CENTRE FOR INDIAN SCHOLARS

FACT SHEET

A Native Educational and Religious Institution

    Incorporated as a charitable institution # RR00010443606

 

The Centre was established by the Steering Committee of the Indian Ecumenical Conference in order to provide a permanent institution for First Nations religious leaders in North America, both traditional and Christian. The Centre for Indian Scholars (CIS) became incorporated in 1972 as an Indian cultural educational and religious institution designed for Indian peoples to study, teach and foster Indian traditions, culture and to provide cross-cultural learning where others may learn about Indian peoples and their culture. The Centre was established by the Steering Committee of the Indian Ecumenical Conference (IEC) in 1971 to facilitate the strengthening and sharing of culture and spirituality of the Indigenous Peoples of North America.  Since then, the Centre has contributed to cross-cultural dialogue and understanding in a variety of grass roots, inter-tribal regional meetings in various locations throughout North America, think tanks and bi-annual symposium. For the last 20 years CIS has participated in the Native Ministries Consortium summer school.

 A “narrative map” of the Indian Ecumenical Conference is available in James Treat’s book Around the Sacred Fire: Native Religious Activism in the Red Power Era, Palgrave MacMillan, New York, 2003.  Information about the Centre is also available on the websites http://www.centreindianscholars.com and at http://works.bepress.com/robert_thomas.

          

INDIAN ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE (IEC) BEGINNINGS

            

The IEC, held in the early 1970s at Morley, Alberta brought together Indigenous traditional and Christian leaders to discuss and share tribal cultures, beliefs and concerns about maintaining the sacred road, the good life and future survival of Indigenous Peoples.

 C     First Conference – 1970

C     150 people from 47 tribes throughout North America

C     met at the Crow Reservation, Montana

C     93 delegates, 42 unofficial delegates, 16 observers

C     coordinated by the Nishnawbe Institute, Toronto

C     funded by the Primate’s Fund, Anglican Church of Canada; the Canadian Catholic Conference; the United Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church, USA.

 CONFERENCE CONCLUSIONS – 1970

C     modern Indian religious life should be continuous with time honoured Indian values and philosophical concerns

C     modern Indian religious life and Indian Christianity are both part of that continuity

C     Indian Religious life & Spirituality  and Indian Christianity can be mutually supportive

C         future conferences needed to implement these conclusions.

       

SECOND INDIAN ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE

       C     held at Morley Alberta and it was decided that all future conferences would be held on that sacred site.

  IEC GROWTH – 1971 – PRESENT

 The initial gathering grew from 150 to as many as 10,000 native people by 1973. It met annually until 1983 and then renewed itself in 1987.  The effort to discuss native religious issues by First Nations medicine people and Christian leaders provided the impetus for many regional meetings.  Since 1987 smaller versions of the conference have continued to meet at Morley and Chief John Snow became the Chairperson of those conferences.  The work of the Indian ecumenical conference marked a unique turning point in the religious life and perspective of North American Indian tribes.

                                                           

INDIAN ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE (IEC) ACHIEVEMENTS

                                           

C     The IEC called for the establishment of June 21st as an Aboriginal Day of Prayer by both Canada and the United States.  This lead to the creation of June 21st as the Aboriginal Day in Canada.

C     The IEC provided the impetus for the public re-emergence of traditional tribal religions

C     The IEC caused many Christian religious institutions to reconsider their relationship to First Nations Peoples and First Nations traditions

C     The IEC was a catalyst for the development of First Nations’ clergy in many churches

C     The IEC encouraged the inclusion by medical practitioners of native healers in their treatment of first nations patients

C     The IEC advocated access of native religious practitioners to native prisoners

C     The IEC encouraged the increased use of native elders in schools, colleges and universities.

C     The IEC caused  many theologians to begin to re-evaluate their positions in the light of first nations thought

C     The IEC issued statements about and advocated action for the protection of traditional and ecological knowledge.

 The Steering Committee of the Indian Ecumenical Conference called for the establishment of the Centre for Indian Scholars which was incorporated as a Federal charitable educational and religious institution in 1972.  The First CIS Board included Robert K. Thomas, Cherokee, President; John A. (Ian) Mackenzie, Sec/treasurer; Andrew Ahenekew, Cree; Andrew Dreadfulwater, Cherokee; And Stewart Etsitty, Navaho.

 CENTRE FOR INDIAN SCHOLARS OBJECTIVES  (Objects of incorporation)

 1.     To create for the benefit of the whole community on a non profit basis a genuine Indian cultural religious and educational institution.

2.     To provide a Centre for native religious figures and traditional tribal leaders to pursue the study and teaching of their own traditions and to foster the culture of tribal peoples.

3.     To provide for clergy and service professional special training programs about Indian culture tradition and indigenous religious movements to lessen cross cultural conflicts.

4.     To foster the evolution co-ordination and modern adaption of the culture of the North American Indian civilizations.

5.     To provide a seat of learning for those of the community generally who seek to further their knowledge of North America Indian civilizations.

SOME ACTIVITIES – 1972 – PRESENT

•  organized and supported a variety of regional meetings of religious leaders throughout North America

C      provided resource people and speakers for conferences

C      since 1985, participated in the Native Ministries Summer School at Vancouver School of Theology

C      advised faculty and students at Vancouver School of Theology as they examined native religious matters and developed the Native Ministries Program which delivers by extension a masters degree for native people preparing for ordination

C      sponsored with the Native Ministries Consortium an elders consultation in Vancouver

C      sponsored the First Robert K. Thomas Memorial Symposium in Vancouver

C      supported the writing and publishing of the book, A Good Cherokee, A Good Anthropologist: Papers in Honour of Robert K. Thomas, ed. Steve Pavlik, American Indian Studies Center, 1998, UCLA Press

C      sponsored in 1991 with Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a, (a Nisga’s post secondary institution) a summer youth camp for Nisga’a youth.

 THE CIS BOARD – 2008

  Carol Nadjiwon, Odawa, President; Jacob Mckay, Nisga’a, Vice President;, Moses McKay, Secretary/Treasurer Jim White, Heiltsuk, Director, Jean Stenhouse, Cree, Director, Director Emeritus, John A. (Ian) Mackenzie, Haida/Nisga’a (Adopted), Terry Anderson.

 THE CIS ADVISORY BOARD – 2008

 Martin Brokenleg, Lakota, Pat Buckley, Coast Salish,  Jose’ (Joe) Cancio, Yoema/Yaqui,  Cecil Corbett, Nez Perce, Arthur Elliot, Ojibway,  Paul Ethelbah, White Mountain Apache, Clara Etsitty, Navaho, Herb George, Wetsueten, , John Hascall, Chippewa, Marlene White Rabbit Helgemo, Ho Chunk, Ted Holappa, L’ance Chippewa, Joe Keeper, Cree,  Jan Longboat, Mohawk Cayuga, Mark Macdonald, Wyandotte, Willard Martin, Nisga’a, Jose (Joe) Miguel, Papago, Rolland Nadjiwon, Potawatomie.  Tommy Nez, Navaho, Aubray Purley, Malasite, Mervin Wolfleg, Siksika

 CENTRE FOR INDIAN SCHOLARS ONGOING PROJECTS

       1.     To explore erecting a memorial to the founders of the Indian Ecumenical Conference

2.     To sponsor a  Robert K. Thomas Memorial Symposium every two years..

3.     To convene a reunion of students, CIC and faculty who attended the Summer Canadian Indian Workshops (1966-1973)

4.     To establish a Joint Centre and Programs in Native American Religions, Spiritualities and Cultures with the Native Ministries Consortium, the Vancouver School of Theology and the Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a

 THE MEMORIAL

 A primary goal of the Centre for Indian Scholars (CIS) is to facilitate communication and reconciliation between First Nations Traditional Religious Leaders and First Nations Christian Religious Leaders.  In the light of the residential school history, this goal takes on a new urgency.

The CIS board feels that erecting a memorial to the founders of the Indian Ecumenical movement will be a catalyst for renewed healing.

The plan is to consult with the Advisory Committee, July, 2008, to recommend and plan a celebration at a future date..

 THE ROBERT K. THOMAS MEMORIAL SYMPOSIUM

 The purpose of the Robert K. Thomas Memorial Symposium is to promote research, reflection, and analysis and dialogue on the culture, history and the many profound issues that face North American indigenous peoples. The CIS plans to hold this symposium every two years and to publish the results.  This Memorial Symposium was established in memory of Robert K. Thomas, a Cherokee, an anthropologist who was a founding member of the 1960s  Summer Workshops on North American Indians held in the United States and Canada, the Indian Ecumenical Conference (IEC) and the Centre For Indian Scholars.   The Robert K. Thomas Memorial Symposium will create an opportunity for presentations on the culture, history and the many profound issues that face North American Indigenous Peoples. There will be academic and oral presentations. The inclusion of our elders in the Robert K. Thomas Memorial Symposium provides an opportunity for interaction and dialogue among Indigenous peoples and with non-aboriginal persons.

 THE CANADIAN INDIAN YOUTH WORKSHOP REUNION

 Robert K. Thomas was a major influence on the development of First Nations leadership in Canada and The United States through the Canadian Indian Summer Workshops.  Many former participants think such workshops are relevant today.  The plan is to hold discussions with former students and former CIYC members  to consider forming a committee to implement a conference reunion. Also, former students will be invited to Symposium.

 THE VISION FOR A NORTH AMERICAN TRIBAL RELIGIOUS STUDIES CENTRE

 In 1991 the Centre for Indian Scholars initiated discussions with the Vancouver School of Theology to explore the creation of  a joint centre. In 1994 the Wilp Wilxo’skwhl Nisga’a and the Native Ministries Consortium joined this discussion.  A steering committee made up of two representatives from each organization was formed and elected Carol Nadjiwon as Chairperson.  A Partnership Agreement and Terms of  Reference were approved on February 4^th, 2003 in Vancouver.

The Agreement

 The Four Partners

C      the Centre for Indian Scholars

C      the Native Ministries Consortium

C      the Wilp Wilxo’oskwl Nisga’a

C      Vancouver School of Theology

 Commit ourselves to the following goals and aspirations

 1.     To establish a consortium of the partners

2.     To develop a Centre and Programs in Native American Religions, Spiritualities and Cultures which will

C      provide an environment for native American religious leaders including Christians, to take counsel about issues facing their nations and communities.

C      foster, develop and encourage native Americans to carry forward their traditions unto the future so tribal nations and societies can survive and flourish, and

C      provide a context for confronting the legacy of colonization.

 The partners have named their project YUU-HADAAX, A Nisga’a word which means “to steer”.

 The immediate goals of the Centre for Indian Scholars for 2008 include the following:

Publication and distribution of the presentations and papers of the July, 2007, God is Still Red Symposium.

To convene a meeting of the CIS Board and its Advisory members and to organize three regional                     meetings of elders.

Convene a workshop of the former members of the Canadian Indian Youth Workshops.

Collating and publishing the materials from the Second R.K. Thomas symposium.

Establishing a memorial to the founders of the Indian Ecumenical Conference.

Planning and implementing the next (2009) symposium.

Establishing local centres to implement the interface between traditional values and local communities and congregations.

The implementation of a Religious  Studies Program in Native American Indigenous Spirituality and Cultures including certificate, diploma and degree programs with the members of Yuu-hadaax

Participation in dialogue with Christian, Jewish, and Islamic leaders to achieve reconciliation among youth through Yuu-hadaax