Honor The Promise Campaign (Treaty of Amity: Perpetual Peace and Friendship)
Based on mutual attendance, Honor the Promise yard signs were taken to the 41st Annual Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Powwow, held at the Salem County Fairgrounds. Friends will be keeping alive the story of perpetual peace and friendship. Who is represented by this sacred wampum belt treaty; which rivers represent Lenapehoking; when might the yard signs be displayed? These and more relative inquiries are perpetuating The Treaty of Amity ‘story by the following monthly meetings: Atlantic City Area, Chestnut Hill, Kendal, London Grove, Woodbury, Woodstown; as well as Friends School Mullica Hill and Burlington Meetinghouse; and by request, gifted to the Native American Church/ St John UMC (Fordville) and Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation.
Change The Mascot Campaign (Erasures by Colonizers/ Predominant Culture)
Coalition of Natives and Allies (CNA) continues to receive support from leaders in various PA communities as well as governances, including the Human Relations Commission. One talk has recently been formatted as a YouTube video. This opportunity will relieve their Native American colleagues from reliving their experiences of dismissiveness/ disregard for each community engagement.
Toward inclusion, Indigenous Peoples have developed Curriculum & sponsor webinars. These truths about Native American History are non-existent in most public schools, charter schools, and Friends Schools. Where might our rising youth hear truths; what curriculum revisions might readdress education and mindsets? We look to those of PYM to help spread the good works gifted us.
We have heard that Mr. J. Johnson, of the (Lenape) Delaware Tribe of Indians (Bartlesville, OK), recently spoke to the Pennsylvania legislature; this follows a press release indicating that the Delaware Tribe of Indians is seeking a homecoming to PA.
The Delaware Nation (Anadarko, OK) has a web presence and a Facebook presence and a local Historic Preservation Office at the Museum of Indian Culture, in Allentown, PA, providing access to ancestral homelands and efficiently responding to NAGPRA and historic preservation related concerns in the region. The Delaware Nation recently reacquired a cemetery plot of land in Chester County, PA.
Truth and Healing Campaign
On January 22, 2022, the 117th Congress passed a concurrent resolution that September 30th will be an observance of National Remembrance Day for Native American children who died while attending a United States Indian boarding school; recognizes, honors, and supports the survivors, families and communities of children who attended such schools; and encourages the people of the United States to – a) support and recognize the grief, pain, and hardship many Native American people suffered and still endure as a result of the assimilationist policies and practices carried out by the United States through Indian boarding school policies; b) honor the legacy of and remember those who were lost or harmed by Federal assimilation policies and practices; and c) appreciate the resilience of the survivors and their families with appropriate ceremonies programs, events, and other activities to support and commemorate with a national day of remembrance.
FCRC Minute, submitted for consideration
Minute of Support for the Establishment of a Federal Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the US Quakers were among the strongest supporters of the Indian boarding school policies and operated approximately 30 Indian (mission) schools from 1869 to the 1960’s. During this era of assimilation, Indigenous children were taught to adopt Western European-American culture by rejecting their cultural and personal identities – unique Native languages, manner of dress, lifeways, knowledge, wisdom, ceremonies, and spiritual practices. Quakers also gave money to (Federal) Indian Boarding Schools. The history of these Indian schools is complex. In allyship with the NJ state designated Native American Church, St. John (Fordville) United Methodist Church (UMC) and their Committee on Native American Ministry (CoNAM), South Jersey Friends (Quakers) are researching our churches’ historic roles in the Indian Boarding schools and listening to authentic truths, formative toward reparation considerations. The purpose of establishing a federal Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the US is to research the histories experienced by Native American children who were removed from their homes and placed in Indian Boarding schools and the ongoing intergenerational impacts on Tribal Nations’ Indigenous Peoples and their cultures. Given rightly ordered Spiritual discernment of timely, relevant action(s), your Philadelphia Yearly Meeting First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative approves the establishment of a Federal Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the US, trusting Friendly processes – following one’s guide, taking action as led, living peace as the way. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative is seeking approval of this minute from the PYM body at large.
Backstory
Indigenous voices rising, ex. Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition; 117th Congress First Session, Companion bills S. 2907 and H.R. 5444 introduced September 30, 2021; minute originating and approved by Salem Quarter Indian Affairs Committee 12/2021; subsequently presented to and approved by SQ 3/13/2022; FCNL support; Companion bills S. 2907; and H.R. 5444 Tested & sensing unity among First Contact Reconciliation Collaborators, approved 01/2022; further seasoned for alignment with drafted PYM Lobbying Policy 01/2022; submitted 02/2022 to PYM Co-clerks for PYM ‘Sessions Agenda
From a YouTube of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States (SCIP) we hear their (04:11:00) legislative hearing on tribal-related legislation: H.R. 5444 (Rep. Sharice Davids, D-KS), To establish the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States, and for other purposes. “Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act.”
For analytical review we share the Department Of Interior DOI report (vol 1), released May 11, 2022, with appendices and maps listing schools that met the DOI four criteria. This research aligns with “our” 10+ years of ongoing original research.
Prompted by learning of Stands & Laugh, whose English name is Gertrude Spotted Tail (Brule Sioux of Rosebud Agency), our current research is producing facts centering on the (1879 -1918) Carlisle Indian Boarding School student “outings.” We notice student placements in homes throughout the PYM geographic regions, with recognition of prestigious “Quaker Ladies” as well as requests for students by gentlemen, evidencing Friends participation in the Federal assimilation of Native Peoples. We find Friends directly and indirectly benefiting from systemic policies, privileged then bearing legacy now.
Friends are provided a 2018 document, Reclaiming Native Truth: Narrative Change Strategy; we wonder how a process of reclaiming truths might serve cross-cultural communities?
In the 111th Congress, President Obama’s apology to Native Nations’ Peoples was never delivered, simply buried in a defense spending bill in section 8113, signed into law in 2010. One Friends Meeting was joined by lay minister, Cynthia Mosley (Lenape), who has met with Negiel Bigpond (Yuchi), and experienced the value of a sincere apology while visiting the Chilocco Boarding School. One Friend has prepared and delivered to Lenape leadership words of apology including reparations beyond land acknowledgements; others are continuing their processes toward clearness.
For these truths and more, we have available Equine Ministry for healing – centering on horses and nature – Third Thursdays, 6PM – 6:45 through October 2022; all are welcome to these virtual sessions using the collaborative’s contact information: sacredwovenword@yahoo.com, (609) 732-0576.
Image credit: Photographer John N. Choate Portrait of Richard Henry Pratt and Chief Spotted Tail with Rebecca T. Haines (standing at left), Susan Longstreth (standing in center), and Mary Anna Longstreth (standing at rear right). The Longstreths and Haines were known as the “Quaker Ladies.” All are posed on the bandstand on the school grounds. Spotted Tail was visiting the school in June 1880, which is probably when this photo was taken.
