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Indian/Alaskan Native Curriculum Planned

Episcopal News Service. July 26, 1984 [84151]

NEW YORK (DPS, July 26) -- "When I looked in the Bible, I saw that it was my story, too." Those words, spoken by an American Indian woman, summarize the idea behind a Christian education curriculum being planned for Indian/Alaskan Native children. The project, which incorporates selected native stories, songs, traditions, symbols and art, is currently being developed by a group called the Dakota Alliance for Curriculum Development.

A partner in their work is the Children's Ministry Office in the Education for Mission and Ministry division at the Episcopal Church Center, and a grant of $50,000 by the Church's Executive Council has helped provide funds.

Begun two years ago by the South Dakota Christian Education Task Force and the Dakota Leadership Program, the project now has a broad-based advisory board of men and women, clergy and laity, young and old, Canadians and Americans working in covenant with one another. Among the other groups involved are: the National Committee on Indian Work, Niobara Council, Navajoland Diocesan Council, Wyoming Missions, Oklahoma Committee on Indian Work, Alaska networks, Minnesota Committee on Indian Work, and representatives of the Anglican Church of Canada.

According to Judith Carlson, coordinator for ministries with children at the Episcopal Church Center, "There has been a dearth of Christian education material suitable for use with Indian children due to use of symbolism, imagery, etc. from non-Indian culture. That's why this is so unique." Alan Sanborn, staff officer for the National Committee on Indian Work at the Church Center, agrees: "This is a valuable and needed resource. Its mobility is especially important."

The Alliance's plan calls for 52 reusable posters with lesson material printed on the back. They will tell the essentials of the Christian story, with carefully selected Native material to complement it. The posters will be designed so as to be suitable for use with children of many ages and in congregations of varying sizes. They will also serve as a resource for non-Indians seeking to understand the richness of Indian tradition. All art will be done by Native people.

Material will be collected and interpreted by the Alliance, with the help of the National Committee on Indian Work, from a wide variety of Indian/Alaskan Native groups and shaped by writer/consultants and the Children's Ministries Office. Work is being coordinated by the Rev. Steven Charleston, an Alliance member, Episcopal priest, and Choctaw Indian. At every stage materials will be checked with the originating groups for accuracy. Each group will have final approval of the material selected from its tradition.

While what is being sought is living tradition, not data from secondary sources, it is being used in a Christian context. Traditions will be lifted up but, says Carlson, "This is not a social studies curriculum." Among the purposes listed in a statement from the Alliance are: "To provide Native children with the best possible Christian education, strengthening their sense of pride in who they are, and who they can become," and "To give Christian educators the tools they need to carry out their ministry within the Native community."

A completion date for the curriculum has not yet been set by the Alliance. Citing the wealth of material and communal working philosophy, their information sheet says, "Our way of doing things (by checking with local people before we rush ahead) takes more time. But we believe that it will be worth it."