BEYOND JOHN WAYNE

My interest in Native Americans began with John Wayne in the movie "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon".  He played a near retired cavalry Colonel Nathan Brittles, riding out on one last campaign to settle down a tribe of Indians.  Then came the television series, "Rin Tin Tin" with the dog, a boy,  and Lt. Rip Masters, riding around trying to keep the peace while demanding the Indians "know their place."

Then came college.  As a student at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, I became active in a group who spent weekends on the Neegonee and White Earth Indian Reservations in north central Minnesota.  I worked not with savages who needed to be tamed, but a people in poverty, stripped of culture and dignity.

Over time as camp director for 17 years, I developed ministries with the Native American people on the Upper and Lower Sioux Reservations in Minnesota, The Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, and Pine Ridge in South Dakota.  At Sky Ranch, we were fortunate to have a Native American on our camp board, Joe Brown Thunder, who taught us the power and grace of the Talking Circle.  We developed an area called Villore', consisting of tee pee poles from South Dakota, poles used as part of a Columbus Day demonstration of genocide on the Augustana College campus in Sioux Falls.  In Villore' we told a part of the tragic story of this near annihilation of a people. Villore' means: Village of Reconciliation.  Also, thanks to the efforts of a staff member, Erik Evenson, we developed an area of camp known as Oyateyamni, meaning "One Circle People".

And now, I am working with a great group of people concerned about Native American justice.  We are part of the Joint Peace with Justice Committee of the two Twin Cities ELCA synods.  Recently, we sponsored a Council of Conversation, bringing together Native American and White leaders.  The purpose: TO GIVE VOICE TO ISSUES OF JUSTICE AND INJUSTICE WITHIN THE NATIVE AMERICAN AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

The theological foundations opening the council were: ""Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream", Amos; "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied", Jesus; "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we all are one in Jesus Christ", Paul.

The Council of Conversation focused on the areas of: ISSUES, SOLUTIONS, PRIORITIES, and ACTION.  The methodology followed the Talking Circle or Talking Feather style: people sitting around a table, one person talks for a couple of minutes with no interruption or discussion, then the next, until all have spoken, uninterrupted.  The focus was on the dignity of every one's voice being heard and valued.

What did we learn?  ISSUES: About 50 were mentioned, with the dominant being poverty, racism, tribal council corruption, the need to learn the history of the people and what happened, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, the need for education, equal justice under the law, and sovereignty.

SOLUTIONS: Learn the truth of what is happening, de-colonization, education, work with people already in the trenches, deal with corruption in tribal councils, fair allocation of casino money, fair employment practices on reservations, economic development on reservations, getting beyond POW feeling on reservations, fair wages for casino workers, teach truthful history, nurture spirituality.

PRIORITIES: Poverty, education, addressing tribal government, nurturing healthy people, directed funding, insuring genuine democracy.

ACTIONS: Develop grass roots leadership, form action team, have conversations on reservations to give more people voice, begin addressing PRIORITIES.

I recall two strong comments that seem to crystallize the morning: 1) When asked what happens to all the money generated by the casinos?  Jim Randolph, former Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals said, "You don't want to know."; 2) After a passionate plea, during which Curtis said, "I've had enough of seeing my people die", he said, "Truth is the new hate speech."

It was heartening that of the 25 people attending, 50% of us agreed to sit on the ACTION TEAM.  Now the real work begins.

I am grateful to people who have helped me move beyond John Wayne.

Blessings and Peace!