In 1967, when Lee Hamelin was just four years old, he and several of his siblings were forcibly removed from their Aboriginal family's home in northern Alberta, Canada, never to return again. With the authorities labelling his mother as "morally depraved and of no benefit to society," Lee and his siblings became wards of the government, part of the Sixties Scoop-the mass removal of Aboriginal children from their families into Canada's child welfare system from the mid 1950s to the 1980s.
While the Sixties Scoop exposed thousands of Aboriginal children to the horrors of the residential school system, Lee and his brother avoided that fate. Instead, they were placed with loving foster parents who raised the two boys as if they were their own.
Lee is immensely thankful for the situation where he and his brother ended up. However, growing up in a white home as a minority in his community, completely cut off from his Aboriginal roots, still created many complications that he has had to cope with throughout his life, including racism, prejudice, and questions about his identity.
Lee eventually followed in his foster father's footsteps, becoming a mechanic and operating his own automotive repair business.
While he and his wife, Paulette, who live in Stettler, Alberta, have suffered their own personal traumas, including the loss of two children, they have managed to maintain a positive outlook on life, aided in no small part by their strong Christian faith.
That faith has led Lee to start a new ministry through writing the book, Beyond My Control. Indian Life Ministries directors Todd and Krystal Wawryzniak caught up with Lee at his book signing to ask some questions.
Q: What was your vision in writing your book?
The reason I wrote my book is to let people know how my life turned out, even in my uncontrollable circumstances. To know that God was in control all along and He had a plan for my life. Even though I suffered the loss of my culture and family, this loss was outweighed by the gain of obtaining eternal life, which was a decision in my control. I want people to realize that out of a sad story, a good story emerged, and that out of darkness came light. That light did shine on me and continues to shine. If there is light at the end of the tunnel for me, there is light at the start, the middle and the end for anybody. There is hope!
Q: Tell us about your family.
I am happily married to my wife of 38 years. She is a woman granted to me by my Creator, even granting to me the very specifics I had asked for. Our daughter, Ally, lives in Sherwood Park, Alb. and works at a car dealership, just like her dad. Our son, Samuel, lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a beautiful wife named Audry. They are expecting their first child. We had two other sons; Jonah was seven years of age and Joshua was four years of age when they went to heaven, safely home.
Q: What type of work and/or ministry are you currently involved in?
I am still "turning wrenches" as a mechanic after 54 years. As a family, we have been involved in some form of church ministry at every church we attended-teaching Sunday school class, leading worship, sitting as an elder or deacon or trustee. Our call to service has been to help where there is a need. Currently, I am an elder, sit on the mission board and help teach a teen class at Erskine Evangelical Free Church, in Erskine Alb.
Q: When did God get a hold of your life?
God knew me before I was born. I asked the Lord into my heart when I was four years of age, and then rededicated my life to Him while attending Sturgeon Lake Bible Camp at twelve years of age.
Even growing up and disobeying God, when I was losing control of my life, He was in control. When I was going my own way, drinking and taking drugs, the Lord was always by my side, protecting me, disciplining me, and teaching me. I always felt His presence. How fortunate for me to have such a friend.
Even though I often questioned my cultural identity growing up, and continue to do so at times, I have always felt assured that the Creator of the universe is my friend. He walks with me, He talks with me and gives me peace when there is no peace to be found.
My true identity is found in the Creator through His son Jesus who died for me. When the dark walls of death were closing in, my Friend sent an angel. My Friend has always sent an angel to protect me, to comfort me, to guide me. How fortunate I am to have such a Friend. Even when I don't deserve the goodness that He gives, He still gives it.
Q: What encouragement or exhortation would you give to someone walking through really challenging times?
The troubles we all face in life, the struggles we all face in life, the disappointments we all face in life, the thoughts of ending it all can be given to Him. He will carry us and lift us up because He loves us.
He loves His creation and He wants to have a relationship with us. Worship the Creator, accept Jesus, His Son, into your heart and let the Holy Spirit fill you with the peace that I can't fully understand, but I believe it to be true. My peace is found in Him. Favorite verse. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.
Beyond My Control, by Lee Hamelin, is available through Amazon.com.
