Honoring Native American Heritage Month
 “Christianity without the living Christ is inevitably Christianity without discipleship, and Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
Kay WalkingStick (U.S., Cherokee, b. 1935), “Wallowa Memory,” 2003 Native American Heritage Month History, heritage, and identity are invaluable attributes of the human family. Native American Heritage Month is an annual reminder of the paramount importance of these enduring and essential elements of our collective experience. This month is also an opportunity to celebrate those whose origins are the oldest and most enduring of any place and culture. The Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute affirms the critical importance of appreciating, learning from, and honoring those nations, tribes, and people whose roots are the deepest in time and soil.
Here are some ways you can take action and support Native Americans this month and beyond:
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. They are offering virtual exhibits and special collections through November to honor Native Americans and educate those not in the community.  TDBI recognizes and affirms efforts in Canada that have also been working towards reconciliation and healing. The National Centre for Transformation and Reconciliation (NCTR) is a safe and secure space for the stories collected by Indigenous histories and communities. They educate Canadians on the profound injustices inflicted on First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation by the forced removal of children to attend residential schools and the widespread abuse suffered in those schools.  CSVANW was created by three Native women who provide support to other Native advocates working in domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and sex trafficking in New Mexico’s tribal communities. Their single goal: to eliminate violence against Native women and children.  “Native is about identity, soul-searching, and being on the never-ending journey of finding ourselves and finding God. As both a member of the Potawatomi Nation and a Christian, Kaitlin Curtice offers a unique perspective on these topics. In this book, she shows how reconnecting with her Native American roots both informs and challenges her Christian faith.”  Buy natural products from Haipazaza
Everything created is inspired by the creators’ Lakota/Dakota homelands. Their hot process soaps & herbal medicines are made with their traditional medicine plant relatives and are aligned with their indigenous values of generosity and reciprocity by offering a gift with every purchase made on their website. These make great gifts for the holiday season!
 The Indian Pueblo Store offers original, handcrafted artwork from New Mexico’s 19 Pueblo tribes. These talented artists feature both traditional and contemporary works, connecting you to the rich cultures of the Pueblo people and other Southwest tribes.
|
