On this site the team will maintain resources, examples of apologies to Native communities, and notices of events taking place across the state. This is a site that will be continually developing over time. If you know of events in your area, resources not yet included or would like to be involved in ongoing relationships with Minnesota's Native American Communities, contact Rev. John Guttermann by email or at 651-485-3104.
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A Resolution Regarding the State of Minnesota’s 150th Anniversary and the Establishing of Ongoing Relationships with Minnesota Native American Communities
Resolution Passed June 8, 2008
by the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Conference
United Church of Christ
Only the “Be It Resolved” statements were voted upon by the Annual Meeting.
The Summary and Whereas sections were neither voted upon nor approved.
SUMMARY OF INTENT: A resolution to mark the 150th anniversary of the State of Minnesota as a year for acknowledging the history of the relationship between European-Americans and Native Americans, repenting of the injustices that are part of that history and its continuing legacy, and beginning a new relationship by U.S. federal and state governments and non-Native peoples with Native American governments and Native peoples.
FUNDING IMPLICATIONS: Funding will come out of the budgets of Conference Office, the Justice & Witness Team, and the Emmaus Antiracism Leadership Team.
WHEREAS the State of Minnesota is recognizing its 150th anniversary in 2008; and
WHEREAS we members of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ are also residents of the State of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS the history of the relationship between the Native American and European American communities is rife with injustices visited upon Native American nations and attempts to destroy or dominate Indian peoples, families, resources and cultures, along with resistance by Native Americans to this destruction and domination; and
WHEREAS we Christians believe, and try to live by, the words of Jesus Christ that “The truth shall make you free;” (John 8:32b) and
WHEREAS we Christians also believe we need to repent of our own sins; (Acts 2:38; Romans 2:1-11) and
WHEREAS we Christians are called by the Gospel to show evidence of our repentance; (Matthew 3:8, 10; Romans 12:9-21; Ephesians 4:22-32) and
WHEREAS we Christians are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves; (Mark 12:28-32; Luke10:25-28) and
WHEREAS the Gospel of Jesus Christ calls all Christians to reach out to each other and our neighbors in love and compassion, with justice and in peace; (Matthew 25:31-46; James 2:14-26) and
WHEREAS we residents of the State of Minnesota have access to resources to learn the history of the European American and Native American relationship:
BE IT RESOLVED that we, the 2008 annual meeting of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ, recognizing the need to build relationship and establish trust-worthiness, call on the Governor and Legislature of the State of Minnesota to use the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the State of Minnesota to begin a new relationship between the State government and Native American governments and communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we, the 2008 annual meeting of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ, call on all congregations and other bodies of the United Church of Christ in Minnesota to become highly knowledgeable about the history of the relationship between the Native American and European American communities, to engage in discussions within congregations and communities regarding that history, and to form antiracist, justice-seeking relationships in support of Native American governments and communities including seeking to understand the significance of, the nature of, and the responsibilities involved in extending apologies for the unjust treatment of Native Americans by European Americans; and
BE IT FURTHUR RESOLVED that during the upcoming year the Justice & Witness Team and the Emmaus Anti-Racism Team shall request the assistance of all congregations and other bodies of the United Church of Christ in Minnesota in (1) sharing local and Conference-wide experiences building relationships and becoming more trust-worthy allies with Native American governments, communities and individuals and (2) considering the need for apologies by the Conference and by individual congregations to Native American nations and communities. The Justice & Witness Team and the Emmaus Antiracism Team shall report regularly to the Board of Directors on this effort and the Conference shall explore this effort in depth at its 2009 Annual Meeting; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we, the 2008 annual meeting of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ, direct the Conference Minister to send letters to the Governor and all members of the Minnesota Senate and Minnesota House on behalf of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church, urging them to author, pass and sign a bill beginning a new dialogue on the history and relationship of Native American and European American communities in Minnesota, including apologies to the Native American nations and communities located within the State of Minnesota for the unjust treatment of Native Americans by European Americans over the years of Minnesota history from the beginning of European contact through and including the present time; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we, the 2008 annual meeting of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ, direct that the Conference Board of Directors, with whatever assistance it may desire from other Conference bodies, establish a relationship of collaboration and support with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and with other Indian-based organizations who may propose legislation regarding the Minnesota Sesquicentennial or the need for apologies and new relationship, with the desired outcome being that the Conference will support that legislation. If legislation is proposed, the Board of Directors is authorized to approve said legislation on behalf of the Conference and, upon such approval, shall direct the Conference Minister to send letters to the Governor and all members of the Minnesota Senate and Minnesota House on behalf of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ, urging them to sponsor, pass and sign that legislation. Congregations within the Conference are encouraged to involve themselves in the legislative process, with the goal of having at least 500 Conference members present at the signing of that legislation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we, the 2008 annual meeting of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ, call on our partner communions in and through the Minnesota Council of Churches to join the Minnesota Conference in the various actions described in this Resolution; and finally
BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED that the Justice and Witness Team and Emmaus Anti-Racism Team continue working together to provide resources and opportunities for congregations and individuals of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ to learn the truth about this aspect of our state’s history, and to be in antiracist, justice-seeking relationships with Native American nations and communities located within the State.