July 13th PM

I called Don and Laurie from the parking lot of the casino. They came in to town to meet up and do the interview. While I waited I sat on a leather couch in the casino lobby. I listened to the sounds of Hollywood movie themed slot machines and watched families with grandparents and young couples check in to the hotel. People slouched in the chairs in front of the slot machines staring at the flashing lights.

Don and Laurie walked in. We grabbed dinner together inside the casino. Everyone seemed to know who they were. They stopped to say hello to folks on our way to the resturant. We chatted about the work they both do with Sons and Daughters, a youth program for Native kids in White Earth to become exposed to traditional ways with the goal of getting them to stay out of trouble and off drugs. After dinner we found a quiet place to do the interviews.


Laurie was the first to be interviewed. I adjusted the audio levels and listened while she began to tell me her story about facing the fear of other cultures when she found herself at an all white, high class dinner party. Inside the pauses, the details, the memories I heard Laurie share with me the lessons of walking into other cultures and learning about adaptability.

Next, I joined Don and heard memories of Vietnam, fear, anger and corrosion of the soul. Don carefully walked me through a story of confronting fear, to find people, community, honor and love in White Earth. Don talked about patients and intension and storytelling. Don talked about confronting fear to find community.

Don and Laurie took me to their gift shop down the road and walked me through the many items, stories and memories they have building the shop together with their family.