Resources for Indigenous Peoples' Month in November

November is recognized as Native American Heritage Month, also referred to as Indigenous Peoples' Month. There are a variety of resources that can help congregations observe this time and honor Indigenous people.

On October 11, 2021, Indigenous People’s Day, The Episcopal Church hosted a panel discussion with Indigenous Episcopalians as they responded to a statement on Indigenous boarding schools issued by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and House of Deputies President Gay Jennings. A moderated Q&A follows the panel. You can watch the video at this link. 

The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Indigenous people. Building Faith (A ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary) offers a simple liturgy that includes multiple prayers, two forms of Prayers of the People, and music suggestions. Learn more on their site at this link. 

Building Faith also shared the following prayer offered by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Port Royal, Virginia:

A Prayer for Healing and Hope
O Great Spirit, God of all people and every tribe,
through whom all people are related;
Call us to the kinship of all your people.
Grant us vision to see through the lens of our Baptismal Covenant,
the brokenness of the past;
Help us to listen to one another,
in order to heal the wounds of the present;
And give us courage, patience, and wisdom to work together
for healing and hope with all of your people,
now and in the future.
Mend the hoop of our hearts and let us live in
justice and peace
through Jesus Christ,
the One who comes to all people
that we might live in dignity. Amen.

Check out additional resources below. More will be added to this posting over the coming weeks:

• The Office of Indigenous Ministries within The Episcopal Church celebrates the longstanding presence and influence of Native Americans throughout the history of The Episcopal Church in the U.S., from its earliest days in the New World. Learn more on the Episcopal Church website at this link: www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/indigenous-ministries/
• Learn more about the state recognized Native American entities on the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs website at this link.  The commission offers additional resources to celebrate Indigenous peoples in November and every other month of the year on their website at this link. 
• Sewanee, The University of the South, shared an article about "The Episcopal Church, Indigenous People, and Creation Care." Read it at this link.