otsinekwar

That sounds like an amazing, thoughtful gathering to be in. For some reason I feel really happy just picturing the sight of people from all three Abrahamic faiths just eating food and talking together, as opposed to what we see and hear today...

Hi, thanks for doing this AMA! I live in South-East Asia. I went to live in an Iroquois rez in Ontario about a month ago and I was really amazed how well the people who live there are taken care of. Well, it's not perfect and there're still problems, but I haven't encountered any bad things or people. You should visit someday.

I'm intending to major in Sociology next year — any idea how this major can help the social issue-related cases on the rez? The folks on the rez whom I stayed with treat me like family and I grew to have a heart for the people there. I help out with the language school when I'm there, but perhaps next time I can do something that's related to social work, but I'm not sure what I can do. Sorry if this sounds clueless — I am clueless. Would appreciate any form of advice or help.

edit: a word

Thanks for the reply. If only we knew more ways to make the reservations better. Well I'm pretty sure the reservation my Mohawk family lives in has alcohol problems too, they talk about it quite frequently. Although, yes, on the surface it looks really nice and well-taken care of. Even the building where the language school is located at has a salad bar which most people in the building go to. Healthy eating!

During my time there I met many women with children, but without the fathers of their children. There's this guy who joked in a sad way, "Family Day - the next most confusing day for kids after Father's Day". It was quite depressing to hear. I can imagine that many kids could end up in a place that's not home. So then, would social workers and counsellors be in demand to administer help to kids who are displaced?

Am I right to say that reservations would prefer their own people to help their own people? I've been studying their language, and would possibly love to extend help in some way or other with my abilities when I study, but I know that they'd always prefer their own people (no matter how much of an "onkwehonwe" - native person - they made out of me during my time there :)

Again, thanks for doing this AMA.

Hello there, thanks for doing this AMA. q1) Has the experience steered you in a direction where you want to do something about your life and others that constitutes a breakthrough? For example, helping to rehabilitate young people when you have gone far enough in life.

q2) I really really wish you all the best in life (college, work, finding a new home etc). I read that you've said that you've moved a lot (so you probably made few lasting friendships), if you don't mind, do you want to be my email/pen pal? I live on an island in South East Asia.