Episcopal Press and News
Council Attendees Speak to Needs of Indian Episcopalians
Diocesan Press Service. February 13, 1969 [74-11]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- What do Indian Episcopalians expect from their Church? The answer came from four American Indians during the February meeting of the Church's Executive Council.
All speakers agreed with Vine Deloria, Jr., a member of the Council and a Standing Rock Sioux, that "the White Man's burden is finished." Indian Episcopalians, said Mr. Deloria, want to "be the Church, not a bunch of rag-tag persons being ministered to."
Self-determination is the aim of the Indian Episcopalian, yet, as the Rev. Ronald A. Campbell of Pine Ridge, S.D., stated, there are obstacles which must be overcome. He pointed out that the lack of income on reservations, poor family relations, and alcoholism are key factors in keeping the Indian from total self-determination.
The Church must meet these problems, Executive Council was told. Said the Rev. Mr. Campbell:
"If the clergyman cannot help, he (the communicant) will probably go to another denomination and receive the help he wants. This is a sure way of losing members."
The call for self-determination was reinforced by Mrs. Yvonne Warhole, a Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux, who spoke of the urban Indian. Approximately one-third (or 200,000) of all Indians live in cities, she told the Council.
Due to lack of education and unemployment or underemployment they have much difficulty in adjusting to urban life. There are bills for such things as gas and electricity, regular working hours, white shirts and ties -- all of which are unfamiliar to the Indian from the reservation.
The Church adds to this with pledges -- often just another burden -- English-language services, and expected dress.
All this leads the urban Indian to ask: "Is the Church aware of the urban Indian? If not, why not?"
The Indian, she explained, expects religion to permeate all of life. On the reservation the Church is used for community gatherings as well as for Church services.
She suggested, therefore, that the Church could help the urban Indian by using Indian clergy in urban areas, establishing newcomer centers in cities, and having orientation classes in reservation areas for those moving to the cities. To accomplish this, she suggested that a special unit be established to consider these questions, research be conducted and support given to Indian organizations.
The Rev. Wilbur Bearsheart, of Porcupine, S.D., asked the Council simply to "Give us back our leaders."
He said that from 1920 to 1940 there were 50 Dakota clergymen in the field, but today there are only six.
"Where there is an Indian clergyman the Church is strong," he asserted.
