All Categories - NEJNAMC

May 09th, 2020

5/9/2020

THE MASHPEE WAMPANOAG FIGHT FOR SOVEREIGNTY

On April 23, 2020 the Native American International Caucus wrote a LETTER calling upon legislators to take a stand to reverse the Department of Interior’s decision on March 27, 2020 to disestablish and revoke the Mashpee Wampanoag tribal reservation status. This would be problematic at any time considering the history of the relationship between the first colonists and later the US government, but it is incomprehensible in the midst of the fight against COVID-19. Read more about the historical and political aspects of this case in a UMNews service ARTICLE. Take Action HERE.

May 05th, 2020

5/5/2020

MISSING AND MURDERED NATIVE WOMEN AND GIRLS

#MMIW #MMIWG - more than just hashtags - these letters began to be used by hundreds of families who refuse to let their daughters, mothers, sisters, and aunties be forgotten!

Tuesday May 5, 2020 by Suzanne Wenonah Duchesne, excerpted from an article first published in EasternPA NewSpirit Digest May 2020.

The #MeToo movement has brought attention to the staggering number of women who have experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime. The pain and emotional toll are unimaginable, not to mention the loss of income due to lifelong challenges and the generational impact on families as women struggle to survive and heal. When those numbers are placed under a statistical magnifying glass an even clearer and more sinister picture appears.

An analysis of the Department of Justice National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) reveals that rates of rape and other sexual assaults are higher for American Indian and Alaska Native women compared to both African American and white women (Bachman et al. 2008). If that isn't enough, the maze of jurisdictional authorities that must be negotiated to bring charges and the shame associated with these crimes means that these reported numbers are under representative of the true situation.

Report on the United Nations

10/18/2018

Report to NEJNAMC on attending the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Sharon Schmit UNY CoNAM & Treasurer for NEJNAMC Executive Committee

Reflecting on my experience, I now have a question. How do we help raise the voice of our native brothers and sisters’ stories to a level that those in power will hear and respond with meaningful actions? The testimonies shared brought home the need for every member of the United Methodist Church to continue raising awareness of injustices and to stand in solidarity with our Native brothers and sisters. Read more in the official report below.

un_report_sharon_schmit.pdf
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OPening Address at 2018 NEJ Annual meeting

10/11/2018

The Ongoing Act of Repentance

by Patricia Parent,
Chair New England CoNAM & Secretary of the NEJNAMC Executive Committee

Micah 6:8--"What does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." (KJV)

This has become a sort of battle cry in our family. Two years ago our beloved nephew, Seth Parent, died in his mother's arms at the age of 42. He was not expected to live through his first night on earth, because the doctor, in inducing labor, struck Seth in the brain with the needle.

OCTOBER 11, 2018 BISHOP PARK Address

10/11/2018

The bishop's Opening Remarks to the NEJNBMC remember the trauma and proclaim hope for the future as we continue the path of Repentance

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, Healer of our Brokenness, and Hope of the World!
What a joy and privilege for me to welcome you, the Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Native American Ministries, to The Susquehanna Conference. I bring you greetings on behalf of our over 850 congregations and the approximate 141,000 persons who call themselves United Methodists in this region of the world.

REV. DR. THOM WHITE WOLF FASSETT Honored

4/10/2018

REV. DR. THOM WHITE WOLF FASSETT DELIVERS WEBER LECTURE & RECEIVES HONORARY DEGREE

“Spirituality is the highest form of political consciousness.”

These words rang throughout Rev. Dr. Thom White Wolf Fassett's presentation, “Politics of Religion—Native Spirituality & Christian Practice” at the Weber Memorial Lectures Friday, March 9, 2018, at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA.

He presented through the lens of his personal story as a member of the Seneca Nation and his father’s Lakota traditions. His humility was evident as he shared stories of those elders who nurtured his gifts and mentored him while he ministered in Alaska.

The lecture was followed by Dr. Frank L. Crouch, Vice President and Dean of Moravian Theological Seminary and Dr. Bryon Grigsby, President Moravian College conferring the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity on him for his “decades of scholarship, service, faith, and ongoing international work for justice and human and civil rights.”

100 Years: One WOman's Fight for Justice

3/1/2018

Dear Friends and Supporters of 100 Years:

Yes, you read that right! We have three legends endorsing 100 Years!
We are elated and so grateful for their support! Here's what they have to say:

“100 Years is the inspiring story of how one fearless Native American woman, Elouise Cobell, held the United States Government accountable for a century of injustice.” Robert Redford

"100 Years is a powerful tribute to a legendary hero. A must see film!"
Jane Fonda

"If you think we're having a hard time, imagine one woman fighting for Native American rights against the entire U.S. government. Go see 100 Years to find out how she won!" Gloria Steinem

Next up, I bring 100 Years to the UC Berkeley campus. I am so honored!

Please tune in on March 13, 2018 to our broadcast premiere on the award winning, PBS series, America Reframed. PBS link Then look for us on Netflix on March 21, 2018!

Thanks for your continued support and please help us spread the word!

Onward!
Melinda Janko
Director/Producer
www.100yearsthemovie.com

GNJ Youth Visit North Dakota Reservation

10/14/2017

December 5, 2016 | By Cyndy Mosley CMosley19@hotmail.com | News, Youth and Young People
Direct link to article

A group of 20 Native American United Methodist youth including four from Greater New Jersey traveled to North Dakota in September to learn more about their heritage and experienced a deepened faith.
They met as a part of the Peg Leg Flamingos Youth Group, a group named as a symbol for overcoming challenges. Flamingos often stand on one leg and then fly above it all. A flamingo with a peg leg lives in a world out of balance.

Native American Family Camp returns

8/9/2017

By Ginny Underwood
Aug. 9, 2017 | GORE, Okla. (UMNS)
www.umc.org/news-and-media/native-american-family-camp-returns

For the first time in nearly a decade, Native American United Methodists gathered for the Native American International Caucus’ Family Camp, held in Gore, Oklahoma.
The theme for the gathering was “Act of Repentance: Healing the Wounds from Within.”
“Family Camp was always an opportunity for our Native community to stay connected,” said Cynthia Kent, chair of the Native American International Caucus. The camp hadn’t been held in nine years due to a lack of funding. “Some of the kids who attended when they were little are now here with their own kids.”
More than 100 United Methodists attended the July 24-27 camp, which was made possible this year with grants from the Cook Native American Ministries Foundation, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race.
Kent said many important events have happened...

The Act of Repentance – Why Me?

1/1/2016

The Act of Repentance – Why Me? By Sherry Wack EPACoNAM
In 2012 the worldwide United Methodist church initiated an act of repentance. The Council of Bishops issued a Statement of Repentance, the first paragraph of which reads:
As the Council of Bishops, we are here to repent and express remorse for the church’s past conduct in its relationships with Native and indigenous peoples in all the places where we have extended the mission of the church for over two hundred years. We are here to commit ourselves to addressing the wrong and asking for the forgiveness of those who have been wronged by failing them so profoundly. We confess to God, acknowledging our guilt, resolving to cease the harm, pledging ourselves to live differently, reversing the damage that has been done through our participation in violence, maltreatment and neglect of Native and indigenous peoples so that we may bring about healing and restoration to all. Continue Reading [PDF]