National Indian Day of Prayer Set
Diocesan Press Service. May 20, 1971 [93-12]
GREENWICH, Conn. -- The Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, meeting here May 18-20, voted to declare June 21, 1971, a National Indian Day of Prayer.
The request that the day of prayer be set came from the National Committee on Indian Work (NCIW).
According to the Rev. George Smith, chairman of the NCIW, this day has traditionally been regarded by most tribes of North America as sacred.
The Indian Ecumenical Conference is asking Christian denominations in both Canada and the United States to recognize the day. The Indian Ecumenical Conference is a new development among North American Indians in which native religious leaders of both Christian and aboriginal religions are working together to overcome a long history of religious divisiveness among Indian communities.
The Episcopal Church joins the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada in setting June 21 as a day of prayer.
The Executive Council resolution calls on "all dioceses to commend this day to parishes and congregations throughout the United States." The NCIW will provide an appropriate prayer to the dioceses.
In other action, the Executive Council approved a charter for the National Committee on Indian Work. The charter outlines the NCIW's purposes, membership, committee operations, procedures and process of reporting.