Native American Ministries Newsletter

An Elder's Reflection

A few weeks ago I had a wonderful dream. I had been thinking about my sermon for All Saints and that is reflected in the dream. My husband Jim and I were walking along a path which wound around a hill moving upward at an easy climb. We could see mountains in the distance and, looking behind and below us, we could see many people including our children on the path. As we climbed we came to a beautiful field of flowers. They were so profuse that they covered the path which we left to walk through the field. As we walked I remembered the first line of an old song and turned to ask Jim if he remembered it. With that question on my mind I awoke and asked him. “Jim, do you remember an old song that began—‘Accentuate the Positive?’” He answered: “Eliminate the Negative and Don’t Mess with Mr. In Between.”

We are all on a path moving upward, becoming a new creation, becoming saints of God. Some of us are getting closer because we are closer to our worldly death, our birth into eternal life. Others have more of the path to travel. All of us can focus on the positive aspects of life, eliminate the negative ones and forget everything in between.

From our Young People

There is a need for young adults in Native Ministry and the sound of our voice has been long awaited. Our grand- parents took the first step to preserve our culture, land, heritage, and language. I believe we owe it to them to be responsible to carry out their dreams. I am 25 years old, and a member of The Navajo Nation. I am of One who walks around, born for the Salt People, my Maternal Grandfather is Edge Water, and My Paternal Grandfather is of the Mud People. I am honored to share my story with you and hope it shines some light on who I am as a young adult and as a young Native woman.

'Called to Serve' addresses urban, rural poverty connections, church as community anchor: Read More

The Episcopal Church partners with White Bison, Inc. to address the root causes of domestic poverty for alleviation in Native American communities: Read More

News from Niobrara: Read More

A Tale from the Dakota's

“Back in the day” as the saying goes there wasn’t a line drawn between the Dakotas. Statehood and recognition of dioceses divided the ministry among Native people in the south from the Native people in the north. It didn’t just divide the Great Lakota-Dakota Nation; it also divided Native Episcopalians who were L/Dakota, Arikara and Ojibwa.

New Playground at Oakerhater Episcopal Center: Read More

Philip Allen remembered for groundbreaking Native American ministry: Read More

News from Mountains and Deserts: Read More

Hozhoni -- Together We Walk in Beauty, Spirit Journey Youth

“Could I bless the van the Navajo way before we leave on our trip?” inquired a young Navajo youth. During this ceremony, our breathing slowed as we shared the recognition that our traditions are converging. Our repeated assertion that there is “only one God with many doors” is bearing fruit.

Rev. Canon David Bailey Elected as Bishop of Navajoland: Read More

New Navajoland Focus Newsletter: Download PDF here

Indigenous Oji-Cree Archdeacon Lydia Mamakwa elected first area bishop: Read More

Canadian elected as secretary general of the Anglican Indigenous Network: Read More

Missioner's Report

As I prepare to attend Oklahoma IV 2010, I reflect on my one-year anniversary as Missioner for Native American/Indigenous Ministry. This has definitely been a year of triumphs for Native Ministry and I cannot wait to see what dreams are accomplished in the next year.

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Report from Winter Talk XXV

The annual Winter Talk XXV, held at the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation and hosted more than 90 Native American/Indigenous Episcopalians from across the country, focused on addressing Domestic Poverty and Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) education.

The Oklahoma Consultations

Along time ago I was invited to attend the Oklahoma II consultation on Indian Ministry. It was providential as I had just recently returned to the Church of Good Shepherd, Onondaga Nation in Upstate New York. I had been on a spiritual quest for a number of years, struggling with where I fitted best as a young Mohawk woman. The Vestry needed someone to attend this meeting and they all looked at me because I had job flexibility. I agreed to go and had no idea of what to expect.

'Oklahoma IV' consultation is topic of May 30 bulletin inserts: Read More

Donald Fox Resigns from the Indigenous Theological Training Institute

With regret, the Board of Directors of the Indigenous Theological Training Institute announces the resignation of Donald Fox as the Executive Director; effective April 15, 2010. Donald has served as the Executive Director for many years and we are sure that he will continue to serve Indigenous people in some capacity. We are thankful for Donald’s ministry and wish him the best in his new calling.

In the meantime, Amanda Norman will be the point of contact for ITTI. Amanda is typically available Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 am - 2:00 pm and on Friday. 10 am - 1 pm. In addition Amanda can be available any day by appointment. Appointments can be made via phone 1-800-818-0466 or email to ittiadm@aol.com. The Board of Director’s will be meeting during Oklahoma IV to begin planning for a new director. Thank you for your patience during this time of transition.

Dancing With the Spirit: Passing On Music to Youth

Music can bring success and hope to villages struggling with alcoholism, drugs, and suicide. The Rev. Trimble Gilbert from Arctic Village comments, “In the old days, we fought tribal wars with arrowheads. It’s a different type of war now—against drugs and alcohol. I believe we can win with music.” Dancing with the Spirit is a project to prevent suicide, drug and alcohol abuse by connecting youth and elders through music. The program has begun with ten villages in Alaska.

Inupiaq Ordinations

Two Inupiaq (Eskimo) women, Carrie Oktollik of Point Hope and Shirley Lee of Evansville/Fairbanks, were ordained to the diaconate on Feb. 13, 2010. The ordinations were held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Point Hope, Alaska with The Bishop Mark MacDonald officiating.

Click here for picture

UNCSW Experience

I recently attended the United Nations, as an Episcopal Young Adult Delegate attending their Council on the Status of Women. This was an honor, and a privilege. I am a young, native Hawaiian woman, and I often thought my world would not get bigger than Hawaii. I bear witness to so many other young Hawaiians who don’t get off the rock, who are unaware of the larger world.

One Hundred Years, One Room

By Emily Cherry

At the 100th anniversary of the one-room schoolhouse on the Pamunkey Reservation adjacent to King William County, friends and tribe-members joined together for a time of remembering, honoring and celebrating. The school opened in 1909 and operated as the primary school for children on the reservation until 1948, when it closed due to a dwindling attendance. The school turned into a trading post at that time, and students merged with the nearby Mattaponi School.

Recently, the Pamunkey Tribe decided to renovate the existing historic school building, and Diocese of Virginia churches decided they wanted to help. “This ministry is important because it offers us the opportunity to get to know our Native American brothers and sisters as people, not stereotypes,” said Jean Mary Taylor, co-coordinator for Native American ministries in the Diocese and a parishioner at Calvary, Front Royal. “When you take the time to pay attention to people, preconceived ideas begin to break down, and you see everyone as children of God and therefore part of the family.”