Dr. Cavender Relieved of Indian Work Responsibilities
Diocesan Press Service. October 24, 1975 [75375]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Dr. Chris C. Cavender has been relieved of his responsibilities as Executive Secretary for Indian Work on the Episcopal Church Center staff, effective October 20, according to the Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
Bishop Allin said that Dr. Cavender, who began his work June 1, had not represented the native Americans "in the planning and budgeting process of the Church Center staff, " nor had his work been adequately coordinated with other programs of the Executive Council.
Dr. Cavender, who was also Executive Secretary of the National Committee on Indian Work (NCIW), maintained an office in Minneapolis as well as at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City on a six months trial basis.
Bishop Allin pointed out that Dr. Cavender had not indicated a willingness to share in staff responsibilities and relationships. He said that he did "not question Dr. Cavender's commitment to his people." The problem, he said, was "not one of application but of confusion about the job description. " He said that while Dr. Cavender's work among the Indians of the Northern Plains was good, he had "not been filling the job description of the Executive Secretary for Indian Work at the Church Center. "
"It is with regret and disappointment," Bishop Allin told Dr. Cavender, "that I must inform you and the NCIW that experience to date has convinced me that we cannot continue our present arrangements even until the first of the year. It is imperative that we have someone immediately in the Church Center who can represent the Indian people in the Church's efforts to coordinate and further develop the limited resources we have. "
On October 20 Bishop Allin met with Dr. Cavender, representatives of the NCIW, and others to discuss the Church program among Indian people. He invited the members of the NCIW and others to suggest nominations to him for filling Dr. Cavender's position, pointing out that it is the Presiding Bishop's responsibility to make the appointment.
NCIW members meeting with Bishop Allin and Dr. Cavender were: Mrs. Lillian Vallely, acting chairperson, Fort Hall, Ida. (Northwest Region) ; the Rev. Luke Titus, Fairbanks, Alaska (Alaska Region); Mr. James Crawford, Sisseton, S.D. (Northern Plains); and Mr. Thomas Jackson, Window Rock, Ariz. (Southwest Region). Also attending the meeting were Ms. Joan Bordman, San Francisco, Calif., Province VIII field consultant for Indian work; Dr. Howard Meredith, Norman, Okla., former Executive Secretary of the NCIW; and staff members, Mr. Larry Long and Ms. Dorothy C. Machida, both of New York City.