo who have radios with them on their hunting trips. “Here is a vast audience waiting to hear what we have to say. There is an estimated 100,000 potential listeners to CKYL… literally thousands listening to CKYL on Friday afternoon at 3:45, when the strains of the ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’ introduces the Circuit Rider broadcast.” Since its beginning, Circuit Rider won a place of distinction, “while retaining a vital message of Salvation.” A telephone poll, conducted by the station, indicated the program was popular, unusual for a religious broadcast, Rolland says.
“More contacts can be made in one broadcast than could be made in two months of continuous bush travel.” Although, this communications opportunity was efficient, it did not take the place of in-person visits “to the cabins and teepees”. Low staff numbers, including at the Mission School, however, would not allow in-person information sharing. Initially, the program was free to the Mission, but soon a nominal cost was necessary, thus increased need for fundraising.
Today, blacktop leads to the area northeast of Peace River, where once it was dirt and in the spring and with the rain – mud, making travel slow and arduous – sometimes by horse and wagon, later by truck. Where today, it takes probably an hour to travel the 80 miles, in the 1950s, it took days or the better part thereof. There were times, few and far between and usually in emergencies, in which a float plane was used, but the cost was prohibitive for regular use.
Travel was a large part of Rolland’s Mission life. Joseph Cardinal was a 10-year-old student at the Mission School during its first year in 1953. In a February 2009 interview, he says he has fond memories of the school, but hazy memories of Rev. Rolland Smith because he was in Peace River and the Mission office, or in transit delivering supplies to the school.
Back to the Mission School and its early history. In June of 1956, 11 missionaries, men and women, on summer vacation from the Smith’s alma mater, Cleveland Bible College (Malone College). It was a rainy Peace River that greeted them on their mud-slogging way into the bush to bolster the staff of Northland Indian Mission and the Mission School.
Many paid their own way for the privilege, some with the intention of making such a life theirs. According to the Record-Gazette, the missionaries, ages 19 to 24, represented a variety of creeds – Pentecostal, Evangelical, United Brethren, Primitive Methodist, Nazarene, and Christian Missionary Alliance, as well as non-denominational and Society of Friends (Quaker). They came from various American States to remain until August, after which many of them would return to college. One of them, George Dunn, having survived seven tense days lost in the bush, stayed on and later moved with his wife to High Prairie.
A third son, Samuel, was born to the Smiths in 1956, a brother for Rolland Thomas and Daniel Francis. The same year, the L’Hirondelle Post Office, named for pioneer trader, trapper and farmer, Josie L’Hirondelle, who had lived in the area for more than 40 years, was opened. You might recall that Raymond L’Hirondelle, Josie’s son, was the one who persuaded Rolland and Thelma to establish a Mission school at Lubicon Lake. Rolland was the acting postmaster – he hauled the mail from Peace River on the second and fourth Thursday of each month for a fee, which went into Mission coffers.
The Smiths continued their mission at the school until poor health in 1957, precipitated by the stress of the calling, dictated their leaving the school on furlough to return to Ohio. Rolland, however, continued as pastor at various Ohio churches until his retirement in 1976. They returned to Peace River and the school in 1959, 1968, and 1978, as well as 1988, to attend the first Grade 12 graduation at the school.
The one thing that didn’t change was the “warm welcome”.
Prior to their leaving in 1957, the Record-Gazette reported parental appreciation for the Smiths and the school staff for the operation of the Mission School to better the living of the children in the district. “This is the first time we have had any real indication that the school is appreciated,” Rolland told the reporter. “Formerly, we acted on the assumption the youngsters would not be left in our care unless parents approved, but this year we feel real progress has been made.” Apparently so.
Though no longer at the Mission, the Smiths continued to lobby the provincial government to support the school. As we have seen, the Northland School Division was formed in 1960 to do just that. At that time, it comprised more than 30 school districts and 20 schools, including the Lubicon Lake Mission School, now Little Buffalo School. On Jan. 21, 2010, the minister of education appointed an official trustee, while the local school board committees remained as advisory boards.
Thelma died Dec. 8, 2001, at age 81. Rolland died seven years later – Nov. 17, 2008. He was 91.