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American Indian Initiative

Plymouth stands in the midst of an unusually rich ethnic neighborhood that includes – just down Franklin Ave. to the east – one of the largest urban American Indian populations in the country. In August 2007, several members of Plymouth sought to pursue a broader relationship with that community and met with the pastor at the All Nations Indian Church (1515 E. 23rd St.) for advice and counsel. A high energy and stimulating dialogue led to the formation of a working group at Plymouth, called the Plymouth American Indian Initiative (PAII), an adjunct of the Global Connections Committee.

Plymouth’s location and strong commitment to social justice make it a natural vehicle for helping us come to terms with the complicated spiritual and historical legacies of the American Indian experience in the U.S. In pursuing this vision, the PAII – with two American Indian members – presents a wide range of programs that promote improved communication and shared understanding within and between the Plymouth and the American Indian communities.

Over the past year-and-a-half, the PAII has put together a series of such programs: talks on “American Indian Sovereignty and Treaty Rights” and “The Indian Land Tenure Foundation”; cosponsored Adult Forum presentations, “Ojibwe Life in Minnesota” and “Story Telling, Basket Weaving and Experiencing Science”; and cosponsored Film Club screenings of Thunderheart and Pow Wow Highway, with discussions led by American Indian facilitators.

PAII’s efforts were unusually visible during Sunday First Services in November 2008. Reflecting the 9 a.m. “global cultures” theme, the services included American Indian participants and native worship elements such as smudging purification, drumming and singing, hymns and prayers in native languages and story telling. The blending of native and Christian spirituality and practice was inspiring; in the words of one PAII member, “it was a dream come true.”

PAII is planning other events – a screening of Sydney Beane’s documentary film Native Nations: Standing Together for Civil Rights that aired recently on ABC, plus related events in May; an art exhibit in collaboration with Ancient Traders Gallery; and a Literary Witnesses presentation in 2009.

For more information on the PAII, contact its convener, David Good (goodx001@umn.edu), or other current members of the working group: Becky Beane, Knowles Dougherty, Virgil Foote, Deb Gessner, Jim Lenfestey, Jim Leslie, Judd Sheridan and Mariana Shulstad.