American Indian, Alaska Native Lutherans Build Community

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- More than 90 American Indian and Alaska Native members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) gathered July 16-21 to build community, learn from one another and "have fun" at the American Indian and Alaska Native Family Summer Camp at the NE-SO-DAK Bible Camp, Waubay, S.D. Participants also took part July 20 in the biennial meeting of the American Indian and Alaska Native Association of the ELCA.
"The purpose of the camp was to promote leadership opportunities and build community," said Marilyn M. Sorenson-Bush, director for American Indian and Alaska Native ministries, ELCA Commission for Multicultural Ministries. She is a tribal member of the Sisseton- Wahpeton Dakota Nation.
"The value of building community is to provide the assurance that we are not alone in all that we do. We come together to support each other," she said.
At the family summer camp, participants engaged in Bible study, craft activities, language class, worship and workshops. Mary Renville, social worker, Child Protective Services of Hennepin County, Minn., led a workshop on the rights of American Indian children.
Participants learned that, before 1978, 25 to 35 percent of Native American children were removed from their families. About 90 percent of those children were placed in non-native homes, according to Child Protective Services of Hennepin County.
In Chicago, there are more than 150 Native American children in the custody of the Department for Children and Family Services. Only 21 licensed Native American foster parents are available to care for them, according to the Native American Foster Parent Association, Chicago.
Representatives of the American Diabetic Association led a workshop on diabetes. Some participants had their blood sugar levels tested.
In other activities, participants engaged in community building projects such as stitching a "Star Quilt." The quilt was given to the Rev. Stuart Davis, chaplain, Native Hospital, Anchorage, Alaska.
"Other community building projects centered on the craft table doing bead work and designing t-shirts," said Sorenson-Bush. Another highlight of the family summer camp included catching more than 70 fish for a fish fry.
At the biennial meeting of the American Indian and Alaska Native Association of the ELCA, members of the association elected Larry Thiele, a tribal member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation, Sisseton, S.D., president of the association.
"I am always willing to listen, learn and treat people with respect and kindness," Thiele told members of the association. "I am looking forward to visiting our ministries, breaking bread, and hearing stories of faith in action."
During his four-year term, Thiele said he will work to strengthen communication among members of the association and connect ministries; increase Native American leadership in the church; develop an endowment program; create new American Indian and Alaska Native ministries; develop and nurture congregations and communities; and secure accountability among members.
Thiele is prevention coordinator and manager for the Spirit Lake Tribe Youth Healing and Wellness Center, Ft. Totten, N.D. Thiele and his wife, Darla, are parents of three daughters.
Jenny Lightfoot, Burnsville, Minn., a tribal member of the Ojibway Nation, was elected vice president; Lucy Kjar, West Fargo, N.D., a tribal member of the Nebraska Winnebago Nation, was elected secretary; and Eleanor Johnson, Wittenberg, Wis., a tribal member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, was elected treasurer.
The American Indian and Alaska Native Family Summer Camp was funded in part by grants from Aid Association for Lutherans, a fraternal benefits organization based in Appleton, Wis., and Lutheran Brotherhood, a fraternal benefits organization based in Minneapolis.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html