Native American Ministries Newsletter - Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

An Elder's Reflection

We have heard Jesus say: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2). Indeed one of our needs in this diocese is to recruit fellow laborers to work with us in the plentiful harvest fields of North Dakota. Jesus says in another place: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matt. 18:20). You see it doesn’t take very many laborers to make a difference. For the quality of the worker, not the quantity, is the issue.

A number of us have been involved in training known as Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). One of my takeaways from this training has been its focus on “opinion vs. motivation to act.” All of us have many opinions about a number of things, but not all these opinions are equal. Some of them are passions that actually motivate individuals to act rather than merely talk about an issue. ABCD asks the question: Is that only an opinion, or is it a passion on which you are willing to act? Two or three people with passion, ABCD teaches, are enough to make a difference. In Biblical language two or three disciples or two or three laborers are enough to make a difference in the world in which we find ourselves.

For Our Young People -- Episcopal Youth Event 2011

High-school-age Native youth are encouraged to attend the June 22-26, 2011 Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) to be held at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. The event began in 1982 and was acknowledged in the 67th General Convention as an international event in which “… the energy of the youth of the Episcopal Church can continue to be utilized in active ministry as members of this part of the body of Christ.”

The Episcopal Youth Event is open to youth grades 9-12 and their adult sponsors in all the 109 dioceses and three regional areas of The Episcopal Church. Up to 32 youth participants and eight adult participants are allowed from each diocese. Dioceses need to provide and arrange their own transportation and expenses for traveling to and from Minnesota.

Following the three day event, the Diocese of Minnesota will offer “Three Days of Mission” from June 27-30. Youth groups will have the opportunity to work as volunteers either in a rural setting or in an urban mission. Bethel University offers breakfast and lodging at $20 per person for groups remaining on campus for the mission portion of the gathering.

White Bison/Asset-Based Community Development Talking Points

In recognizing that Native Americans are the oldest constituency still facing many issues related to poverty, the Episcopal Church is working at provincial and local levels to help provide training and resources. Work has already begun by developing partnerships with White Bison, Inc. and Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD).

Native Ministry in the Plains

Native Ministry in the Plains has been going very strong. Collaboration between Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota has been fruitful.

It's Working!

In our small churches on the White Earth Reservation, Christian education for our children has been a tremendous challenge.

Episcopalians Continue to Fight Doctrine of Discovery: Read More >>

Province VIII Winter Talk

January 7-9, 2011, in Reno, Nevada

Healing Intergenerational Trauma -- White Bison Resolution Passes in Navajoland: Read More >>

First Nations Committee in the Diocese of Olympia: Read More >>

Report from the Anglican Indigenous Network

Members of the Anglican Indigenous Network (AIN) still struggle to gain understanding and action on issues of recognition, and equity pf power and resources as we claim our place in our respective provinces.

It has been a wonderful summer and fall for Native American/Indigenous Ministry. I have been honored to visit many congregations and camps this summer including Church of the Good Shepherd, Fort Hall, Idaho; Niobrara Convocation, Sisseton, South Dakota; Thunderhead Episcopal Camp, Lead, South Dakota; Camp Gabriel, Standing Rock, North Dakota; and Church of the Epiphany, Kivalina, Alaska. In these travels I have met many dedicated lay ministers and priests.

From the Assistant Editor: Read More >>

ITTI Executive Director Job Opening

Applications due December 1, 2010.

Download application information >>

UN Women Circle Campaign in Alaska

Native Alaskan women from villages and cities throughout Alaska along with non-Native women attended the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska Women’s Gathering outside Fairbanks where they experienced the UN Women Circle workshop. Together, they claimed their leadership as they agreed to be agents of change in stopping the many ills facing native Alaskans.

Good News!!! – Alaskan UN Women Circles: Read More >>

Power Within UN Women Circles

Claiming leadership as both Indigenous and non-Indigenous women is a significant step towards overcoming racism and sexism in their communities.

News from the Diocese of Virginia: Read More >>

East Coast Native Episcopalians Begin Networking

Native American Episcopal Church leaders in Provinces I-IV met in Harrison, New York, in late April to plan strategies for collaborative ministry ventures on the East Coast.

Report from Terry Star: Executive Council met in Salt Lake City, Utah, in October. The Standing Committee on Local Mission and Ministry (LMM) met via WebEx and Adobe Connect prior to the gathering in Utah. LMM reported its experience with the web conferencing tools to the Executive Council and shared some strategies and etiquette for using the software. Web conferencing is becoming an important tool for members of committees to meet and discuss business without having to fly participants to a central location. The stewardship of our financial resources is important, and the Native communities have been pioneers in the church by using WebEx for Red Digital Circle and Winter Talk design team meetings.

Thunderhead Episcopal Center, South Dakota: Watch video >>