[Content note: This story contains subject matter that may trigger some readers, particularly Survivors of the Residential School System.]

Allen and Marlene’s story is a beautiful tapestry of restoration, woven together by the hands of Jesus.

“The turning point of my life is when Marlene and I met. Then I started following the trail wherever she goes—the love trail!” Allen and Marlene Matoush celebrate 44 years of marriage this year. The couple is Eenou, also known as Cree. They share life with their beautiful family—five children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild—in the community of Mistissini in Northern Quebec.

For nearly 20 years, the Matoushes have planted seeds of hope into their community. They’ve helped young Indigenous couples embrace the gospel in their marriages using their cultural context. Their connection to FamilyLife Canada was a natural fit. “I’d never heard about FamilyLife Canada until a friend invited us to one of the conferences,” Allen explains.

This year, Allen and Marlene joined six other Indigenous couples at FamilyLife’s speaker training in Lake Louise. Marlene said the experience helped her feel more confident. “I never imagined that I would become a FamilyLife conference speaker,” Marlene shares. “I really enjoy speaking of what He’s done for us as a couple and as for me as an individual.”

Two months later, the Lord led the couple to speak and teach at the first Indigenous Couple’s Getaway in western Canada, in Red Deer, AB. Their story is a beautiful tapestry of restoration, woven together by the hands of Jesus. Allen and Marlene have graciously agreed to share their journey with us.

“I was five years old when the government came to our village and took children away from families,” Allen shares. “Growing up somewhere else, you’ve lost that sense of belonging. Along the way, I experienced a hunger to be filled with identity.” 

Both Allen and Marlene are Residential School Survivors. Taken from their families at the age of five, they lived far from home until they were eighteen. Even though they grew up at the same school, they didn’t find each other until they were in their twenties.

“Growing up in a Residential School for 10 months out of the year resulted in no connection with my parents,” Marlene explains. “Even my own siblings were in different dormitories.” Marlene says the separation caused her family to interact more like strangers.

“Life was a lot easier because I knew who was with me every day—walking with me, teaching me, guiding me.”

Recounting her childhood experiences coming home for the summer months, Marlene says she witnessed alcohol abuse, aggression, and violence. During these times at home, Marlene resolved not to live a life filled with fear and pain. Instead, she held a vision in her heart of a hopeful future.

Allen always wanted to marry a woman from his community. Marlene was his dream come true! But when he proposed, Marlene didn’t answer him right away. Instead, she asked whether or not he could agree to exclude drugs and alcohol from their marriage and future family.

“Marlene had to make that condition before she responded,” Allen says. “She apparently knew my lifestyle.” Allen was in love, so, of course, he agreed! “That’s when I said yes,” Marlene adds. “I needed to hear him say he wanted that kind of life too.”

Their marriage struggled early on. Growing up in Residential School, Allen and Marlene weren’t taught family and relational values. They had to learn anew. In their early twenties, both came to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour—God’s restorative work in their lives and marriage began.

“He changed our lives. He changed my life around,” Allen remarks. After surrendering to the Lord, Marlene says she hasn’t gone back. “Life was a lot easier because I knew who was with me every day—walking with me, teaching me, guiding me.”

Twenty-five years into married life, they renewed their vows. “We see what the Lord has done in our lives and the lessons we learned along the way as a couple,” Marlene shares. “I’m not going to say we had a perfect marriage, but we grew.”

Allen and Marlene’s hearts are set on being a couple who love the Lord and teach others. They are passionate about helping couples grow closer by sharing tools they learned. Marlene reflects on some of those lessons:

“I learned what forgiveness is. If anybody is struggling out there in their relationship, forgiveness is the key and also love, having a vision and working towards that vision. It can be done with the help of the Lord. I see my life where it is right now, happily married to this handsome man. It’s just so amazing. I know it can be done.”

Working with FamilyLife Canada has been a wonderful experience for the couple. “It’s really good to know that you’re in a larger family,” Allen says. Speaking at conferences has even supported Marlene’s continued healing. “I’ve really learned to use my Cree language. I used to be so nervous but now I just pick it up. It’s an amazing journey with my Lord.”

Through Allen and Marlene’s openness and partnership with FamilyLife Canada, God is bringing help and hope to Indigenous families across Canada the country. Please join us in praying for Allen, Marlene, and the FamilyLife team as they continue to plant seeds, plan events, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit on this incredible journey.

We are grateful to Allen and Marlene Matoush for sharing their personal and painful accounts of their Residential School experience and God’s power to transform their lives. By sharing their stories, we can all continue working toward understanding, healing, and restoration with God’s grace and mercy.