On Indigenous People in the ELCA and Metro NY Synod
Nov 01, 2024
The Rev. Sarah Humphrey and The Rev. Dr. Justin Johnson
We confess that we have not listened to the stories of Indigenous people and have not taken the time to understand history. We have devalued Indigenous religions and lifeways and have not challenged the invisibility of Indigenous people in American society. We have treated American Indians and Alaska Natives as a “minority group” rather than as sovereign nations. We have not taken seriously the importance of land and how complicit we are in accepting the benefits of stolen land. We confess that in our church life we have failed to keep promises about funding and autonomy made at the inception of the ELCA. We confess that we have underfunded and over-interfered in the workings of Indigenous congregations and ministries. While we adopted the “Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery” in 2016, we have not yet taken action to live out the Repudiation.
A Declaration of the ELCA to the American Indian and the Native Alaskan 2021
These words open as a confession from the ELCA to the Native American and Indigenous people, both within the ELCA and tribal communities our congregations surround. In 2021, further discussions and promises to the Indigenous people of the ELCA were made when discussing “land back” initiatives by congregations and Synods, encouraging congregations to consider giving back to tribal communities, and learning from tribes or learning about tribes that sit on church lands.
As two Indigenous leaders in the Metro NY Synod, our emotions are heightened during this season, which is a time of mourning for those of us with Indigenous heritage. In Indigenous culture, sharing and understanding our origin stories are critical to who we are. Origin stories give meaning to existence, bond society, and affect how people live and relate to their environment. Our voices must be heard, so we call upon those of the Metro NY Synod to accompany us during this time and support our efforts at having those complex discussions within the many congregations of our Synod.
This September 30th was a day of remembrance for Indigenous people known as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. This day is observed in both the United States and Canada. It was a day to remember and acknowledge the Church’s role in Indian Boarding Schools and the death of several thousand tribal children. It was a missed opportunity for our Synod and the ELCA to voice their support to those of us who hold on to the trauma our ancestors endured.
We call on the Metro NY Synod to partner and commit to working with us during October and November to help highlight the long history of harm and discrimination against Indigenous People. In doing so, we aim not to give guilt, but to move us to a new place when it comes to advocacy and learning around Indigenous people, especially in NY, where there are multiple tribes and people. We want to shift to a new place that acknowledges the Indigenous leaders, not only in our Synod but across the U.S. and in Lutheran history.
For example, did you know an ELCA Indigenous Lutheran won the Julia Child Award in 2023? Did you know that Metro NY has the only Indigenous ELCA pastors in all of NYS? So often, the narrative told is that Indigenous People are of the past. Still, we are speaking out to say that Indigenous leaders and members of congregations are present and listening to how we talk and teach about important dates and issues when it comes to Indigenous history. As Kaitlin Curtice, a citizen of the Potawatomi Nation and an author and public speaker, writes, “We cannot take away the experiences of others, but we can learn from them. We can take them and say, what’s next to make the world better? What’s next in recognizing the sacredness of this place we’ve been given?”
As two Indigenous leaders of the ELCA, we want to take the above confession seriously and call upon our Church, Synod, congregations, and the Bishop’s office to change and grow regarding Indigenous people and history. What’s next to make the world better? What’s next in recognizing where we can grow and how we can learn together as the body of Christ?
If you want more information or to find videos about current Indigenous issues and how your congregation can participate in the conversation, you can access them
HERE. You can also talk with us, and we can share our experiences. We want to help advocate for Indigenous ELCA ministries.
In Christ,
The Rev. Sarah Humphrey and The Rev. Dr. Justin Johnson