The work of Mennonite Central Committee volunteers in a developing aboriginal community
Date
1993
Authors
Dyck, Heinz John
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Abstract
Aid is supposed to reduce poverty. However, a reduction in poverty is not the 'natural' outcome of aid-giving. Large government aid organizations generally are considered to be contributing to the problems of disadvantaged peoples in Low-Income Countries. On the other hand, smaller non-governmental organizations (NGOs) generally are seen as respecting cultures, administering to the 'poorest of the poor,' and working in cooperation with the 'grassroots.' Aboriginal peoples in Canada have much in common with the majority of so-called 'Third World' people. According to all social and economic indicators, First Nations people are the most disadvantaged peoples in Canada. This thesis examines the efforts of one NGO, the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), among the Holat'in (pseudonym) aboriginal people living in the Barano (pseudonym) area in British Columbia.
The 16 working hypotheses that evolved from the review of the outsiders' role in aboriginal communities and the work of NGOs overseas directed the fieldwork in 1986-87. Many of the statements focus on the character of the MCC volunteers, for program success has been linked to personality. As this is a humanistic inquiry, I have attempted to convey accurately the perspective of those under study. Participant observation, depth interviews, and time diaries were the qualitative methods used, and numerous unpublished documents became sources of additional information and also served to corroborate data collected through interviews and observation.
From initial contact in 1974, 14 full-time volunteers had completed their terms of service with MCC in Barano by 1986. Positions included that of welfare aide, teachers at both the Band preschool and elementary school, and 'parents' at the receiving, foster, and group homes. Only the group home assignment did not pertain exclusively to the La'malis people.
In January 1987, approximately at the mid-point in the fieldwork period, ten MCC volunteers were active in Barano. Four volunteers were group home parents, two were teachers, one was the education coordinator, another was the boat and house manager, and two volunteers were unassigned (spouses with children). The Band's preschool position was filled by a volunteer both for a fourth time and an eighth consecutive year.
Despite the large contingent of volunteers active in 1987 and the near continuous volunteer presence since 197 4, most villagers did not realize these people were in fact volunteers connected with an aid organization. Most of the volunteers filled existing or newly created positions. However, apart from the boat and house manager position, training components were not incorporated into the assignments so that La'malis residents could eventually take over positions. Moreover, volunteers' experiences reveal that MCC staff had not planned most of the assignments adequately.
While MCC's involvement in La'malis from 1974 to 1987 did not generate a dramatic tum around in the development of the community, the volunteers who were active in the village were accepted by La'malis residents. Perhaps the most significant contribution was provided by the teachers, who created a warm atmosphere where children found acceptance and could learn about their Holat'in language and traditions. An attitude of respect, as well as a genuine concern for the well-being of the people, stand out as volunteer traits. Most importantly, the volunteers were able to establish friendships with La'malis people. Such bonds only can serve to promote true human development among both privileged and disadvantaged peoples.