I met Jerry a few years ago, my first impression was that he was a quiet man. Not shy, but confidently quiet. Over the next while, I was to understand this man in a way that few would. I plan to bring that understanding to you on this page. My meetings with Jerry concerned the future of our people. He and I had a low profile relationship that we preferred keeping that way. I was fortunate to hear and read some of his philoshophy, which I will share here. Sadly, now that he is gone, a lot of what he had planned to say, and planned to do will only come about with the help of each CCFN member. Here is an extract of his message to his people that will remain as text because of his passing. I have the original handwritten document in my possesion, and will scan some of it here later.. (My scanner is on the fritz right now..) "Sisters, Brothers of the Chapleau Cree First Nation. I've returned back to Fox Lake. I've organized the Elder's Council. I was elected to be chairman of this Council. I was then elected by the Elders to be an Elder Councilor on the Chapleau Cree Band Council in early December of 2000. "I have listened to many people since I have been here. I have read a lot of correspondence and reviewed minutes going back a couple of years. I see a lot of things that are going on. "Having said that, I see a need to see a change in the way Chief and Council does business at the Band Council level. ... We must (Chief and Council) work together, not as individuals. I would like to be given the opportunity to make this change.I will try and do what is just for the people. "The community has become divided. We are a peaceful people, we respect one another, we have our beliefs. I think it's about time we start forgiving, to become again one happy family of Chapleau Cree people." Jerry's prime concern was that we become a people, solid and joined. And it was that concern that made him of interest to me. We had a similar vision. Gerry had composed a prayer for us, a version I present here. (I also have this in his handwriting, which I will post here soon.) "Creator, give us the strength to start a healing process so that once again we can live as peaceful people. Instead of this community being divided, let us unite to be a community of happy people. I do ask you, Creator, to watch over us during the healing process. Meegwetch!" It's a simple prayer, to the point. It is something that all of us want, but for some reason, we cannot make it happen. We talked a lot about this seemingly insurmountable problem. And we discovered that it is not so insurmountable. More to come... Lark