101 Primer for Working in Native American Ministry
Introduction:
As you embark on this important ministry with Native American communities, it's crucial to approach your work with deep respect, cultural sensitivity, and an understanding of the complex historical context. Native Americans have endured centuries of trauma, including forced relocation, cultural suppression, and systemic discrimination. The effects of this trauma continue to reverberate through generations. Your role is not to "fix" or "save" but to listen, support, and facilitate healing in ways that honor Native cultures and traditions.
Remember that each tribe and community has its unique history, customs, and needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Building trust will take time and require genuine commitment. Your presence should be one of humility, openness to learning, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about the past and present.
Here are some key points starting with advice: Let’s continue to learn more as we minister.
1. Do: Learn about the tribe(s) you'll be working with, including their history, traditions, and current challenges. Don’t assume all Native American cultures are the same, nor will experiences (successful or otherwise) that worked for one tribe/people necessarily work for another. You will need to develop a listening, compassionate spirit and a level of discernment that will be deep and profound. Reading their tribal website allows you to learn from their perspective.
2. Find out (often from a trusted elder) what the protocol is for requesting permission to serve/minister on their traditional land. Then follow that protocol. (You wouldn’t go to England to have an audience with the king without first finding out the proper protocol for approaching him). If your request is denied, graciously accept the “no.” Your humble respect for their decision can go a long way toward opening the door to a relationship with their nation.
3. Do: Listen more than you speak. Allow community members to share their stories and experiences at their own pace. Don't pressure people to discuss traumatic experiences before they're ready—or to repeat their story more than once. Be affirming and attentive. Avoid the urge to counter-share with your examples, which may be interpreted as a lack of understanding / not affirming their message.
4. Do: Acknowledge the historical role of the Church in colonization and harm to Native communities. Don't become defensive or try to justify past actions, nor imply or accuse past actions of the Native tribe as a co-contributor to the multi-generational trauma in need of healing.
5. Do: Understand, respect, and support traditional healing practices and spirituality. Don't insist that these beliefs are nonsensical.
6. Do: Use the preferred tribal names and terminology when addressing or referring to the community. Don't use outdated or offensive terms like "Indian," “squaw, or tribe-specific slurs.
7. Do: Advocate for and support initiatives led by Native people in the train-the-trainer approach. Empower without abdicating support. (The importance of this was discussed extensively in our youth listening sessions with Fr. Mike.) Don't impose your ideas of what the community needs without their input. It is wise to ask a local elder to act as your cultural advisor.
8. Do: Educate yourself about the ongoing effects of intergenerational trauma. Don't suggest that people should "just get over" past injustices.
9. Do: Recognize and honor the resilience and strength of Native communities. Don't focus solely on problems or portray Native people as helpless victims. Recognize them as equal members of the Body of Christ.
10. Do: Be patient in building relationships and trust. Don't expect immediate openness or acceptance. Building a trusting relationship takes hundreds and hundreds of hours; these ministries are “long-view” ministries. Be a part of the tribe’s cultural events on a regular basis (when allowed). Attend festivals, powwows, and other events open to the public. Ask permission from a respected elder before participating in ceremonies, dances, or wearing regalia. There are intertribal powwow dances open to all, but other dances require permission for participation by non-Natives. Any veteran, Native or not, is invited to march in a grand entry before a powwow.
11. Do: Support efforts to preserve and revitalize Native languages and cultural practices. Don't dismiss, minimize, or belittle traditional customs or beliefs.
12. Do: Address current issues like poverty, substance abuse, and health disparities in the context of historical and systemic factors. Don't blame individuals for societal problems or suggest simplistic solutions; avoid the implied message of “well, you did this to yourself”; your tribe is guilty also, etc. Such comments can come across as harsh or uncaring.
13. Do: Respect tribal sovereignty and governance structures. Don't try to circumvent or undermine local leadership. Chances are that you won’t be the first person there, so disrespecting the tribal ways is a way to fail fast. Observe tribal protocol.
14. Do: Encourage and support Native leadership within your ministry and the broader church. Don't assume you should always (ever?) be in charge or have the final say.
15. Do: Advocate for justice in cases of abused, trafficked, and otherwise missing and murdered Indigenous people. Don't ignore or downplay the severity of this ongoing crisis.
16. Do: Be aware of and sensitive to the trauma associated with family separations and loss of identity, be they from residential / boarding schools, forced separations into foster care systems, and the like. Don't minimize these experiences or compare them to other forms of hardship. These can be some of the deepest wounds a person can face.
17. Do: Collaborate with local mental health professionals who understand Native American trauma. Meet with them early on in your ministry. Don't attempt to provide trauma therapy if you're not qualified to do so.
16. Do: Respect privacy and confidentiality in all interactions. Don't share personal stories or information without explicit permission. When other’s stories are shared, the listener wonders if/when their story might be shared. Trust in confidentiality is sacred.
19. Do: Advocate for systemic change and policy reforms that address historical injustices. Don't focus only on individual-level interventions while ignoring broader societal issues.
20. Do: When invited, incorporate culturally relevant storytelling, art, and rituals into healing processes. Please don't pretend to know or come across as knowing their traditions better than they do.
21. Do: Regularly reflect on your biases and continue educating yourself by reading the suggested 101 book list. But don't assume you fully understand or have overcome all your cultural biases, especially when you first start; you may say or do things that you intend to be well-meaning but are taken as offensive. Pay close attention to body language and glances. Apologize when you make a mistake.
22. Don’t have the attitude that: “I wasn’t there, so there is no need for me to feel guilty, apologize, or make amends. I’m not responsible for what was done in the past.” In the Old Testament the prophet Daniel (Chapter 9) interceded for his Hebrew countrymen saying, “We have sinned.” He included himself as guilty, even though he was a righteous man. The greatest example of all is our Lord Jesus Christ who “became sin” for us (2 Cor.: 5:21).
Summary:
Your ministry with Native American communities is a sacred responsibility that requires deep compassion, cultural humility, and a commitment to ongoing learning and self-reflection. By approaching this work with respect, patience, and a willingness to follow the lead of Native people themselves, you can contribute to meaningful healing and reconciliation. Remember that true healing is a long-term process involving addressing personal and collective trauma, advocating for justice, and supporting revitalizing Native cultures and traditions. Your role is to be a supportive presence, amplifying Native voices and working alongside the various and different Native communities as their paths toward healing and a brighter future are developed, implemented, monitored, and evolved.