Native Peoples and The UMC

The United Methodist Church recognizes the contributions and gifts of Native peoples to the church and their communities around the globe. The church supports Native Americans and indigenous peoples and their traditions.

Find stories by and about Native people, along with resources, information about upcoming events, links to ministries and more.

Stories

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The Rev. David Wilson from the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference visits a home damaged by two recent snowstorms and subsequent flooding on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Photo by Ginny Underwood, UM News.

United Methodists offer lifeline to reservation

After winter storms hurt residents at Pine Ridge, the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference made a $5,000 donation to raise awareness of the crisis on the reservation. Read More

From left, John Golombie, Chickasaw Czarina Colbert Conlan and Choctaw Joseph Oklahombi are pictured at Oklahombi's home near Wright City, Oklahoma in 1921. Oklahombi was the most decorated World War I soldier from Oklahoma. Photo by Hopkins, courtesy of the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Honoring WWI code talker, Native veterans

One of the most decorated war heroes from Oklahoma is buried in the cemetery at Yasho United Methodist Church in Broken Bow. Read More

Daryl Junes-Joe from the Navajo Nation visits Norway with a group from the United Methodist Church advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples.

Navajo Advocate and United Methodist Woman

Daryl Junes-Joe has seen the world far from her home reservation and now serves the church in a new role. “God opened another door. I’ve become a voice.” View

Arthur Boncheau (left) and Mary Jane Miles receive the ceremonial deed from Larry McClure and Bishop Stanovsky. Photo by Greg Nelson, Oregon-Idaho Conference

Oregon ceremony honors return of land

In a ceremony filled with song, word and action, under the shadow of Chief Joseph Mountain, the Oregon-Idaho Conference returned a parcel of land to the Nez Perce Tribe. Read More

Attendees of the 2017 Native American Summer Conference at Lake Junaluska, N.C., form a circle in prayer. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

Study offers snapshot of Native American ministries

The Native American Comprehensive Plan has commissioned a research study to gain an understanding of the current state of Native ministries in The United Methodist Church. Read More

Norman Mark (left) and the Rev. Fred Shaw, director of the Native American Course of Study, talk about why it is important for Native pastors to blend traditional language and culture in ministry. Photo by Ginny Underwood, UMNS.

Native American Course of Study empowers pastors

Program connects theology course work and Native traditions, helping graduates grow Native congregations. Read More

The Rev. Allen Buck, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, relocated to Portland, Ore., to become the pastor of Wilshire United Methodist Native American Fellowship in July of 2017. Since then, attendance has doubled. Photo courtesy of Wilshire United Methodist Native American Fellowship.

Native ministry in Portland experiences rebirth

New pastor breathes new life into Wilshire United Methodist Native American Fellowship, the last identifiable Native ministry in the Oregon-Idaho Conference. Read More

Participants in an immersion experience hosted by the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference visit the Washita Massacre site in Cheyenne, Okla., where Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer led an 1868 attack against a Cheyenne encampment, killing 30 to 60 people. Photo by Ginny Underwood.

Immersed in Native culture, history

Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference immersion experience helps United Methodists live out Act of Repentance. Read More

The Rev. Homer Noley was a member of the Choctaw Nation and founder of the National United Methodist Native American Center. For nearly 40 years, Noley worked for the inclusion of Native Americans at all levels of the denomination. Pictured with Noley are Ragghi Rain (left) and Cynthia Kent. Photo by Ginny Underwood, UMNS

The Rev. Homer Noley, Native American trailblazer, dies at 85

Founder of the National United Methodist Native American Center, Noley worked for the inclusion of Native Americans at all levels of the denomination. Read More

Multiple winter storms with large amounts of snow, high winds and subzero-Fahrenheit temperatures have buried communities around the Blackfeet United Methodist Parish and Blackfeet Nation in northwestern Montana. Photo courtesy of Whitefish United Methodist Church.

Churches help in Montana snow emergency

The Blackfeet United Methodist Parish, Yellowstone Conference and UMCOR collaborating with Blackfeet Nation, which is buried under record snowstorms. Read More

Nikki Humbles, a licensed cosmetologist from Brock, Texas, drove four hours on Jan. 27, 2018, to provide free haircuts to Native youth at Clinton Church and Community Center in Clinton, Okla. Humbles became involved with the Clinton ministry after attending a mission trip with Brock United Methodist Church in July 2016. Photo courtesy of Clinton Church and Community Center.

Texas volunteers offer free haircuts to Native families

Nearly 20 children in Oklahoma kicked off the new year with new looks, and their parents were grateful for the money-saving service. Read More

Commentary: Mascot change first step in right direction

The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference applauds the Cleveland Indians’ decision to stop using the Chief Wahoo logo and urges The United Methodist Church to consider its own ‘firm action.’ Read More

During a “Loss of Turtle Island” exercise at the Northeastern Jurisdiction Native American Ministries Committee annual gathering, participants were led through an experience that illustrated the progressive loss of land, culture and life of Native peoples in the United States. Photo by the Rev. Deborah Coble, West Virginia Conference.

Celebrating Native American outreach, advocacy

Northeastern Jurisdiction annual gathering spotlights successes, offers opportunities to learn from the past. Read More

Bailee Allen (right) credits Phillip “Bugsy” Barnoski, family and community coordinator at Oklahoma’s Rougher Alternative Academy, with helping her get her life on track. Now 19, she is enrolled at the College of the Muscogee Nation, where she is studying to be a student services worker. “Just seeing how Bugsy impacted kids that didn’t have much, making them feel happy, making them feel important and equal, made me want to do that,” she said. Photo by Ginny Underwood, UMNS.

Native American creates an oasis for troubled teens

“Bugsy” Barnoski sees himself in the young people at Oklahoma’s Rougher Alternative Academy. He’s made it his mission to help them find their purpose and embrace their Native... Read More

St. John United Methodsit Church in Bridgeton, N.J., is the fifth oldest Native American Methodist Church in the U.S. Photo courtesy the Greater New Jersey Conference.

Native American church designated historic site

New Jersey's St. John United Methodist Church, home church to many members of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation, has been designated as an Historic Native American Methodist Church. Read More

A newly formed Committee for Native American Concerns convened in Atlanta. Photo courtesy United Methodist Global Ministries.

Committee for Native American Concerns meets in Atlanta

The committee met to act on next steps to raise awareness of the harm caused by some U.S. sports teams that use Native American mascots or symbols. Read More

Special Report: Honduras and Guatemala 2017

From a chaplain who preaches over the intercom in a factory to pastors who cope with gang violence, series takes you inside the church in Latin America. Read More

Mika Sam, 15, studies a display of Native American leaders inside the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee, N.C. A member of the Choctaw tribe, he attends Great Spirit United Methodist Church in Bogue Chitto, Miss. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS.

Native Americans share stories, songs at conference

Gathering included a ‘Cherokee Immersion,’ with visits to a Native American museum and village in Cherokee, North Carolina. Read More

Mark Soldier Wolf (left) and Nelson White Eagle are part of the Northern Arapaho delegation who visited the former Carlisle Indian Industrial School, now the U.S. Army War College, to retrieve the remains of three children who died at the school and return them to their home in Wyoming. Photo by Charles Fox, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Returning Carlisle children’s remains

The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Committee on Native American Ministries was involved in efforts to repatriate the remains of three Arapaho children who died over 130 years ago at the Carlisle Indian... Read More

A Methodist camp group gathered around the Red Rock in the mid-1900's. Photo courtesy the Minnesota Annual Conference.

Sacred Red Rock to be returned to Native Americans

For nearly 150 years, Minnesota Methodists have cared for a granite boulder that is sacred to the Dakota people. Now the Minnesota Conference is planning the Red Rock’s return. Read More

Youth participate in afternoon crafts at the Native American International Caucus’ Family Camp held July 24-27, 2017, in Gore, Okla. It’s the first time the camp has been held in nearly a decade. Photo by Ginny Underwood, UMNS.

Native American Family Camp returns

Gathering focuses on strengthening health and vitality among Native people and communities. Read More

Dakotas-Minnesota Area Bishop Bruce R. Ough congratulates the Rev. Susan Jennys, recipient of the 2017 Streams of Justice Award. Jennys leads Morningstar Fellowship, a ministry that connects Native Americans in the Sioux Falls region of South Dakota. Photo by Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference communication

Morningstar ministry connects Native Americans

The Rev. Susan Jennys and Morningstar Fellowship, an outreach to Native Americans in South Dakota, are the recipients of this year’s Streams of Justice Award. Read More

Connecting faith and culture

Oklahoma couple works to bring balance to young Native people’s lives. Read More

The Rev. David Wilson, left, superintendent of the United Methodist Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, leads a morning meditation focused on land during the gathering of indigenous peoples in Soltun, Norway. Photo courtesy of Levi Bautista.

Connecting worldwide as indigenous peoples

A newly formed working group offers a “platform for joint work and collaboration” for United Methodists with native heritages. Read More

Commentary: What’s next for Standing Rock?

The Rev. David Wilson says the mood has changed at Standing Rock, but water protectors haven’t given up their fight to protect Mother Earth. Read More

Four tribes were represented during the Native American dance presentation during the 2014 Council of Bishops' meeting in Oklahoma City. Tribes are Euchee, Seminole, Creek and Shawnee. Photo by Holly McCray, Oklahoma Conference.

Special Sunday honors Native American people, churches

Native American Ministries Sunday, one of The United Methodist Church's six special Sundays, focuses attention on the gifts and contributions of Native Americans to society and the denomination. Read More

Dallas Indian Mission United Methodist Church offers a taste of heritage

If it’s Friday, the special of the day at most places is fish. But at the Dallas Indian Mission United Methodist Church, it’s Friday Night Frybread and More. Read More

Young people from Oneida United Methodist Church, who attended the Peg-Leg Flamingos youth leadership conference in September, present a tribal flag to water protectors at Standing Rock. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Carol Lakota Eastin

Peg-leg flamingo symbolizes challenges faced by Native American youth

Peg-Leg Flamingos, a United Methodist leadership program, aims to nurture and educate young Native American leaders. Read More

Madeleine Freeman, 2016 Miss Indian Oklahoma City Princess, right, prepares to dance with the 2016 Junior Miss Indian Oklahoma City Princess, Jessica J. Meikle, center, and the 2016 Little Miss Indian Oklahoma City Princess, Victoria Echiwardy, during a pow-wow in Shawnee, Okla., in their honor. Photo by Ginny Underwood, UMNS.

Native American teen embraces Choctaw language, culture

As Miss Indian Oklahoma City Princess, 17-year-old serves as an ambassador for Native people, particularly girls, in her community and United Methodist Church. Read More

Dallas Parker, left, the Rev. David Wilson and Tim Byington, right, present thermal coats to a camp volunteer at the Oceti Sakawin Camp at Standing Rock. The coats were donated by the Urban Inter-Tribal Center of Texas. Photo courtesy of Dallas Parker.

Standing Rock Sioux to fight Trump’s pipeline order

Tribe urges supporters to contact congressional leaders over the decision, as nearly 800 remain camped out near Dakota Access Pipeline site. Read More

Commentary: The rise of Standing Rock through social media

Thanks to social media, Native American communities have been able to tell their own story. Read More

Some 1,300 people, including members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, have used the campsite near Cannon Ball, N.D., as a base to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline, which tribal members say crosses sacred land and imperils their water supply. Photo by Erin Hawkins, United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race.

Pension board: Talk to Standing Rock tribe

Wespath has urged the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline to reach out to affected communities. Read More

The Rev. David Wilson, superintendent of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, attaches banners from United Methodist churches supporting the Standing Rock Sioux’ protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Wilson was at the protest camp, near Cannon Ball, N.D., on Sept. 10. Other United Methodist pastors will be gathering there for an interfaith clergy event on Nov. 3.

Clergy head to Standing Rock for protest

United Methodists join interfaith effort supporting Native Americans’ opposition to Dakota Access Pipeline. Read More

Pilgrimage of Healing: Sand Creek Massacre-Personal Reflection

It takes a village to make a pilgrimage of healing. A journey of healing is not an individual act, but a collective act. Read More

Tribal members from Oklahoma participate in readings (skits) that explain challenges facing indigenous peoples during the Act of Repentance service at the Council of Bishops meeting in Oklahoma City. Photo by Ginny Underwood, UMNS

Native Americans share struggles, hopes for church

A service of repentance blended worship of God, education about the challenges Native Americans still face, and a call for United Methodists to love their indigenous neighbors more faithfully. Read More

Sites of Interest

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General Conference

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Cynthia Kent, chairperson of the Native American International Caucus, speaks on a petition that asks The United Methodist Church raise awareness of the harm caused by some sports teams by mascots and/or symbols promoting expressions of racism and disrespect of Native American people. She spoke during the May 19 plenary session of the 2016 General Conference in Portland, Ore. Photo by Maile Bradfield, UMNS.

GC2016: Oppose mascots that demean Native Americans

But resolution does not call on United Methodist agencies to move meetings as protest. Read More

The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society address the 2016 United Methodist General Conference May 16 in Portland, Ore. Crowe helped present the report on the denomination's Four Areas of Focus for ministry. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Legislation promotes expanded health care for Native Americans, other minorities

Legislation adopted by the United Methodist General Conference could support efforts to improve health care for Native Americans. Read More

Representatives of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes are recognized May 18 at the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore., where delegates received a tutorial on the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre, in which U.S. troops led by a Methodist preacher-turned-cavalry officer attacked unsuspecting Indians. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS

GC2016 recalls, laments Sand Creek Massacre

Cheyenne, Arapaho survivors of descendants join in observation of 1864 attack led by a Methodist pastor-turned-soldier. Read More

Native American scholar Henrietta Mann is a descendent of survivors of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre in Eads, Colo. The 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore., will receive a report about the massacre during its May 18 afternoon session. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Professor, descendant of Sand Creek survivors seeks ‘peace’ at General Conference

Henrietta Mann’s great-grandmothers survived the Sand Creek Massacre, an ordeal her people have not forgotten. Read More

Cynthia Kent, chairperson of the Native American International Caucus, speaks during the Pre-General Conference News Briefing in Portland, Ore., in January. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Petition, caucus condemn use of Native Americans mascots

The United Methodist Church should not have to legislate condemnation of sports teams using Native American mascots and names. Read More

Nocona Williford, an Oklahoma Comanche and layperson in the Oklahoma Missionary Conference, watches the May 17 morning worship from the bleachers in the plenary hall of the 2016 United Methodist General Conference. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS

Native American young people lack history in church

Not growing up in The United Methodist Church contributes to a lack of involvement by Native American young people. Read More

Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference celebrates 40 years of voting rights

In 1972, the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference was recognized. It took four more years for their delegates to be granted the right to vote in General Conference. Read More

Opening Worship: We are global and indigenous

While we are a global church, we are a “local” people. Read More

Resources

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Native Peoples and The UMC

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Stories

United Methodists offer lifeline to reservation

Honoring WWI code talker, Native veterans

Navajo Advocate and United Methodist Woman

Oregon ceremony honors return of land

Study offers snapshot of Native American ministries

Native American Course of Study empowers pastors

Native ministry in Portland experiences rebirth

Immersed in Native culture, history

The Rev. Homer Noley, Native American trailblazer, dies at 85

Churches help in Montana snow emergency

Texas volunteers offer free haircuts to Native families

Commentary: Mascot change first step in right direction

Celebrating Native American outreach, advocacy

Native American creates an oasis for troubled teens

Native American church designated historic site

Committee for Native American Concerns meets in Atlanta

Special Report: Honduras and Guatemala 2017

Native Americans share stories, songs at conference

Returning Carlisle children’s remains

Sacred Red Rock to be returned to Native Americans

Native American Family Camp returns

Morningstar ministry connects Native Americans

Connecting faith and culture

Connecting worldwide as indigenous peoples

Commentary: What’s next for Standing Rock?

Special Sunday honors Native American people, churches

Dallas Indian Mission United Methodist Church offers a taste of heritage

Peg-leg flamingo symbolizes challenges faced by Native American youth

Native American teen embraces Choctaw language, culture

Standing Rock Sioux to fight Trump’s pipeline order

Commentary: The rise of Standing Rock through social media

Pension board: Talk to Standing Rock tribe

Clergy head to Standing Rock for protest

Pilgrimage of Healing: Sand Creek Massacre-Personal Reflection

Native Americans share struggles, hopes for church

Sites of Interest

Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference

Native American International Caucus

Native American Comprehensive Plan

Native American Ministries Sunday

General Conference

GC2016: Oppose mascots that demean Native Americans

Legislation promotes expanded health care for Native Americans, other minorities

GC2016 recalls, laments Sand Creek Massacre

Professor, descendant of Sand Creek survivors seeks ‘peace’ at General Conference

Petition, caucus condemn use of Native Americans mascots

Native American young people lack history in church

Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference celebrates 40 years of voting rights

Opening Worship: We are global and indigenous

Resources

Native American United Methodist Churches

Leadership Resources from Discipleship Ministries

Native American Ministries Sunday Resources

Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) contacts

A Native American Celebration of Holy Communion

21st Century Worship Resources for Native American Ministries Sunday

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