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| Rev. Larry Siikanen told the Annual Conference of two events occuring in 2016; one observes a purposeful time of repentance for the injustices committed against Native American peoples, the other to honor the memories and families of the 10,000 children who went to the Carlisle Indian School. |
By Ryan Krauss
The Committee on Native American Ministries greeted the 2015 Annual Conference with a traditional greeting that means, “all my family.”
CONAM encouraged the body to view ministry with all persons through this lens, an opening of all God’s family.
With the support of Bishop Jeremiah J. Park, CONAM is excited for two events in 2016. Next year’s Annual Conference will observe a purposeful time of repentance for the injustices committed against Native American peoples. While none of us may be directly responsible for these damages, the remembrance declares, “may it never happen again to any people.”
CONAM will also sponsor a day of celebration in the Northeast Jurisdiction for the closing of the Carlisle Indian School. This event will honor the memories and families of the 10,000 children taken from their tribal homes all across the United States between 1879 and 1918. In all of these moments of sorrow, repentance, and remembrance, CONAM encourages the body that the key is not to dwell on what happened, but to help make sure that, with God’s help, nothing like this ever happens again.
