Learning Everyday: A Powerful Father-Son Story of Reconciliation and Prayer Through Dance

Johan Heinrichs [: 00:00:00

This is Journey with Care. Today, we have a very special episode in store for you as we celebrate indigenous culture and acknowledge the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation. Joining our host Wendy in this conversation are 2 incredible guests, Rain Pascua, a young indigenous dancer, and his proud father, Kevin Harris. Prepare to be immersed in their inspiring story as as we explore the profound significance of Rain's art, their thoughts on truth and reconciliation, and the transformative power of dance. We'll dive into the importance of understanding and embracing the truth as we strive for healing and unity in our country. Get ready to be moved, inspired, and uplifted as we celebrate indigenous culture and commemorate the National Day truth and reconciliation. Let's get curious, and let's start the

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:00:56

conversation.

Wendi Park [: 00:00:58

Welcome to the podcast. I am so delighted to have 2 very special guests with me here today, Rain Pascua and Kevin Harris. Welcome to the podcast.

Kevin Harris [: 00:01:09

That's great to be here. It's a new experience for both of us.

Wendi Park [: 00:01:13

Yep. Rain, this is a very special location actually, On location in Oklahoma. This isn't normally the place we meet. We usually meet somewhere in Canada, either in Saskatchewan or Manitoba where You do a lot of dancing. What brings you here to Oklahoma?

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:01:29

Oh, I came to dance and saw my dancing At a big conference down here in, Oklahoma City. It's called CAFO.

Wendi Park [: 00:01:39

Yeah. And I watched you dance a Dorm. My goodness. Oklahoma hasn't seen quite a show like that. For sure, not in CAFO. You really danced your heart out, and I loved it. Yep. What was it like to be dancing there?

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:01:53

I felt good to dance again and show the people here that I've never seen it before.

Wendi Park [: 00:01:58

Yeah. And when we're talking about dancing, we're not talking hip hop or salsa or merengue. What kind of dance are we talking about?

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:02:07

Pow dancing. I dance, men's fancy

Wendi Park [: 00:02:10

feather dance. And, Kevin, you are Rain's father. Tell me about this trip coming down here and what it's like to watch your son dance into in Oklahoma.

Kevin Harris [: 00:02:21

Well, yeah, the trip was first, Rain has been on an airplane before, so it was his first time on a plane and he did amazingly well sitting for 4 hours. And Anybody knows Rain. He doesn't sit still very long. And so for him to manage 4 hours in a plane seat, next to the window was, amazing. So to see that 1st time in the US for him and Oklahoma because the origin of his fancy Feather that he mentioned, actually comes out of Oklahoma. So it was really, for me, it was like pretty cool to see him Do what he has a passion for in the place where the origins of his dance comes from.

Wendi Park [: 00:03:05

So tell me a little bit about yourself, Rain. How if people wanted to get to know you, who would you say Rain is?

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:03:12

Pretty much to say,

Wendi Park [: 00:03:14

Amazing guy.

Kevin Harris [: 00:03:15

Amazing. Yeah. He's amazing guy. He's very humble. There's no doubt about it. He doesn't like to talk about him himself much, which is Very culturally appropriate being a young indigenous man.

Wendi Park [: 00:03:26

May I change the question then? I would like you to introduce each other. Would that be appropriate?

Kevin Harris [: 00:03:33

Sure. So Rainn Pasqua, he's a 17 year old young man who comes from Pasqua First Nation, which is in Treaty 4 territory in And he's been dancing. He has had the passion for many years, but 11 years old is kind of when he first Was gifted as regalia, and, fancy dance was the thing that sparked him, and so that's where it started.

Wendi Park [: 00:04:00

That's beautiful. And I remember when you started dancing, we've had you dance a few times at Care Impact events, and It's really had a profound impact not only for the art artistry of what you bring. You're a good dancer, but also the The spirit of reconciliation that that brings to break some new ground and to honor your own culture and that inviting other people to celebrate with you. So now you've had a little bit of time. How would you introduce your dad? What's it gonna look like?

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:04:30

This is, Kevin Harris. He is my dad, and He's the best dad anyone can ask for. Takes me everywhere to powwows. He's, That's special. He's just that special.

Kevin Harris [: 00:04:43

Oh. That's a that's special coming from from a young man like him. He's a he's like I said, he's an amazing young guy. And, Yeah. We do. We get to hit the powwow trail. We know what powwow fatigue looks like this year. Don't we,

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:04:55

Summer? Yep.

Kevin Harris [: 00:04:57

And my wife, Laura Lee, comes along. We're a powwow mom and dad for some other boys that that hang out with Rain at Powwow, and it's just an honor to be part of that. And, yeah, it's a great way to spend the summer. That's for sure.

Wendi Park [: 00:05:09

This weekend, we are honoring the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation. And I'm curious and I think there's many listeners that are curious on what the Significance is of this day. Why are we spending this day to reflect on truth and reconciliation? So to begin with, I'm just curious from both of your perspectives, What does the significance mean to you?

Kevin Harris [: 00:05:31

So maybe I'll start and Rain can fill in. For me, and I think us as a family, It's important because the truth is still not well known and understood in the predominant culture of our country. Rain is going to be involved in part of that through he's actually gonna be he's got 4 schools, that he's gonna be going to to interact with kids and dance for them. And it's really cool to see because a lot of the young Boys and gals too really get very attached to him and and wanna copy and wanna dance with him. And and he does great because he'll, You know, after he's done a couple of songs, he'll interact with the kids and give them his sticks and they'll dance with him, and and and it's really neat to see that take place. And so to me, that's what's truth and reconciliation is about. So understanding the truth and seeing the beauty of what he does is certainly Part of healing that our country certainly needs to have. But I think the other part of that is, you know, reconciliation requires efforts, on 2 parts because that seemed to imply that there's there's a problem in relationships.

Kevin Harris [: 00:06:46

And my personal view and how we look at it is That reconciliation starts with me. From the predominant culture being a, a settler in this in this country, It's incumbent upon me to start that reconciliation discussion. Mhmm. And so supporting Rain and his efforts to connect culture and his understanding of his traditions to the rest of the world. I mean, he he does he does TRC every time he dances.

Wendi Park [: 00:07:17

Absolutely.

Kevin Harris [: 00:07:17

You know? And and he lives it. That's what blesses us on a regular basis.

Wendi Park [: 00:07:22

It's like a picture's worth a: 1000

Wendi Park [: 00:07:53

What goes through your mind while you are dancing? What goes through your heart? What are you feeling in those moments?

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:08:00

When I'm dancing, I just I feel

Wendi Park [: 00:08:03

powerful.

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:08:05

There's not that much that goes to my mind. I just feel like I just feel good, and I feel powerful when I'm dancing.

Wendi Park [: 00:08:12

And correct me if I'm wrong, but you look very attuned to the the rhythm, The beat of the drum, and you you were, like, not lost in it. You're so attuned. You're you're, like, part of that music. How do how do you do that?

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:08:28

I don't know. It's just, It's part

Kevin Harris [: 00:08:31

of who he is. Yeah. And you're right. He's described it in the past, You know, as, you know, when mom and I talked to him about his dance and how he's feeling and and those kind of things, you nailed it. He's very attuned to the music. I would even add and Ray can can add or correct me if I'm just not saying it right, but I almost see it as a an uplifting of himself. It becomes a very and not to scare anybody, but it becomes a spiritual endeavor. Yeah.

Kevin Harris [: 00:09:02

He's talked about The experience, how he feels. He almost feels the creator giving him wings, almost, giving him that That passion, and you see it in his face. Yeah. You see it in his eyes, how he transcends into that, because it's it's a worship, if you wanna put it that way. It's a it's his way of worship, worshiping the creator and celebrating, who he is and where he comes from.

Wendi Park [: 00:09:33

And when I watch you dance to the rhythm of that drum, It's worshipful for me too. You bring me into worship. That beat of the drum, I again, this isn't something that isn't my tradition. I don't claim that. But when I'm praying for reconciliation across Canada and for the church to rise up and to To be part of that reconciliation, actually, in my dreams, sometimes, The spiritual dreams that I have and also when I'm praying. I hear that drum. I've asked other people, is that something that is normal, but I Hear a drum. And so when you are dancing, it resonates at a soul level to me.

Wendi Park [: 00:10:14

I don't know if I've ever shared that with anybody. For sure not on the podcast, but you have led me into worship, and I'm so grateful for that gift. You could have held it to yourself. Right? I imagine it takes guts to stand up in hundreds and thousands of people. You do it all the time. It takes guts to do that, But you do it anyway, and I'm so proud

Kevin Harris [: 00:10:36

of you. So on that note, I would add to part of the the reconciliation The I see still missing is the recognition of what you just said. The drumbeat is the is the heartbeat of of the creation. It's a heartbeat of of god's creation, of the creator's creation. And his form of worship Needs to be recognized and acknowledged within the church community. There's still there's still reconciliation that needs to take place in that. And and when I when I sit in church and I and I worship and at Quifa, we're gonna hear some awesome worship. When I'm Listening to that, when I'm participating in that level of worship, in my mind's eye, I always see Raindancing.

Kevin Harris [: 00:11:23

In my mind's eye, I see him elevated into that thinking. And my hope and prayer that Someday, that will happen where there will be worship songs where he can participate in being part of. Yeah. Because I think then then there's reconciliation taking place. When that happens, then I see that.

Wendi Park [: 00:11:49

I concur with that. I see you leading others like you led me on several occasions, leading others into true worship. Now the reality is, the unfortunate the uncomfortable reality is Right now in North America, when there's indigenous dance and representation of culture, even though it brings honor to creator God, There is a fear. There is apprehension. There's skepticism. How do we go through that? How do we get Through those fears and those biases and those things that that the church often wrestles with, so that it doesn't become just Tokenism. It doesn't just become a cultural show that that diminishes the value and the sacredness of a dance like that To a cultural representation. There's something more.

Wendi Park [: 00:12:42

How do we go through there? Do you do you have any ideas, Kevin, or or Rain, On how we can help the church through their heebie jeebies,

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:12:52

so to speak.

Kevin Harris [: 00:12:53

Yeah. It's a difficult conversation. A friend of mine, chief Cadmus deworm, He said there's no reconciliation unless there's a uncomfortable conversation. And I think that's where we need to start. And who it's uncomfortable for is for for my culture, my people, my, you know, the the Europeans, the the settlers of the world. That's who's uncomfortable. And that's where we need to start, I believe in having and I've had lots of uncomfortable conversations with myself and and And with other indigenous leaders when I have to acknowledge where I'm coming from, right, as as a settler in this great land. But, once you start that conversation, what I found is that the indigenous view of the world and a way of life Is so inclusive and so welcoming.

Kevin Harris [: 00:13:43

You know, we as the settler society, we are the ones who want to start that conversation. It will be welcome. I have never been in a situation where I have not felt welcome in the indigenous culture or the indigenous celebrations. Never ever felt uncomfortable.

Wendi Park [: 00:13:57

So we need to get comfortable with discomfort. Yep. And also another important thing that you just mentioned here is that National Day For Truth and Reconciliation isn't about indigenous people doing the work. Because We are the ones as settlers. We need to enter into those discomforting conversations. We need to challenge ourselves. We need to pursue reconciliation As people settled on this land. I know for myself, I wasn't born innately, like, Reconciled with people.

Wendi Park [: 00:14:31

I was part of the system of oppression. I was born into power, and I've had to have those conversations with myself and A lot of loving, embracing indigenous people who have who have influenced me to understand. What was it like for you? Obviously, we're still in that continuous journey, but what have those moments looked like for you that had brought you to where you are?

Kevin Harris [: 00:14:57

There's probably been a a number of those uncomfortable places to start with, but they didn't last long. I mean, I grew up, You know, without going into a lot of detail on my life, but I grew up in the far north as a young boy because my parents were were up there. My dad worked for the Federal government, and we were in northwest territory, Yukon, all the way up north. And so I kinda grew up in understanding there there are other cultures out there, But always we were in a position of power and authority every time. Right? When we started becoming a foster parents actually 24 years ago, it was when we began to be Educated a bit on the indigenous understanding, indigenous culture, indigenous peoples. Because sadly to say, You know, in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, you know, we've got 80 to 90% of the children that are in the care of social services, our indigenous. When we started that path 24 years ago, that was like, wow. Right? And so it was really about, At some point in time in your in your life, you're going to have an indigenous child in your home.

Kevin Harris [: 00:16:01

That's the expectation. And so we began to understand a little bit, you know, my wife and myself Began to, k, what does this mean and what does this look like? And like I said, I've lived it. We lived a pre sheltered life. And then when we started learning to say, this is a wonderful culture. And then when we were blessed with rain into our lives At a very early age, meaning just born, we made it. And and, we have a daughter too. Who's also a beautiful indigenous strong woman. We began to start inquiring, what does this look like and how because we know how important it was to know where you come from.

Kevin Harris [: 00:16:40

And so when we started discovering that, and I tell this story when Rain was 7 years old, we went to his home reserve, which is Pasco First nation for the first time, and we took him there with us. And, he doesn't remember it, but we got out of our Our vehicle and we were camping down there for about a 3 or 4 day camp where we were learning the culture and meaning family, doing some ceremonies, and it was really a cool experience. But the first thing when we got out and started walking around, the first thing he said was, I said, dad, everybody here looks like me. His first verbal acknowledgement that he knows it, He comes from a different place. And so it was like, wow. And I said to him, I said, they look like you because this is your Family. This is where you come from. This is your roots.

Kevin Harris [: 00:17:30

This is your history. This is where your family comes from, and this is the land in which your ancestors walked. And I don't think he understood that depth of that at that time, but it was my first. And then when we we were welcomed into some of the ceremonies and it was a little bit uncomfortable being the only white guy sitting in a, in a lodge of a bunch of men, but I felt so welcome. There was a there was a man who came alongside us, Ashley said, you're new here. He said, let me guide you. Let me help you. And that's what we find in in the culture is that people are so open to teaching, You know, if you're willing to listen and to learn.

Kevin Harris [: 00:18:14

And so we've learned so much. And, yeah, that that was the starting point. There's still there's been other Uncomfortable conversations, which happen all the time because I still have that perspective. Right? I'm still of of a culture that Didn't go through residential school. Rain asked me one time when he was learning about residential school. He said, dad, did you ever go to residential school? And I said, no, I didn't. A lot of my friends that I worked with, a lot of my friends did, who are indigenous. I said, the only reason I wasn't in a residential school is the color of my skin.

Kevin Harris [: 00:18:45

And that was That was a, an eye opener for him, I think, as well to understand that. And so those are uncomfortable conversations, but they're essential, And we learn from them.

Wendi Park [: 00:18:55

And I venture if you didn't have those uncomfortable conversations, your relationship that you have Today, you and Rain, on a very practical level, wouldn't beat the depth that it could be, that sense of belonging. Tell me, Rain, What is it like to connect with your culture? What have those experiences been for you, and what have they taught you?

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:19:19

They've been good. They've been fun, and, I'm learning every day. I like, there's no one no one knows everything, and, I'm still learning. Like, I barely know anything either, but I'm learning every day. You know what I mean by that? Like like

Wendi Park [: 00:19:33

Well, I think that's profound, Rain, because I think that's The posture. If there's 1 message that people need to hear is exactly that we're learning every day. We don't know everything. We're learning every day. There's a sense of leaning in. If that Could be a message that all people could embrace, especially as we honor the day of truth and reconciliation. I think we'd be far further ahead, much further ahead in finding that reconciliation, being open. What is it like when you are in a predominant culture that doesn't acknowledge your indigeneity or you You feel

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:20:14

different. I rarely feel any of that. Whenever I go somewhere, I just I just when I'm dancing, I don't really feel anything. When I'm teaching my dancing or showing my dancing, I just do my dancing and I just go. That's pretty much I don't feel different.

Wendi Park [: 00:20:28

Or because rain is rain, and he's a dance in rain. Yep. That's beautiful.

Kevin Harris [: 00:20:33

And that is beautiful about him. He he just is who he is. You either accept him or that's your Disappointment if you don't. Right? He is who he is, and he'll be who he is regardless of who's around him. But I don't think I mean, he's a humble kid, young man, but I don't think he recognized and acknowledges when he's dancing and there's other people of other cultures, How he impacts them. Mhmm. I mean, I'm in tears many times when he's dancing when I see that, but then when I look around and I see the The awe of people who watch him, and I see, you've made a big impact here. Does a

Wendi Park [: 00:21:15

papa's heart really good, hey?

Kevin Harris [: 00:21:17

Yeah. Well, yeah. I mean and And I don't think he he doesn't do it for that reason.

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:21:22

Right.

Kevin Harris [: 00:21:23

But I think he creates opportunities for helping other people heal, And it helps him heal.

Wendi Park [: 00:21:29

Well, when I hear you both talk, I also see the 2 of you. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. You are who you are. You have led in your own authentic identity, and you bring your whole self. I didn't tell people this, but you are the chair of Care Impact, And you bring your whole self. You are who you are. Right? And I think that is that is a message that we can all embrace. Right?

Kevin Harris [: 00:21:54

I guess I remember a time this past summer, Rain was dancing in a small community at a summer fest and he was dance and he danced his heart out. He was the only one that was able to make it and he danced for hours and hours and hours. And there was 1 lady, an indigenous lady Who, when he started dancing, I watched her and her Heart skipped a beat, and I saw tears in her eyes, and I saw healing taking place in her life. And she just was gifted by him through what he did. And and that's that's a vision I have because that's the impact, not only on his own people, on the own indigenous people, but on anybody who watches, you can see that. It's It's a healing dance is how far as I'm concerned in it.

Wendi Park [: 00:22:44

Yeah. And it's a healing dance of reconciliation. It's it's a demonstration of resiliency. It's a connectedness to creator God. There's so many beautiful things that, I hope that people listening to this will come with an, spirit of curiosity, to lean into with a spirit of curiosity to learn more that, Rain, you said it so beautifully. I don't know everything, but we can keep learning every day, and that's what I'm hoping. Now I'm I'm curious, Rain, what are your hopes and dreams In dancing or or in your future, where do you wanna go with this?

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:23:24

I just wanna go everywhere and teach everyone about what I've learned pretty much.

Wendi Park [: 00:23:28

Yeah. Do you have certain stages or powwows or or places that you would like to go?

Rayne Pasqua [: 00:23:33

There's a big powwow. It's called the gathering of nations. There's a few powers I wanna hit actually in the states. There's a world's fantasy dance championship here in Oklahoma I wanna hit sometime in my life.

Wendi Park [: 00:23:47

Well, you're breaking ground already in Oklahoma City. This is the start to a to a bigger dream.

Johan Heinrichs [: 00:23:53

Yep.

Wendi Park [: 00:23:53

Well, I wanna thank both of you so much for taking the time between your dancing. You can go back outside and dance. I know you're you're itching to go. And, Kevin, you and I are part of a a larger conference here that we are gonna participate in, but thank you so much both for sharing your Your gifts and sharing your story with us. Are there any other last things that you would like to share with with audience About you or any other last

Kevin Harris [: 00:24:21

messages. Get out there and learn. Be open minded. Understand our indigenous family members, because we're all come from the same source. We're all created equal. And there's beauty in every culture, and there's beauty in everything that's around us. And god has gifted our indigenous brothers and sisters with something unique, So the rest of us need to go out and

Wendi Park [: 00:24:46

discover it. And, Rain, your final comments, can I just say to our audience that they can check The the dance in our show notes, go to journey with care dot c a, and that's where your words will be through dance? Is that is that a good good ending? Yeah. Okay. So journey with care dotca folks. Click on the link, and we will have a special feature Of RAIN on the website.

Johan Heinrichs [: 00:25:12

Thank you for joining another conversation on Journey with Care. We're here to inspire curious Canadians on their path of faith and living life with purpose in community. Journey with Care is an initiative of Care Impact, a Canadian charity dedicated to connecting and equipping the whole church to journey well in community. Visit our website at journey with care.ca to connect with Care Impact, find the latest updates on our weekly episodes, details about our upcoming events, meetups, and information about our credible guests. You can also leave us a voice message, share your thoughts, and connect with like minded individuals who are on their own journeys of faith and purpose. Thank you for sharing this podcast with your friends. Together, we can explore ways to journey in a good way, and always remember to stay curious.