Context, context, context! This page is dedicated to providing a context for our call to the Mokahum Ministry Center in Cass Lake, MN. When thinking about Native America, it is common for our minds to default to days gone by usually filled with images supplied to us by Hollywood. This page is to counter that.
Not only should we not forget the history of the Native Americans, we need to remember that they are still here — they have remained, and their history is still being written today. Unlike what many of us commonly believe, there is no neatly drawn line of demarcation to justify a “that was then, this is now” view of their (and our) history.
The links provided below will give you a glimpse into their world using their voices from their perspective. It is important to know that there is no one singular Native American perspective, they are a diverse people group. But although their voices are many, they resonate together on many issues. Because this page is designed to give you a mere glimpse, it cannot represent all the voices in Indian country. I will try to give both non-Christian Native outlets as well as Christian ones, too.
When approached with humility, your views will be challenged, thoughts and emotions will be provoked. Hopefully, your perspective will be changed and your prayers will be ignited. I hope that you make it a regular practice to visit some of the sites below.
Disclaimer: The views represented on these sites are not necessarily shared by Patrick Lennox, MTW, PCA, or even by all Native Americans. They are posted simply to give you a view into the lives of Native Americans.
News Media Outlets
Native American Journalists Association
Youth Culture
“We Are Still Here” — A Documentary on Today’s Young Native Americans
Cultural Perspective Articles
Authenticity: Ethnic Indians, non-Indians and Reservation Indians
Documentaries (some links take you to the actual film, while others you my find on Netflix or You Tube)
TED Talks America’s Native Prisoners of War
Reel Injun – Traces Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans starting with silent films to our modern day era.
Movies
Smoke Signals (cult classic)
Stereotypes: What’s the Big Deal?
The Harm of Native Stereotyping
Christian Ministry
Fellowship of Native American Christians
Resources concerning the boarding school era:
Books
Pipestone: My Life in an Indian Boarding School, Adam Fortunate Eagle
Video
There are so many videos worth watching, it is difficult to decide which ones to highlight. If we can get passed our need for big-budgeted “quality” productions, and just listen to the stories being told by the people themselves, we will gain a better understanding of the realities behind the propaganda of the government and churches.
Unseen Tears: The Native American Boarding Schools Experience in Western New York Part 1
Unseen Tears: The Native American Boarding Schools Experience in Western New York Part 2
The Wellbriety Journey to Forgiveness
Online articles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Indian_boarding_schools
http://www.nrcprograms.org/site/PageServer?pagename=airc_hist_boardingschools
http://www.pbs.org/indiancountry/history/boarding.html
http://www.nmai.si.edu/education/codetalkers/html/chapter3.html
Lennox Letters 