Tipiskak Iskwecis: A Spark in the Dark

Part 1- Memoir

John Langan is born in Regina, SK but goes through a rough life of poverty, and loss at a very young age. Losing his father to suicide at 4 years of age, John embarks on witnessing many different traumas as a child growing up. Exposed to violence, death, foster care, abduction, and racism John continues to keep his head up despite the world around him.

John’s father, Henry Langan Jr, attempts to commit suicide in front of John and his 4 older brothers for a total of 3 times, and suceeding on his 4th attempt away from John and his brothers. John is the youngest of 5 brothers, with a half brother as well being younger than himself.

John experiences being abducted a total of three times ranging from old perverts to young girls all before the age 6 years old. On one occasion, John and his brother Hank are almost abducted from a local well-known pervert named, “Dirty Harry”. His oldest brother saves them from the perver almost abducting him and Hank.

John also cuts his hair due to multiple occurrences of racism that happen to him directly from adults around him. The tipping point was when a photographer told John to tuck his nicely made braids behind his collar because, “Boys aren’t meant to have braids like that.”

John gets a step dad named Rodney Severight that teaches him cultural knowledge, and how to navigate this world despite racism and stereotypes. John’s older brothers were exposed to more situations of violence, gang activity, and more drug use. John’s stepdad also served with the Canadian Forces with the now disbanded Airborne Regiment leading to the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. Rodney is a journeyman welder, and once his body breaks down, he applies for Social Work and completes that program. This work ethic is transferred down to John and his brothers. Throughout that experience, there are stories of his parents struggling with addiction, loss, and pill adventures that John witnessed firsthand.

John grows up poor, but is happy. John attended a total of approximately 13 different elementary schools, and four different high schools, and one university.

John also prevented a murder growing up in one of his many homes. This man was trying to hurt his family, so one of his brothers almost beat the man to death with John telling his brother, “Just let him go, it’s not worth it; you guys are just drunk, let him go.” One of John’s older brothers ends up robbing a bank, liquor stores,and multiple vehicles. They also are involved in stabbings, and being victims of stabbings.

John learns his stepdad has also become addicted to drugs intravenously stemming from his dark history in the Residential School System in Canada. His mother also has become addicted to prescription pills with problems also stemming from Residential schools.

John keeps his head level, and joins the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, after having a brush with the law at 13 years of age; becoming involved in a break and enter with other ‘friends who blamed it on him.’ After working with the family via ‘Alternative Measures Program’ John joins Air-cadets, as the family whom was victimized were involved with Air Cadets. Through Air-Cadets, John stays occupied and concentrates his efforts on proving he wasn’t like other ‘Indians’ (Indigenous people). Helping bring back the football program to Canora, SK, president of Students and Drinking and Driving, are some of the events that John did to prove he wasn’t like the rest.

John started the military in July 2007 attending the Bold Eagle Program in CFB Wainwright, AB. The program is for indigenous people, and incorporates indigenous teachings mixed with a Basic Military Qualification. After returning to civilian life, John enrolled in adult grade 12 classes to prepare himself for RMC for the Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year (ALOY). After being denied entry due to a 170.00 unpaid cable bill that went to collections, John didn’t give up and continued to apply for the University of Saskatchewan. John was given a full scholarship from his home reservation, and obtained his Bachelor degree in Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Indigenous Justice and Criminology.

John also loses his stepdad to intravenous drugs. In the meantime, joining the military and enrolling in University despite the world around him.

Through determination and resilience, John is able to finish University, and meet the love of his life Bianca. Bianca and John have children Sage and Xavier, pushing them to quit drinking and live a clean life. Bianca and John lean on culture and ceremony to further excel their lives.

*Spiritual trials are also incorporated throughout the book.* Various stories of spiritual trials, and stories are explored. With a high suicidal rate of indigenous youth, John hopes his story will help other young indigenous people in the same boat.

After finally landing a job with the Saskatoon Police Service, and still serving with the Canadian Armed Forces, John still finds time to attend ceremonies and educate those around him, and not shy/embarrassed about his upbringing. Currently promoted to a Sergeant at his home unit (North Saskatchewan Regiment). John is starting to see that he is in a position to create change within the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Saskatoon Police Service.

Stories of his experience in the Canadian Armed Forces are shared in the book. With stories of his DP1 Infantryman course, Primary Leadership Qualification, and other courses John shows a mix of spirituality and soldier life throughout the pages. “Other soldiers will relate to the stories told through the pages, but also made understandable to the average reader as well.”

Balancing spiritual life/police life/soldier life. John shows how it is all possible with a mindset of time management, and professionalism. “In everything you do in life, you do it with honesty.”

With life experience, John brings forth knowledge of his cultural identity, and life experience. With all his trials, John speaks highly of his wife Bianca. “Bianca was my bright light spread in darkness. She pushes me in ways no other person has in my life.” Bianca is a social worker with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, and they both feed off each others experiences in their respective fields.

“I want to spread the word that there is a multitude of smart indigenous people out there that have a lot to offer and share; we just need to start somewhere and be understood.”

Part 2- Ceremonies/Protocol

Serves as a book to pass on knowledge that is learned in person, but is passed on through pages of protocol, and step by step instructions on what to do, and how to approach indigenous ceremonies. Permission from elders, knowledge keepers has permitted them to put these teachings on paper for future generations.

John speaks about specific ceremonies in these pages, and isn’t afraid to show his own personal experiences in these pages as well.

“It’s normally frowned upon, but something needs to be done to ensure our cultural/spiritual ways are carried on.”

Various ceremonies are explained, so the average reader can understand what to do, and who to approach.

Stories of fasting, sundances, sweat lodges, chicken dances, horse dances, ghost dances, round dances, and pow wows are explained in part 2 of the book.

“Many people wanted me to write a book with all my experiences, so I decided to write a book on Thanksgiving 2020. It was a perfect time during this pandemic.”

In two weeks, John wrote 200 pages in his rough copy, and dispersed it to trusted individuals who had nothing but good things to say about the rough copy. John continues to self-publish as the material in the book is too sensitive to put in the hands of publishers.

One of John’s coaches, Kendal Netmaker, has made the process more streamlined. Kendal, who has got to know John over the years, is also a very successful entrepreneur. Named the top 40 under 40 in Canada for top business person, Kendal pushes John forward to get his story out to readers across the world. Kendal told John, as John was thinking to make it a local book, “Just promise me you’ll make it as big as you can.” John from that moment, start setting his sights out further in hopes of reaching a more national audience.

Sgt/Cst John Langan (native name Wapastim {Whitehorse}) is from Keeseekoose First Nation, Treaty 4 territory, Bear Clan, traditional knowledge keeper, and father of 2, foster parent, and married to a Beautiful Cree woman named Bianca Ermine. Book is slated for May 21, 2021 release, and will be available on Amazon via Kindle, e book, and physical copies will be available through his website (www.JohnLangan.com). More pictures of John’s story also found on his Facebook (John Langan), Instagram (@therealJohnLangan).