March 19, 2009

A Tribute to Don Hamilton by David Harrison, Chair, DayStar Board

I have known Don for almost all the time I have been a follower of Jesus, that's approximately 25-years.
Don baptised me about 18-months after I accepted Christ as my Saviour and then married me to my dear
wife, Wendy.

For a wedding gift Don and Joan gave us a beautiful plaque with the following words made famous by
Jim Elliott, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." Don has
finally given up what none of us can keep, to receive his Heavenly reward which can never be lost.
[Don's first wife Joan died of brain cancer in 1995]

There are few people who fall into the category of 'great', but Don was one of few truly great people I
have ever known. I am grateful that before he left Don and I were able to express our love for each other
and that my last memory will be of Don, leading us, as members of the DayStar Board, in Communion as
we ate the bread and drank the wine together, just three Saturday's ago.

Don has frequently spoken at Bendale Bible chapel where Wendy and I attend. Wendy invited Don for
lunch one Sunday, and with a twinkle in his eye, asked, "Would it be OK to bring a friend?" And so we
were introduced to Shirley and the work of DayStar.

You cannot separate Don from those people who were the most important in His life. His greatest love
was for his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It was this great love of Jesus that Don wanted to share with
others. When Shirley introduced Don to the Native peoples, especially the people of Wikwemikong, he
fell in love with them and they with him.

I truly wish you could have been with me to experience the outpouring of affection and expressions of
love by the people of Wiky at his wake and funeral service. Shirley and the family where overwhelmed
by the love shown towards them by the Wikwemikong community. I do not think I am exaggerating to
say that Don received the Native equivalent of a State Funeral. The Chief of Wikwemikong ordered that
the flags be flown at half-mast - the first time ever for a non-native.

At the funeral four Native drummers played the Honour Song. I understand this is the Native equivalent
of a 21-gun salute. I have heard native drums before on TV and not been particularly impressed. If you
haven't heard these drums live you have heard nothing. They are tremendously loud, and combined with
the singing, fill you with awe and raw emotion. We have much to learn from the Native people, not the
least of which is the way they honour their elders. Don's coffin was draped with a tribal flag. Like most
of us, Don was white on the outside, but Don died with Indian blood flowing through his veins.

I spoke with several of the Native people and they are bound and determined to continue the work that
Don and Shirley have started. Randy Trudeau and Darren are just two of the new generation of Native
leaders that Don has spent countless hours discipling. They recognize that to not continue the ministry
of DayStar and the Wiky Fellowship would be to dishonour Don's memory and all that he and Shirley
have worked so tirelessly to accomplish.

Don called me in December to help resolve some urgent issues that were affecting the DayStar ministry
that Shirley and her former husband, Dick Olhman, started some 31-years ago. Back then it was known
as Mobile Ministries and Shirley and Dick travelled around, visiting countless Native reserves around the
Great Lakes. In January a new DayStar Board was formed and legally registered as a not-for-profit
corporation. I am pleased to say that most of the issues we have faced are being dealt with and we are
moving forward with great excitement. Aside from all the daily activities of DayStar, which include daily
kids' drop-in, bi-weekly men's and women's fellowship groups, a clothing bank and all kinds of pastoral
work, we are running 18 Summer Clubs on the different reserves this year and we, Shirley especially,
need more help.

At our last meeting Don emphasized the need for a General Manager for DayStar, to coordinate the staff
and volunteers, both native and non-native, and free Shirley up to plan and to continue the mentoring of
new Native Leaders. In accordance with the Board's long-term vision, that DayStar will transition into a
native-run ministry, it was agreed that this General Manager position should be filled by a qualified
Native person.

Following the funeral, the Board met briefly and concluded that a very practical way for us to honour
Don would be for the Board to establish a fund in his name, to allow DayStar to hire a Native individual
fulltime, to fill the position of General Manager for DayStar. It would thrill Don's heart to see this
happen.

During the wake, which lasted from Sunday to Tuesday morning, Don's body was watched over
continuously by the native people. On Sunday and Monday evenings there were times of worship and
praise for Don's life and countless testimonies recited as a tribute to a great, great man of God, before
standing room only crowds.

The funeral service was held in the Catholic Church next door to the Wiky Centre before a gathering of
more than 250 people. The internment was a family affair in Newmarket, where Don's body was laid to
rest. On Wednesday evening approximately 300 people gathered at Parkway Bible Church in
Scarborough for a memorial service. Two young men from Shirley's home chuch in Michigan drove
non-stop to attend the memorial service and then turned around and drove straight back for work the
next day.

Personally, I am deeply grateful for the hours I spent in Wiky, where I was able to witness the
transforming power of Christ's love acknowledged in the testimonies of so many Native people. I am
grateful to Don for his friendship, teaching and mentoring over all these years. And most of all, I am
grateful to the One who has made all this possible and has already welcomed Don into His wonderful
presence.

To Don I would say, "Gigawabamin Nagutch" (That means see you later)

Donations to the Don Hamilton Memorial Fund can be mailed to the address shown on the Contact Us
Page - If you would like to add a short tribute, please send an e-mail to
info@daystarnavtiveoutreach.com