Facing Our Past: Churches Take Responsibility for Indian Boarding School Harm

November is Native American Heritage Month—a time for learning, honoring, and reflecting on the rich contributions of Indigenous communities. This month, ELCA’s Racial Justice Ministries is spotlighting events that call us toward truth and healing. Join online discussions on church accountability for Indian boarding schools, reflect on Vine Deloria Jr.’s work at the Theological Symposium, and, for those able, participate in the National Day of Mourning in Plymouth, Mass., to stand with Indigenous communities. Learn more about how we can walk together toward justice and understanding.

Truth, Healing, and Reflection: Indigenous Heritage Month in the ELCA

November is Native American Heritage Month—a time for learning, honoring, and reflecting on the rich contributions of Indigenous communities. This month, ELCA’s Racial Justice Ministries is spotlighting events that call us toward truth and healing. Join online discussions on church accountability for Indian boarding schools, reflect on Vine Deloria Jr.’s work at the Theological Symposium, and, for those able, participate in the National Day of Mourning in Plymouth, Mass., to stand with Indigenous communities. Learn more about how we can walk together toward justice and understanding.

News, ELCABrian FlatgardNovember 4, 2024Racial Justice, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries, American Indian and Alaska NativeComment

Lutheran Culture Through Indigenous Eyes: A Call for Genuine Inclusion

In her compelling reflection in Women of the ELCA’s Café blog post, Wanda Frenchman shares her journey from a non-Christian Indigenous upbringing to embracing Lutheran faith. Raised in a Lakota household, she highlights the significance of community, food, and genuine welcome in her transition to Grace Lutheran Church.

As a leader in Native American Urban Ministry, Wanda emphasizes the need for authentic inclusion in the church, encouraging congregations to embrace newcomers’ diverse traditions and identities. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the love of Christ and the importance of welcoming all people into our faith communities.

Healing Through Truth: ELCA’s Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations

The ELCA’s Truth & Healing Movement calls for the church to confront its colonizing past and move toward healing. With support from the Association of American Indians and Alaska Natives of the ELCA, this movement focuses on advocacy, cultural learning, and spiritual reconciliation. Discover how you can get involved in this important journey of faith and justice at ELCA.org/indigenous.

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Lifting Up Native American Ministries in Our Synod

In celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Grand Canyon Synod lifts up Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix and the Navajo Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ. Both ministries serve as powerful examples of faith and service, providing spiritual and material support to Native American communities. We honor their efforts and the Indigenous people whose land we now inhabit.

Wearing Orange In Remembrance of Indian Boarding Schools

On September 30, the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools invites us to honor Indigenous survivors and their families. Wearing orange is a powerful symbol of solidarity with those affected by the trauma of forced assimilation. Learn how you can participate and engage with the ELCA’s ongoing Truth and Healing initiatives in this post from Wanda K. Frenchman, vicar for Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix.

ELCA's Truth Seeking and Truth Telling Initiative on Indian Boarding Schools

Watch a Zoom webinar from ELCA's Truth Seeking and Truth Telling Initiative on Indian Boarding Schools, available on YouTube.

ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Report

Join Vance Blackfox, Justice Nichols, and Wanda Frenchman for a video update on ELCA Indigenous Ministries.

Wanda K. Frenchman: Strength and dignity are her calling

In a recent blog post for the Women of the ELCA, seminarian Wanda K. Frenchman reflects on what she learned about God and ministry from her mother.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) day of recognition is May 5, 2024

The ELCA is encouraging congregations and individuals to learn more about the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW). Visit ELCA.org/MMIW for a full list of resources to educate yourself and your community and plan a recognition of May 5, MMIW day. We also share info from ELCA Racial Justice’s latest blog post.

ELCA, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMay 2, 2024MMIW, American Indian and Alaska NativeComment

Embrace Respectful Recognition: Join Wartburg's Land Acknowledgement Workshop

Discover how to create and live out a meaningful land acknowledgement in your congregation with Wartburg College's Land Acknowledgement Workshop on April 22. Gain insights, resources, and inspiration to honor the history and people of the land. View this PDF for more info and use this link to connect via Zoom.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardApril 17, 2024American Indian and Alaska Native, Wartburg SeminaryComment

NAUM Secures $10,000 Grant to Enrich Native American Community in Phoenix

The Native American Urban Ministry (NAUM) has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Cook Native American Ministries Foundation for 2024. This grant will support the expansion of NAUM's "Living Our Values Everyday" (LOVE) Project, aimed at fostering personal development, leadership skills, and community service among Native American youth, adults, and elders in Phoenix.

Vance Blackfox: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Lenten message

This Lenten season, the ELCA is encouraging congregations and individuals to learn more about the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW). Visit ELCA.org/MMIW for a full list of resources to educate yourself and your community and plan a recognition of May 5, MMIW day.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardFebruary 13, 2024MMIW, American Indian and Alaska NativeComment

Theological Education for Indigenous Leaders program launches

Centuries after colonial models of education were first forced on Indigenous people in North America, their effects are still keenly felt. Western theological education has remained the default methodology within the church, including the ELCA. This fall, Native leaders from across the ELCA, in partnership with leaders from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) of California Lutheran University in Berkeley, are seeking to change that with the launch of the Theological Education for Indigenous Leaders (TEIL) program. Read more at Living Lutheran.

Land Acknowledgement and Land Back Movement

The ELCA is dedicated to honoring Mother Earth and Indigenous peoples through land acknowledgments and supporting the land back movement. A new class led by Vance Blackfox delves into the history, purpose, and implementation of land acknowledgments, as well as exploring the land back movement and reparations as part of its commitment to restorative justice practices.

Tribal Sovereignty Takes Center Stage at the Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium

On November 13-15, 2023, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) hosts its annual Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium, a virtual event dedicated to the vital discourse on tribal sovereignty. Named in honor of Vine Deloria Jr., a pivotal figure in the American Indian Movement, the symposium is a testament to his enduring legacy in the fight for Indigenous rights. Read more at ELCA.org.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 8, 2023American Indian and Alaska Native, Racial JusticeComment

Honoring Indigenous Peoples and Alaska Natives in November

In the United States, November is Native American Heritage Month. Racial Justice Ministries would like to elevate the voices and work of our Indigenous siblings by bringing attention to the multitude of events by the ELCA’s Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations. A full list of offerings for this month can be found here, but there are two events that ELCA Racial Justice Ministries would especially like to highlight: the Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium on 11/13/2023 and the 11/23/2023 Day of Mourning. Read more here.

ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardNovember 6, 2023American Indian and Alaska Native, ELCA Racial Justice Ministries, Racial JusticeComment

The ELCA's Truth Seeking and Truth Telling Initiative: A Panel Discussion

We share a panel discussion on the ELCA's Truth Seeking and Truth Telling Initiative, led by Vance Blackfox, with Jessica Crist, Susan Green, and Caleb Rollins.

Bishop Eaton: Indigenous Peoples' Day 2023

In this video, Bishop Eaton addresses Indigenous Peoples' Day, October 9, 2023.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardOctober 6, 2023Bishop Eaton Letters, American Indian and Alaska NativeComment

Bishop Eaton's National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools message

Saturday, September 30, 2023, is the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools. In her video, Bishop Eaton reminds us that this church is committed to understanding our role in the tragic and sinful history of Indian boarding schools so that we can begin to heal together. Visit ELCA.org/IndianBoardingSchools to learn more.

You can participate by wearing an orange shirt and posting a photo of yourself, members of your congregation or community on social media. #ELCA #TruthAndHealing #DayOfRemembrance.

Bishop Eaton, ELCA, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardSeptember 29, 2023Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Bishop Eaton Letters, American Indian and Alaska NativeComment

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