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This article is from Today's
Native Father, issue #104, July/August, 1999. Related articles from this
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A Son's Tribute To a Wonderful
Dad by Levi Beardy |
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My dad, Absolom Beardy, was one of the hardest workers I have every known. Yet he always had time for people. Dad was born on the Big Trout Lake reserve, where his grandfather had been a signer of an adhesion to Treaty Number 9 and his parents were leaders in the Anglican Church. He left the reserve and became a gold miner in Red Lake, Ontario. He often won the contests which tested the skills of the miners and always worked for the bonuses which were offered. Those who worked with him described him as “most professional” and were awed by his strength and skill. Even after a weekend of drinking he was always ready for work on Monday morning. Because of his hard work, his wife and twelve children never went hungry. There was always food on the table for the family and the many guests. This was a time when other First Nations people were moving from the north, looking for jobs and homes in the south. Our home became a stopping point for these families. We never knew who would be coming or how long they would be staying. Dad freely offered hospitality to all who were in need. Dad was also the first in his neighbourhbood to put in a sidewalk, a fence and a lawn. When the local newspaper published pictures of it, other neighbours started improving their properties. In 1965 Dad met the Lord! His hard work and hospitality were now committed to fulfilling the Great Commission. He watched other Christians and learned from their example. Although lacking in English and formal education, he witnessed to all he met. By the time of his death he had pioneered and served as overseer of ten Native language churches in Northwestern Ontario. In the beginning he endured much opposition. Some band councils refused to allow him onto their reserves with the Gospel. Finances and resources were often limited. He even had to work without the support of his children, who had not yet caught his vision. But he and his wife kept their eyes on the Lord. In turn, the Lord has been faithful to him in many ways. Dad ministered to both Native and non-Native people in his travels and weekly radio broadcasts. He is warmly remembered by many for his sense of humour and God-given ability to encourage others in the faith. Three of his children became pastors or wives of pastors. Dad’s example of perse-verance lives on in his descendents. Absolom Beardy went to be with the Lord on February 25, 1999, at age 68. Levi, his eldest son, is President of National Native Bible College in Deseronto, Ontario, and, like his father, is a hard worker. |
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