What Goes Around, Comes Around

Learned something today. I was observing a Canadian History class and my cooperating teacher was talking about the 1885 rebellion in Saskatchewan. They talked all about Louis Riel and whether he was a hero or a murderer, they explored the tensions between Quebec and Ontario over the subject, etc.

But then they talked about someone else.

Gabriel Dumont.

Now, Dumont was one of Riel's top guns. The guy could hit anything within range while galloping full steam ahead on his horse. A very skilled shooter. Also wanted by the Canadian government for treason against the country.

Unlike Riel, however, Dumont escaped to the United States before any Canadian army could capture him. While he was down there, he actually joined the "Wild West Show" that toured all over the former 13 colonies giving them a taste of the "Wild West." (He, of course, played the part of an Aboriginal who, of course, lost all the time. But then he dazzled everyone with his marksmanship).

But back to the story.

Eventually, the Canadian government granted Dumont a pardon. He was now free to return to his home in Saskatchewan without the fear of getting arrested.

So he did.

But he couldn't stay home. He had grown up as a Metis usually did at that time: he was a hunter and roamed all over the prairie all the time. As it turned out, the trail he used ran right by the home of a Mr. Diefenbaker, who had a son named John. Mr. Diefenbaker would welcome Dumont into his home for a night here and there and would share meals with the hunter. In return for his kindness, Dumont taught young John how to shoot with accuracy. In the meantime, John Diefenbaker got the chance to hear stories of Louis Riel and the injustices done to the Metis in the 1880s.

Dumont dies when Diefenbaker was 11 years old.

As you may know, Diefenbaker grew up to be a lawyer who offered his services for free to native and metis people who needed legal help. Oh, and he also became Prime Minister.

He became the Prime Minister who passed the Bill of Rights, recognising the rights of Natives and Metis people to vote in Canadian elections (1960s). It was only then that Natives were allowed off the reserves without a pass (like a hall pass or something). He was the Prime Minister who convinced the UN to stop trading with South Africa until apartheid was stopped (interestingly enough, apartheid in SA was modelled after the reserve system in Canada... think about that for a bit).

So, Mr. Dumont, what goes around, comes around.

Congratulations.

So what can we learn from Gabriel Dumont? Simply this: when something happens to you that you consider an injustice, don't hate the people who did it to you. Do good to those who harm you and thus pour hot coals on their heads. Eventually, maybe someone will agree with you and take up your cause... and even if not, you know that all things work out to the good of those who love the Lord.

Dumont never lived to see the day that his time invested in the childhood of a white boy from Ontario came to benefit people around the world, but we can look back and say, "Well done, Gabriel. May history smile on you."