Latest News
Minnesota Native American Ministry Goes on a Pilgrimage!
On Thursday, October 6, 2022, a group of 25 United Methodists from across the Minnesota Annual Conference went on a pilgrimage to the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Reservation in Onamia, Minnesota. The Minnesota Annual Conference Committee on Native American Ministry coordinated the pilgrimage and the Minnesota Annual Conference Social Justice Organizer, Dana Neuhauser.
Read more. |
NAIC Applauds Indigenous Peoples Day The Native American International Caucus (NAIC) applauds the celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day on October 10, 2022 and President Biden’s proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day as a federal holiday for the first time starting in 2021. At this time many states and cities have joined in this recognition, but it has yet to be approved as a national holiday by Congress through House Bill 5473 and Senate Bill 2919, still under consideration. This year, we call on all members of Congress to publicly recognize Native people’s human dignity and sacred worth by voting to approve Indigenous Peoples Day as a time to celebrate our culture, affirm our human rights as sovereign tribal nations, and continue the work of repairing the damaging legacy of colonialism and racism. We ask every United Methodist Agency and Board to prominently promote this effort with their networks and every UMC congregational member to contact their congressional representatives to advocate for this legislation now. Read this letter in its entirety here. |
Marilynn 'Lynn" Malerba. Photo: Jessica Hill/AP
Biden Appoints Mohegan Tribal Chief as Nation's First Native American U.S. Treasury Secretary
The White House on Tuesday June 21, 2022 announced President Joe Biden's intent to appoint Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba as his administration establishes an Office of Tribal and Native Affairs at the Treasury Department, which will be overseen by the U.S. treasurer.
Malerba, who is the lifetime chief of the Mohegan Indian Tribe, previously worked as a registered nurse, according to the tribe's website, and has served in various tribal government roles. The tribe's reservation is located on the Thames River in Uncasville, Connecticut.
“With this announcement, we are making an even deeper commitment to Indian Country,” Yellen said in prepared remarks to be delivered at the Rosebud Sioux reservation. “Chief Malerba will expand our unique relationship with tribal nations, continuing our joint efforts to support the development of tribal economies and economic opportunities for tribal citizens.”
The White House on Tuesday June 21, 2022 announced President Joe Biden's intent to appoint Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba as his administration establishes an Office of Tribal and Native Affairs at the Treasury Department, which will be overseen by the U.S. treasurer.
Malerba, who is the lifetime chief of the Mohegan Indian Tribe, previously worked as a registered nurse, according to the tribe's website, and has served in various tribal government roles. The tribe's reservation is located on the Thames River in Uncasville, Connecticut.
“With this announcement, we are making an even deeper commitment to Indian Country,” Yellen said in prepared remarks to be delivered at the Rosebud Sioux reservation. “Chief Malerba will expand our unique relationship with tribal nations, continuing our joint efforts to support the development of tribal economies and economic opportunities for tribal citizens.”
Deborah Parker, CEO of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.
Photo: House Committee on Natural Resources, Democrats
NAIC Supports Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies
Jesus once said, "The truth will set you free." It is the truth, this release from the bondage that has strangled our people and their opportunity to thrive for generations, that we are hoping to achieve with the passage of H.R. 5444: Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act.
Read more of this letter written on June 7, 2022.
Jesus once said, "The truth will set you free." It is the truth, this release from the bondage that has strangled our people and their opportunity to thrive for generations, that we are hoping to achieve with the passage of H.R. 5444: Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act.
Read more of this letter written on June 7, 2022.
White House MMIP Awareness Proclamation
On May 4th, 2022 U.S. President Joseph R. Biden issued a proclamation on Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons that made May 5th "Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Day" in the United States. This proclamation by the White House is a huge step forward in bringing this issue to the forefront where it rightfully belongs. To view or read the White House Proclamation, please click below:
White House Proclamation on Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons
On May 4th, 2022 U.S. President Joseph R. Biden issued a proclamation on Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons that made May 5th "Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Day" in the United States. This proclamation by the White House is a huge step forward in bringing this issue to the forefront where it rightfully belongs. To view or read the White House Proclamation, please click below:
White House Proclamation on Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons
Source: Deb Haaland's Twitter
Report on federal Indian boarding schools
The Interior Department is on the verge of releasing a report on its investigation into the federal government’s past oversight of Native American boarding schools.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Laguna Pueblo, told journalists during a March call that the report will come out in April but didn't specify a date. She first outlined the initiative last June, saying it would uncover the truth about the loss of life and the lasting consequences of boarding schools.
The work on boarding schools will include compiling and reviewing records to identify past schools, locate known and possible burial sites at or near those schools, and uncover the names and tribal affiliations of students, Haaland said.
It is unclear, however, how much information will actually be included in the report.
Read the Full Article by Mary Annette Pember in "Indian County Today" HERE
The Interior Department is on the verge of releasing a report on its investigation into the federal government’s past oversight of Native American boarding schools.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Laguna Pueblo, told journalists during a March call that the report will come out in April but didn't specify a date. She first outlined the initiative last June, saying it would uncover the truth about the loss of life and the lasting consequences of boarding schools.
The work on boarding schools will include compiling and reviewing records to identify past schools, locate known and possible burial sites at or near those schools, and uncover the names and tribal affiliations of students, Haaland said.
It is unclear, however, how much information will actually be included in the report.
Read the Full Article by Mary Annette Pember in "Indian County Today" HERE
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness
May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). The Native American International Caucus encourages you to bring awareness through events and education.
Throughout May, we will honor and remember all missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We will gather to pray for those missing and their families. May 5 is also known as Red Dress Day. Wear a red dress or red shirt to raise awareness. Take Action! See our MMIW Resource Page for Ideas, and Downloadable materials for promotion and worship.
Keep watching….more is being added.
Consider Mothers Day as a time to remember MMIW in your worship gatherings.
A Liturgy for the day can be found here.
Please also consider following and/or liking our MMIW Awareness Facebook page here:
MMIW Awareness Facebook
A Dance for Ukraine
HeadLady Dancer of Nanticoke Tribe held a Healing/Prayer Dance for Ukraine and the Indigenous Relatives, Adrienne Harmon (Purple Outfit) and her niece, Cheyenne Wright.
NAIC Standing in Solidarity with Ukraine
We are distraught at the recent events in Ukraine. We, the First People of North America stand in solidarity with the indigenous people of the Ukraine as they once again face reprehensible acts of violence from their neighbor Russia and its disregard and denial of their right to sovereign governance. As indigenous people, we understand and denounce all acts of imperialistic expansionism as time and again, native people are those who suffer most desperately from the loss of life, livelihood and land.
Today, we stand with the indigenous people of the Ukraine known as Crimean Tatars, Karaims and Krymchaks. We particularly stand in support of our Ukrainian relatives who have a long and honorable history in North America of standing in solidarity with us, as celebrated in the Native story below.
Read our Full Letter Here
We are distraught at the recent events in Ukraine. We, the First People of North America stand in solidarity with the indigenous people of the Ukraine as they once again face reprehensible acts of violence from their neighbor Russia and its disregard and denial of their right to sovereign governance. As indigenous people, we understand and denounce all acts of imperialistic expansionism as time and again, native people are those who suffer most desperately from the loss of life, livelihood and land.
Today, we stand with the indigenous people of the Ukraine known as Crimean Tatars, Karaims and Krymchaks. We particularly stand in support of our Ukrainian relatives who have a long and honorable history in North America of standing in solidarity with us, as celebrated in the Native story below.
Read our Full Letter Here