She Taught Us All: Honouring the Legacy of Jean Stewart

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When springtime had come, the class terms were done, I called them and asked if they still wanted me. They, without hesitation, said, “We’d be glad to have you.” I packed my little apartment and put my belongings in storage for the summer and boarded the Greyhound bus to Red Deer where I joined Pastor Larry Keegstra, the camp director, with a ministry team on a Camp Living Water tour. We would go to several First Nations Reservations in Northern Alberta to get camp brochures out for the upcoming camps in July. The team travelled for two weeks, and together we ministered wonderfully although we all rarely knew one another. Tara was part of the team at this time as she and I became close friends and co-workers. In June, Tara and I were selected to represent Camp Living Water in several of the churches that supported the camp.  

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In between these activities, we would spend a few days at Jean and Larry’s place in Rocky Mountain House. These visits with them were sweet. Every night before bedtime, she would dish up a bowl of ice cream for Larry and I. He was glad to have someone there to enjoy late-night ice cream with him. It was during these visits that we began to discuss the mission field to First Nations in Canada. I expressed how clear it was to me about the calling and anointing of God on the camp was a significant part of the great commission to reach native youth with the Gospel. In these conversations, Jean and Larry brought to my attention that I should pray about if God was calling me to my own people – First Nations.  

Jean believed in me. She recognized the call of God on my life and the gifting she felt I had as well. She began to involve me as a guest speaker at Women’s Aglow meetings in Rocky Mountain House, Drayton Valley, and Edmonton. I was just 20-years-old. I was not nervous to speak either, for I felt God’s calling on me and I would minister on whichever passage of scripture the Lord inspired me to preach on.  

I continued to return to camp every summer. For two years I was part of the board of directors. For about five years of living at their place off and on, doing camps and follow-up ministry in B.C. and Alberta during winter, their home was like a second home to me. In the summer of 2000, I moved to the North to join another ministry. I regret the lack of wisdom I had in my departure. It was right before a summer of camps was about to begin. This was not fair to them. This caused a rift in our relationship. It was about five years afterwards that a reformed relationship with Jean and Larry had begun. I loved them dearly. I was glad to be able to renew this relationship with them. I reached out to Pastor Larry about the possibility of bringing a small team from our tent ministry group to minister one night at their camp. He welcomed the team and thus began a re-forming of the relationship with them.  

I was able to frequently visit with Jean and Larry in Rocky Mountain House as we were passing through the area. Ever since, I have endeavored to maintain this friendship with them, and it seemed the bond we had grew stronger. When her husband passed in 2007, I was there to be with her the few days prior to the funeral while the family made preparations that week. She just wanted me to sit by her side and keep her company.   

It was always my priority to make time for Jean — Kohkum Jean is what I called her (In the Cree First Nations language, Kohkum means grandmother). In the Cree culture, we are taught to honour the elderly. Pay your respects to them. I loved her like she was my own grandmother. She was not a replacement of my biological grandmother, for I had my own special and unique relationship with my Kohkum Dorothy.  We were always close.  

Jean was an extra Kohkum to me. We held a spiritual bond that is deeper than being related by blood. That is because there is that family of Christian faith that is joined by God’s Spirit, where you can discuss spiritual things on a level that is different than those of your own flesh and blood who are not walking with God. My Kohkum Dorothy also knows the Lord.  

Often Kohkum Jean and I would meet at Tim Hortons, or we would take a drive to the mountains and have a meal in Nordegg. Other times we’d have a picnic by the creek or go to the Fort Saskatchewan River Crossing just for ice cream. She would always say, “You just made my year!” Of course I knew that she likely said that to any of those who paid her a special visit. She was a lover of people. 

Kohkum Jean was a spiritual mentor. I deeply respected her, knowing what she and Larry sacrificed for the camp to continue operating. They relied on miracles of provision. God always came through for them. I recall stories she would share about how at times as a cook at camp, she was not sure how the meal was going to be enough for the whole camp. But as she dished out the bowls of food that were taken from the pots on the kitchen stove to each table filled with campers and camp workers, somehow the pot of food did not go below the halfway mark. The women who were her kitchen helpers were full of excitement to see this miracle of multiplication right before their eyes. This is just one example of the miraculous provisions of God that occurred for this ministry. Yet, on their knees is how this camp continues to function. 

Not only was Jean co-founder of Camp Living Water, she was President of the Northwest Area Board of Alberta for Women’s Aglow. She also was a leader in the Tupperware business of which she connected with many women, thereby sharing the love of God with them. At one time, they sold Melaleuca products. They were always entrepreneurial.  

One of the main things that I observed about her and Larry was their conviction for unity in the churches and ministries. To them, this should include equal recognition of First Nation ministers in the ministry. They advocated for mutuality and appreciation of Indigenous pastors, leaders, and evangelists who served their people.  

This is one of the virtues that they often vocalized – local Christian unity includes recognizing First Nations Ministers of the Gospel. Both her and Larry genuinely loved First Nations. Whenever they saw a native person in a Christian gathering, they would directly go and meet that person, inviting them to sit with them or to meet later for coffee. The Saddle Lake Cree First Nations, seemed to have an extra place in their hearts. They were especially bonded with Flora and Cameron Jackson and family. Flora spent many summers in the kitchen with Jean. Now they are having sweet fellowship together in heaven. 

Jean taught me many things. Not in words only, but in her way of doing things. It was in how she loved and accepted people without judging them. She exemplified what it means to show unconditional love in order for others to know they were valued in the eyes of God. She may not have preached and prophesied publicly in the common way; however, she did pray and proclaim in faith the potential of those she encountered – and there were many.  

She also loved her family dearly. She often asked for prayers for them whenever they faced difficult challenges. I always felt honoured when she would ask specific things to pray for, especially in times of crisis. She understood that there is no distance in prayer. She would also tell me her delight in how many grandchildren and great-grandchildren were being added to the family. She was very proud of that. 

Her light, her love, her kindness, her courage, her tenacity, her humility, her honesty and tactful bluntness, and her faith lives on in the lives of those she touched. She leaves with us an incredible legacy. She knew and expressed that if it wasn’t for the Lord, she could not fathom how anyone could go on. The Lord was her ultimate strength, and this is the impression she leaves with us who continue in our journey of life. I am very certain that she received a standing ovation in heaven as she entered that realm. 

I needed to write these words since I process things deeply. I miss her dearly. Jean has run her race. I am happy for her to be in the presence of her Lord, and with Larry. The last time that I saw her was at the Seniors’ Lodge, in her room, in February 2025. We had such a sweet and precious visit. I had the feeling that I would not be seeing her again this side of eternity. So I held her hand a little longer and she held mine with the most precious smile. Thank you, Lord, for your hand in placing Jean in my life as she was one of those whom you have used to mold me into the person that I am today. I can’t wait to see her again in your presence where there is fullness of joy.   

Written by: 

Dr. Velma D. White, Cree First Nations of Saddle Lake Alberta  

Velma White Ministries, South Dakota, USA, vwm.drvelmawhite@gmail.com 

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Pattison Media. Column/op-ed suggestions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@rdnewsNOW.com.