The goal of Native American/Indigenous Ministries is the full inclusion of Native and Indigenous peoples in the life and leadership of the Episcopal Church.
Doctrine of Discovery Lament at General Convention
In 2009, the Episcopal Church became the first church to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery with several churches following our lead, including the World Council of Churches in February 2012. In order to educate our church on resolution D035 “to Repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery,” this event brought stories of indigenous peoples to churchwide leaders by Indigenous Ministries officer Sarah Eagle Heart, with Social and Economic Justice officer the Rev. Chris Johnson and Lifelong Christian Formation officer Ruth Ann Collins. The story offerings came from several areas of the church to demonstrate how the Episcopal Church’s involvement in the Doctrine of Discovery has led to issues Indigenous people face today.
The event was held in the Grand Ballroom of the JW Marriott hotel in Indianapolis, the same room used for all of the worship at General Convention 2012. However, for the lament, chairs were set up in concentric circles in the middle of the huge room. In the center of the circle was a large table covered in purple cloth and votive candles in thick glass blocks. There were over 200 people sitting around the circle, including five vested bishops, and many other bishops, clergy, and lay people of the church. The six presentations were layered with prayers, scripture reading, songs, silence, and the “drum.” The drum – a group who sings and plays – was the Red Leaf Singers from the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. The music team included Ron Braman (Eastern Shoshone), piano and voice; and Hovia Edwards (Shoshone-Bannock), a Grammy-nominated flutist.
Another very important partner in educating the church on the Doctrine of Discovery has been the Native American Council of Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati. Without them, none of this work would’ve been possible.
Articles
April 10, 2013
Migel's small plot of maize crop appeared infested with weeds; tall green plants disrupted the ordered rows of corn stalks. But Migel explained that the green legume, indigenous to Chiapas, Mexico, functioned as a natural fertilizer by extracting nitrogen from the air and enriching the soil.
Migel then took us to his garden. He had interspersed basil and oregano plants among his...
April 1, 2013
[Episcopal News Service] Military service is an historical tradition in Navajo culture.
In Mike Bekis’ immediate family, for instance, 38 members have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
“Just like my five uncles before us, they were all World War II [veterans], all of us have stepped up,” said Bekis, in a telephone call from Farmington, New Mexico, with...
January 23, 2013
Deacon LaCinda Hardy-Constant, Ranger Grace Roybal, the Rt. Rev. David Bailey, Deacon Catherine Plummer and Arnold Joe, an aspirant, holding hands in prayer during a November visit to the Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner State Monument in New Mexico. ENS Photo/Lynette Wilson
[Episcopal News Service] Some of them died of broken hearts.
While Union and Confederate soldiers waged war...
January 23, 2013
A Navajo rendition of the ascension hangs above the altar at St. Michael’s Church in Upper Fruitland, New Mexico. In addition to Mary, Jesus and St. Michael, it includes a hogan, or traditional Navajo dwelling, the church and and oil derrick. ENS Photo/Lynette Wilson
[Episcopal News Service] Every third Sunday, Deacon Paula Henson travels 200 miles round trip from Fort Defiance, Arizona...
November 27, 2012
The Bishops’ Native Collaborative gathered October 24-25, in Fairbanks, Alaska, to continue their work and discussions on how best to provide for the needs of leadership training, both lay and ordained, in each of the dioceses and for the larger church. Lively discussion and sharing of ideas and support came out of their meeting. While in Fairbanks the group offered a day-long workshop in...
