On September 11, CoNAM members Sherry Wack and Verna Colliver traveled to Lake Mauch Chunk Park, Jim Thorpe, PA, for the Mauch Chunk Pow Wow. After a hiatus brought on by CoVID, the Lenape Nation, who sponsored the event, was happy to welcome performers and visitors for a two-day event to the grassy area among the trees surrounding the lake.
Your gifts on Native American Ministries Sunday helps support the ministries of the Committee on Native American Ministries in their annual conferences. This offering serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society.
CoNAM set up a table among the other vendors and food trucks and displayed T-shirts along with post cards and buttons to raise awareness and show support for the children who lost their lives during the residential schools era which lasted into the 20th century. The ongoing issue of Missing and Murdered Indian Women (MMIW) was clearly and dramatically shown in the artwork of Paige McNatt (Nanticoke Lenni Lenape) on a large poster, banner and on tan T-shirts.
The organizer, Chuck DeMund, officially opened the Pow Wow with a welcome and signaled the start of the Grand Entry. He then offered the “word to be said before all else is said”—a thank you in Lenape language to the Creator and a prayer to the Four Directions which he then translated into English. DeMund concluded by remembering the tragedy of 9/11 and honoring the veterans and first responders, as well as the 13 soldiers who recently died in Afghanistan. Barry Lee kept the crowd engaged, serving as emcee for the performances and music.
Throughout the day at their table, Verna and Sherry shared information about the boarding school issue and invited interested persons to sign up for the October 6 Day of Truth Telling and Repentance. CoNAM held a Zoom event on that date to honor the children by remembering them and telling their stories. There were 15 requests to join the October 6 Zoom event.
Most visitors were aware of the issues and supportive of the need to fight for justice for the women and children and to tell their stories. Many bought shirts and other items; some simply gave a donation.
The gathering was a festive occasion with all ages participating in the social dances. Children enjoyed the Candy Dance, moving with the music, but when the music stopped, they broke rhythm to pick up candies scattered in the grass. Non-Natives were invited to join the Inter-tribal dance.
Story by Verna Colliver, Eastern PA Conference, Committee on Native American Ministries.
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, Native American Ministries Sunday serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society. The special offering supports Native American outreach within annual conferences and across the United States and provides seminary scholarships for Native Americans.
When you give generously on Native American Ministries Sunday, you equip seminary students who will honor and celebrate Native American culture in their ministries. You empower congregations to find fresh, new ways to minister to their communities with Christ’s love. Give now.
