Albert Dumont

“Never feel alone, because you are not.” Photo: ©juliecomber.com

Although my life was/is one of much suffering, I never, even one time, suspected that my pain was brought to me as the result of an enemy (I do have them) casting an evil spell on me or that at the darkest moment of a witching hour the enemy had cursed me to forever live in pain. Spells and curses are things I leave to people who believe in them.

The fact that my back was broken and vertebrae fused almost 23 years ago in a construction accident ascertains the chronic pain I feel 24-7 will be with me until my dying day. But because I’m walking, swimming, jumping, skipping and so much more, I do not cry, I remind myself often that at St. Vincent’s Hospital there are people, some older and some younger than myself who were not as fortunate as I was when bad luck came a-calling and who live there now in need of round-the-clock care. I offer prayers of encouragement for them and prayers of thanksgiving that my accident did not remove me from my place in my family circle.

“Pain”, what an ugly four-letter word. It saddens me when I meet people who cannot cope with it. Their experiences of life did not equip them to suffer with dignity. It can be done, you know. I have a friend, Barbara, who lives in the New Liskeard Hospital. Barbara has been living at the hospital for 4 or 5 years now. Her body has been ravaged by diabetes. She needs to be connected to a dialysis machine 3 times a week. She has undergone amputations. Pain never allows her proper rest. Yet, I have never heard Barbara complain about her lot in life.

Barbara is ready to give counsel. She searches her heart and finds encouraging words to give hope to others who are suffering not even half as much as she is. She is jolly, and that special wit and humour of the Anishinabe Kwe is intact in her mind and is resonating in her spirit. Barbara is precious. Drop her a card, she’d be happy to hear from you. I know I will never be anywhere near as strong as she is.

If you are in pain, please know that you are not alone in your suffering. Many people care about you. Folks you have never even met, but yet, because they know you exist, offer prayers and sing encouragement songs for you and all peoples and things who are in pain. Offer your pain to Kichi Manido (God) so it will be as a medicine for a troubled youngster who is contemplating suicide somewhere in Canada. The youngster will find the strength to carry on because of your offering. At the very least, you will feel that your suffering is not in vain. Our way as Indigenous Peoples is to stand next to one who suffers, spiritually, and pray for peace and healing for them. Never feel alone, because you are not.

Keep the Circle Strong,
Albert “South Wind” Dumont

Copyright Albert Dumont. All rights reserved. Nothing may be copied without the written permission of the author.

A spiritual cleansing must first occur before the physical can get involved into something of healing. And so I say to all who I have harmed in any way that I am deeply and profoundly sorry. And I make no excuses for the wrongs I have done. Kichi Manido gave me the ability to make my own choices, trusting that I would do what was right. Yet, this was not always the case. I never set out to hurt anybody nor anything else alive on this beautiful planet we call Mother Earth.

But pain was felt. I know because I felt it too. My conscience will never allow me to forget. My spirit, for the remainder of my living days will twist and coil like a tormented snake each and every time you visit my mind or enter into my dreams.

I will prove my remorse by dedicating future good deeds in your name so you will benefit from them. I am sorry too, for any harm or senseless death I brought to birds in the field, and to the fish whose glitter I foolishly removed from the lakes and rivers of my homeland, the four-legged killed only for sport, and for taking life away from spiders and bees for doing only what is natural to them.

I want to breathe at last the wind my ancestors felt in their lungs before technology came to Turtle Island. A wind which roamed the land before sins such as the ones I committed even existed. How refreshed and pure I would feel in mind, body and spirit.

Sometimes I wish that we, the human beings, had shells spiritually covering us. Shells which would protect us from the emotional damage we cause to ourselves and to each other. But we do not have such shells and this is why I feel the need to say I am sorry to all who have been hurt by my actions.

It is my hope that the words written in this new blog on my website by me, “South Wind”, will always be received in a good way by all who take the time to read it. Please trust that I will always be honest with you. May the healing songs of our Anishinabe ancestors enter your hearts and bring peace and serenity into your spirits.

Keep the Circle Strong,
Albert “South Wind” Dumont

Albert Dumont, a Traditional Teacher, was born and raised on unceded Algonquin territory (Kitigan Zibi). He is a poet and has published 4 books of poetry and short stories and 1 children’s book written in 3 languages. Several organizations, both native and non-native, currently feature his poetry, such as the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health and the Native Veterans Association.

Albert has dedicated his life to promoting Aboriginal spirituality and healing and to protecting the rights of Aboriginal peoples, particularly Youth.

Albert has several books available, which make lovely and thoughtful gifts! He also has greeting cards for sale.