Council to Consider American Indian Ministry
Diocesan Press Service. December 16, 1968 [72-9]
GREENWICH, CONN. -- What is the Episcopal Church doing among American Indians? What should it be doing?
These questions will be before the Church's Executive Council when it meets again in February as a result of action taken at the Council's December meeting at Seabury House. It has asked for a special presentation on the Episcopal Church's mission to American Indians to be made by Indians.
The Council also adopted a resolution calling upon the Council staff to include in the proposed 1969 Program and Budget items for a conference of American Indian and Eskimo clergy and key laity to explore mutual concerns and design an ongoing program for work in the field of Indian affairs, for the establishment and operation of a National Advisory Committee of American Indian Churchmen and for a program to meet the urgent need of an indigenous ministry, ordained and lay, among Indians and Eskimos.
The resolutions were adopted in response to a letter sent to the Presiding Bishop, the Rt. Rev. John E. Hines, by Indian clergy and laity calling for increased participation by the Episcopal Church in Indian affairs and for increased self-determination.
The letter cited the former leadership of the Episcopal Church among groups fighting for Indian rights and stated that "in 1968 questions have arisen all over Indian country as to the commitment of the Episcopal Church in the field of Indian affairs."
"Whatever happened," people say, "to the Episcopal Church?" the letter asked.
It called for the establishment of an Indian desk to coordinate all work done by Council staff in relation to Indian communities, for a National Advisory Committee of American Indian Churchmen to work with the Council and staff to prepare for a conference of Indian and Eskimo clergy and laity and to prepare an ongoing Indian program to be submitted to the Special General Convention in September, 1969, and to future General Conventions.
Also asked was the appointment, in consultation with Indians, of a pastor-at- large to minister to the Indian peoples, and aid for those Indian communities, largely east of the Mississippi, which are not eligible for federal service nor, presently included in the work of the Episcopal Church.
When grants are made to dioceses to finance work among Indians the letter asked that the Diocese be required to give evidence of joint planning with Indian people, Indian participation in the direction and administration of Church programs and provision for the development of Indian leadership.
Also recommended was the inclusion of Indians on all decision-making bodies, increased clergy recruitment among Indians and the inclusion of Indians in those bodies making decisions on personnel to serve Indians.