Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations

We walk alongside Indigenous peoples in truth, healing and partnership. Rooted in sacred traditions and community strength, Indigenous Lutherans embody deep spiritual wisdom and resilience within the ELCA and beyond.

Our ministry seeks to honor Indigenous leadership, confront the church’s colonial legacy and foster reconciliation through the Truth and Healing Movement. We listen to Indigenous voices and support relationships grounded in respect and justice.

We encourage congregations to offer meaningful land acknowledgments, engage local tribal nations, and support Indigenous-led ministries. Guided by faith and love, we work toward a future where truth brings healing and all creation flourishes.

As American Indian and Alaska Native members of the ELCA, created in God’s image and guided by the Holy Spirit, we are called to love and serve our neighbors while promoting healing and wholeness within ourselves, the church, society and creation. Rooted in Scripture, tradition and the Lutheran Confessions, our faith is strengthened by the vibrant histories and spiritual depth of Native communities. These roots sustain us as a resilient and ever-reforming church.

The American Indian and Alaska Native Lutheran Association of the ELCA advocates for the rights and dignity of all Indigenous peoples. We provide opportunities to learn about and celebrate Native heritage, deepen mutual understanding and affirm that many traditional Native spiritual practices are expressions of Christian faith. Through fellowship, leadership development and partnership with the wider ELCA, we serve faithfully in God’s mission to and with Native peoples—building unity, nurturing faith and honoring the sacred connections among all creation.