by The Rev. Canon Debbie Royals
November is nationally recognized as Native American Heritage Month. During Native American Heritage Month, we are invited to explore the heritage, culture, and experience of Native Americans both historically and in America today, while also sharing the various ways Native Americans contribute to our present life. America is a vast land of many cultures dating back thousands of years to the original inhabitants of the land. More than 5 million Native Americans live in the United States as members of 574 federally recognized and 63 state-recognized tribes. That number is projected to rise to 10 million by 2060. A federally recognized tribe is a sovereign entity with a government-to-government relationship with the United States, as well as the rights of self-governance in such areas as tribal law and taxation. About half of Native Americans live on reservations, of which there are about 326, comprising roughly 56.2 million acres.
Arizona is home to 22 Federally recognized tribes and about 332,273 members according to the 2020 US Census. That puts us as the state with the largest number of Native Americans followed by California and Oklahoma. Arizona also has the highest proportion of land allocated to Native American reservations, at 28%, five of the twelve largest reservations in the US and the largest number of Native American language speakers in the United States
It is not unusual to hear mixed reactions from Native Americans about this month and its significance. Some celebrate the opportunity to share the deep richness of our identity. While others continue to be frustrated with the invisibility, objectification, and ongoing racism we experience every month of the year – dishonoring our history.
We must ask ourselves this question then. “Is November the only month that we are called to Remember, Recognize, Reconcile and engage in Relationships with our Native American siblings?
We are challenged by systems that continue to minimalize, marginalize and even erase our history in Arizona. Even as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, a story that misrepresents the encounters and interactions of the settlers with those whose origins have always been here persists. We face challenges to be good stewards of the earth while also failing to preserve sacred sites and the resources our Creator gifted to all – the two-legged, the four-legged, those that swim, and those that fly. We are challenged to listen to the stories first-hand, up-close and personal opting instead for reading books and watching movies as a way to know our neighbors. We attend cultural presentations, powwows, and markets seeing them as entertainment rather than intentionally engaging in the deep spiritual meaning and connectedness within God’s creation.
The Diocese of Arizona has been a leader in putting into action steps toward building relationships with our Native American siblings. In 2016 we passed a resolution requiring all congregations to include a Land Acknowledgement at the beginning of every gathering and worship service. Not all congregations have implemented this as yet. In 2019 we added a prayer for each of the forms of Prayers of the People found in the Book of Common Prayer but not many have included them as a part of our worship services. These are both primary steps of living into our mission to Remember, Recognize, Reconcile and Relate.
Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland has published a report on the Boarding School history in the United States. It revealed Arizona as having the second-largest number of boarding schools in the US. This year at our Diocesan Convention a resolution passed unanimously to research and listen to how Arizona contributed to historical trauma caused by Boarding Schools. We have already begun this research and it will continue through 2023.
The Council for Native American Ministry has grown from the initial two or three congregations with Native American Ministry to more than 10. It is open to everyone (Episcopal or not – Native or not). We meet quarterly and are hosted by congregations who share their Native American ministry with us.
Our Diocese continues the work of Remembering, Recognizing, Reconciling, and Relationships through our Anti-racism training which has been designed to include Arizona’s history with Native Americans (and others). Honoring Native American history, culture and tradition is not only a November commemoration but one that requires our intentionality every month if we are to be a Beloved community of God.
13 comments on “November is Native American Heritage Month… Or is it?”
Thank you for this piece, Reverend Debbie. It is so important to be informed so that we can halt the injustices, encourage healing, be in relationship, and seek justice where needed.
Amen Sister
This article speaks to published additions to all versions of the Prayers of the People to be used for the Land Acknowledgement as well as for the Indigenous tribes in AZ. I tried to search for this information on the Diocesan web site but had no luck finding the actual documents. Can you help me with locating this?
Hi Vicky, you should be able to find this information on the Council for Native American Ministry page: https://azdiocese.org/native-american-ministry/ or email The Rev. Canon Debbie Royals at debbie@azdiocese.org
good history .. from a well informed canon ..
Dear Reverend Debbie,
Being a city boy I really never had any interaction with anyone from the Native American Community until I lived in northern Michigan. It was there that I met a gentleman from the Ottawa/Chippewa Community in Peshawbetown. We became very good friends and had many in-depth conversations. He was such a gentle man and I cherish our friendship to this day. He told me how he and his friends would be chased out of local businesses when they were growing up and he was happy when we were together because he could go into those businesses when we were together and not be harassed. The racism still existed into his adulthood. I learned of his struggles and desires during this period. I would have loved to have learned more but I had to move on, as I have to now. He and I had one thing in common, we want all to be equal and treat each other as equals. But we were not equal, because he was on a higher plane than me.
Peace Reverend Debbie
John,
He may be on a higher plane than you, but you treated him with respect and honor that many did not. It makes all the difference.
WoW !!!
Rev. Debbie, ‘top of the mornin to you’. I am so very proud of you and your ancestry and those of the other Native Americans. I have learnt quite a lot if I may say so since residing here in Tempe, Az after moving here from a Big City-The Big Apple-New York City- with my work-Chase Bank who transferred me here. Prior to my many other activities in life, I was a Franciscan Friar for years and during that time myself along with some other brothers( Society of St. Francis and Sisters from the (Community of St.Francis) did a 6 weeks mission on the Navajo Reservation, and the Hopi Reservation. There’s much more to tell, but time does not permit.
May God continue to richly bless you in & with your daily Ministry and hopefully some day all of America/Americans would be able to embrace all Races, Nationalities, people of color etc. God Bless.(Br. Patrick Damian,SSF.) my Franciscan name.
” I forgot one thing: The Church of the Epiphany in Tempe, from the beginning of this year has introduced the Prayer for Indigenous peoples at the beginning of our Eucharistic services ; also the Prayers of the people have also been updated. Cudos Epiphany. “
I grew up friends with Navajo children who were family to me and a Cherokee family who all became Native American leaders, e.g. John Echohawk. Helen Greyeyes , mother of eight was my second mom. She worked as mom’s helper because my mom was one of the few working mothers in my town. She was of few words and a little severe, but I loved her.. One of her elder daughters was my best friend. She was bunny and funny and we enjoyed a sleepover on my graduation night. Helen’s eldest daughter was abducted , raped and murdered by gas field workers who were never prosecuted. These relationships have shaped my life and I can’t imagine not having had them. Peace and love for all of us! Thank you for being in our community at St. Andrew’s and keeping us aware. Yvonne
I meant to write my best friend was “bubbly” and funny! 🙏
Dear Rev. Debbie,
I was very touched by your article and thank you so much for publishing it.
As an Episcopalian and as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, I would like to ask your permission to read this at our next DAR meeting.
We have an item on our agenda that is reserved to speak on our Native American sisters and brothers and this is exactly what we need to hear.
I thank you in advance for your consideration of my request.
Blessings,
Cheryl Tardy- Albin
Green Valley, AZ
Reverend Canon Debbie Royals
Very nice article with great information about our Native American Community. Marge and I now reside in Livingston Texas at an Independent Living Care Center. Remembering our project together in Tucson to teach Native American children to play Native American Style Flutes bring back proud memories.
Hugs Carl and Marge Perry