Social Action Resolutions [First Indian Ecumenical Conference]
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/official4126
- Date
- 1971 January - February
- Source
- General Synod. Minutes
- Type
- Resolutions
- [Act 134]
- Seconder
- Mr. C.C. Kane
- Text of motion
- That the Resolutions made at the first Indian Ecumenical Conference be referred to the Program Committee for appropriate action. CARRIED
- Notes
- The Resolutions are as follows:
- A. "Be it Resolved:
- This convention goes on record as opposing all interference in the natural and sacred relation between the Indian people and the animals and birds which the Creator placed on this island for our physical and spiritual sustenance. By interference we mean such things as requiring Indians to have a permit to hunt eagles, disregarding of Indian hunting rights in Oklahoma, the encouragement of commercial hunting of caribou in the Northwest Territories, the promotion of sportsman hunting to the detriment of hunting for food by Indians, etc."
- B. "Whereas, the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah have failed to recognize the sacred character of the rites of the Native American Church, and
- Whereas, said failure has caused severe hardship and is a violation of their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion,
- Now therefore, Be it Resolved
- That the delegates attending the First All Indian Ecumenical Conference, themselves members of many different Christian and traditional faiths, recommend that the governments of each of the aforementioned states be asked to cease harassing members of the Native American Church and to immediately grant formal recognition of the sacred character of their rites."
- C. "Be it Resolved
- This convention wishes to go on record as expressing the strongest disapproval of the perversion of Indian sacred dances for commercial purposes by unauthorized groups, the taking of the Peyote sacrament by non-Indians in a secular contest [sic i.e. context], and all other such undignified mockeries of our ancient traditions."
- D. "Be it Resolved
- This convention petitions denominational authorities to permit those, both Indian and non-Indian, who work among Indian groups, the freedom to use native languages, traditions, dances, legends, and their own ancient religions as instruments of expression of the Christian life."
- E. "Be it Resolved
- This convention requests that in view of the recent ecumenical movement among Christian denominations that mission activity be better coordinated so as not to encourage excessive competition among sects in Indian communities which results in confusion and heightens such social disintegration as psychological turmoil and religious strife.
- Further, we ask that missionaries always keep in mind that they are guests in our reservations and communities and that we are no longer a conquered passive people to be exploited spiritually."
- F. "Be it Resolved
- This convention most strongly wishes to point out to the governments of the United States and Canada that our treaties with them are not secular contracts to us but sacred covenants, ordained and sanctioned by God, which guarantee our existence as peoples and which establish a sacred reciprocity among the Indian, God, the natural world, and our recent European brothers.
- Any disregard of our treaties is, in fact, a violation of our religion and Judeo-Christian ethics as well."
- G. "Be it Resolved
- The Convention wishes to encourage the teaching of Indian culture and language in those schools not now having such programs.
- Further, this convention requests that those who teach Indian culture and history in schools be appointed after consultation with the Indian people involved and that non-essential education standards be waived so that native religionists can be utilized in such school programs.
- H. "Be it Resolved
- This convention strongly recommends that it be made the public policy of all public health agencies to work in cooperation with Indian medicine men and native Indian doctors.
- Further, that all government hospitals be made aware of local Indian health and religious practices and be required to take them into account in hospitals practice and procedure.
- Further, that local Indian communities be formed to act as liaison between the hospitals and the Community; and that these committees function to provide information to health agencies about Indian religious practices such as these agencies have about other religious groups.
- I. "Be it Resolved
- The delegates of the First All Indian Ecumenical Conference of North America, who are themselves members of many separate Christian and traditional denominations, unanimously recommend and call upon the National church organizations to take specific action to insure that all of its members extend their respect and assistance to small Christian denominations such as the Native American Church. In view of the recent ecumenical movement, it is untenable that religious persecution of a Christian Indian group be allowed to continue. Their plight is the concern of all Christians and we urge all Christians to take up their cause."
- J. "Be it Resolved
- This convention supports the efforts toward American Indian self-determination and attempts of all American Indian communities to create viable community organizations, both local community organizations and tribal organizations."
- K. "Be it Resolved
- The Convention go on record as opposing the indiscriminate desecration of our historic and religious monuments, our burial grounds, our pictographs, etc., by such outside institutions as universities, park service, the army Corps of Engineers, Highway Department, etc. We would strongly recommend that the Indian Religious leaders of the tribes involved be consulted before any excavations of these sacred places take place.
- Further, that the sacred relics which are now in museums and which were collected by quasi-legal and immoral methods be returned on request to the tribe involved. Moreover, those sacred relics acquired legitimately by museums should be on loan for such periods as they are needed by Indian tribes. Further, museums should hire Indians qualified to care for such sacred objects now in their possession."
- [Recorded as No. 134 in Acts of Synod, p. 72. List of Acts includes actions which are NOT resolutions/acts.]
- Subjects
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - Anglican Church of Canada
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - Religion
- Indigenous peoples - United States - Religion
- Hunting - Religious aspects
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - Hunting - Law and legislation
- Indigenous peoples - United States - Hunting - Law and legislation
- Indigenous peoples - Canada - Health and hygiene
- Indigenous peoples - United States - Health and hygiene
- Indian Ecumenical Conference (1st : 1969) - Resolutions
- Native American Church
- Indigenous peoples - North America - Missions
- Indigenous spirituality
- Indigenous spirituality - Anglican Church of Canada