I've been home to the reserve in Nova Scotia. 400 years later they still struggle just to make ends meet. My band only has one half living "on reserve", the other half live "off reserve". That warm heart and nature is there whether you are on reserve or never stepped foot onto the Rez. The cooking and eating as a group on weekends is off the charts!! The gifting back and forth for no reason at all or perhaps as a return of a favor, is the money of the society. Someone needs porch fixed, consider it done. The one thing I can say to all my cousins up there is you have each others back. A few members are into the dancing circuit, earning some money for the year, it gets cold and dark come winter. The substance abuse treatment resources are off the charts. The Rez my grandmother, ran away from, (drunk men being nefarious and bad acting), is in check. The clean life is a good one. Being true, having integrity, are now part of the main teachings. It's paying off. Thank you my cuz's for caring and changing rez life.