Minute for Mission: Indigenous Peoples Day

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First Indian Presbyterian Church, Kamiah, Idaho, about 1890.

Indigenous people have inhabited this continent for about 22,000 years, as scientists have discovered. Why hasn’t a “day” honoring the first nations people been part of American society until now? We were not “discovered.”

Cities and states have now decided to correct this and have begun to change the second Monday of October to Indigenous Peoples Day. Though not a plurality have taken this action, the die has been cast, and it is hoped that soon these few cities and states will become a totality.

I am descended from the Pima, T’hono Oodham and Nez Perce tribes. Since 2013, as the Associate for Native American Intercultural Congregational Support, I have worked with the 98 Native American congregations on many issues. 

Indigenous Peoples Day recognizes, with respect, the ancestors gone before us and encourages all Americans to honor the first people’s historic past and current gifts. We believe that every day is Indigenous Peoples' Day and a time to remind those who settled here after Indigenous peoples about the accurate histories instead of myths created about who we are.

Our histories and cultures were considered worthless and archaic by those Americans to the extent that our children were sent to boarding schools to “civilize” them by discarding the ancient ways of our people. It didn’t work. We are speaking and relearning our languages and cultural ways. Native people are resilient and always adapting to change. We have our struggles, too, but we endure, nevertheless. We are still here.

Irv Porter, Associate for Native American Intercultural Congregational Support, Global Ecumenical Liaison Office

Let us join in prayer for:

Christina Cosby,  Representative, Domestic, Poverty & Environmental Policy Concerns, Office of Public Witness and Presbyterian Ministry at the UN, Interim Unified Agency
Donna Costa, Food Service Manager, Stony Point Center, Interim Unified Agency

Let us pray:

Creator of the universe, guide us in new ways to honor all people, the first and recent who have come to this land. Give us peace. Thank you for the gift of life. Amen.