By Kisi Apaak
Sierra Service Project has been an integral part of my summer break for three years running. My first two experiences in Chiloquin, Oregon and Smith River, California were utterly life-changing, effectively opening the door for my spiritual journey and opening my eyes to a side of myself I had yet to explore. Sierra Service Project laid the foundation for me to grow into my faith and understand myself in deeply sincere ways.
There is something different to be said about my summer of service with SSP last year in Tsaile, Arizona, however. Tsaile was hands-down my most spiritually impactful SSP. Not only did I learn more about myself than I ever have, I also learned a tremendous amount about the community I served in. I was blessed to gain a unique perspective about the Native American experience in this country and what it means to be Native American, including the struggles and triumphs in their history.
It was particularly informative to hear from community members, such as Silver Nez Perry, who talked to the youth volunteers about Navajo family dynamics, roles, and morals. His sharing shed light on a culture that feels grossly unrepresented in today’s society. We also had the privilege of listening to local government representatives speak on the issue of bringing justice to the numerous Navajo men, women, and children previously and presently affected by uranium mining on the reservation. These were topics I was astonished to realize I have little to no knowledge on, despite the urgent and valid concerns they raise.
His family members and close friends were some of the most caring and compassionate people I have ever had the liberty of meeting.
The community member I interacted with most was David, the homeowner of the site my group was working on. David was partially blind and suffering from the early stages of dementia, but talking with him and meeting his family and friends was a profound experience. His family members and close friends were some of the most caring and compassionate people I have ever had the liberty of meeting. They were all so invested in David’s well-being, and open to talking with the youth volunteers about their and David’s lives in a way that gave us an exclusive view into how this network of people functioned and looked after one another.
A few highlights that catch my attention when I think back to that worksite experience was helping David put away his groceries, speaking with David’s brothers and sisters about their family, and meeting other community members that approached our work site to see the great work we were doing.
It was life-changing to be able to see God in my work and in the people around me.
Something I still carry with me to this day is an anklet I bought from Mary, a local Navajo woman who came every day during free time to sell her jewelry. Although I did not become close with her, I know she had a deep relationship with the staff and was an amazing, valued part of our connection to the Navajo community in Tsaile.
I’m not usually one to put an excessive value on material objects, but the anklet I bought from Mary (that I have yet to remove since first putting it on), is something I put immense spiritual and emotional value in. To me, it represents my spirituality, connection to the Navajo people, connection to my fellow youth in Tsaile, and my journey in life thus far.
My spiritual experiences during the duration of my service in Tsaile are incomparable to any of my previous experiences, for a number of reasons. I see my faith as fluid; constantly evolving and taking on new forms. Nonetheless, there have been multiple times in my life where I have lost sight of my beliefs, been very insecure in them, or questioned if I even believed in anything at all. On the Navajo reservation I saw not only my faith being put into action, but the rest of the youth’s faiths as well. It was life-changing to be able to see God in my work and in the people around me.
Throughout my years of volunteering, it has shaped me, helped me become more open-minded, develop leadership skills, and be more in tune with God and the people around me.
We were all at different stages in our spiritual journey, but the ability to come together through love, compassion, and service was amplified specifically in my week at Tsaile. In turn, I became more confident in my faith, and was able to better bridge the gap between the community I was a part of at SSP and the communities I am a part of at home. I felt truly empowered in my ability to recreate this loving network of people, and make a difference as a youth.
Simply put, my journey with SSP, through service and spiritually, has been phenomenal. Throughout my years of volunteering, it has shaped me, helped me become more open-minded, develop leadership skills, and be more in tune with God and the people around me. I am forever indebted to the men, women, and youth who have made Sierra Service Project possible for over 40 years; hopefully together we can help the project grow and flourish for years to come.
Editor’s Note: Kisi Apaak is a sophomore at Point Loma High School in San Diego, CA and attends SSP as an individual youth volunteer. She has been elected this year to serve as a youth representative on SSP’s Board of Directors. This article is featured in SSP’s 2017 Annual Newsletter; read all seven stories written by youth volunteers, summer staff, and community members. Request a hard copy newsletter to be mailed to you.