GCCUIC

Saying the right words at the appropriate time  and place is important, but —to paraphrase James—words without actions are also dead.

Deeds give substance to what we say.

We Have Heard from Native/Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines, Norway, and the United States

• Listen to us!
• We are invisible because of our small and scattered demographics.  We are voiceless because you do not listen.  We are speaking, but you do not hear.
• Know your history----and tell it accurately.
• The atrocities and injustices of the past live on in the historic trauma of today.
• Your guilt does not help us.   Your partnership and advocacy does.
• Words mean nothing if not followed by action.
• Become partners with us in our political issues.
• The sins of omission are just as egregious as the sins of commission.
• We are not all alike.  We do not always agree.  There is great diversity of gifts, culture, perspective and identity among indigenous people.
• Repentance is a process—not a program!
• We are not victims.
• We want to walk into a new future with you, not led by you.
• We are not sure the Act of Repentance will help.  The church has broken promises and participated in the failure of the government to keep its promises.
• You (the church) need healing also.
• We have rich cultures and spiritual treasures that we might share with you if we come to trust you.
• Build relationships with us on a personal level.  This takes time and honesty.
  

Healing Relationships in Your Annual or Central Conference
What can you do?

• Meet and establish relationships with native and/or indigenous people in your community and conference
• Learn the history of relationships with the indigenous population and The United Methodist Church’s role in the history of expansion in that area
• Listen to indigenous persons to learn the current issues of the indigenous or native communities in your conference
• Do the appropriate study to prepare for an Act of Repentance and Healing in your conference
• Commit to host an Act of Repentance and Healing in your conference
• If you have already held an Act of Repentance in your conference, develop concrete steps to follow up
• Develop relationships by partnering congregations with indigenous congregations in your conference
• Support Native Ministries Sunday and indigenous and native ministries in your conference
• Support committees on Native American and indigenous ministries
• Establish committees of support in partnership with indigenous people
• Promote the United Nations Resolution on Indigenous Rights
• Participate in efforts to support sacred sites or land within your conference
• Support efforts to repatriate ancestral remains
• Develop relationships with indigenous communities outside your conference whose ancestors were removed from their lands within your conference
• Develop a statement that demonstrates  respect for the diversity of indigenous ministries

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