Presentation

[Gerard Willemsen]

Dear all,

It might be nice for new members to be able to present who they are. Let me give this a start.
I was born in the Netherlands, with roots in the Frisian indigenous people. Since 1991 I live in northern Sweden. Or in Sápmi, as the Sámi call their land. From being a professional geologist (paleontology) I switched to be a pastor in the Mission Covenant Church, where I since a numbert of years work on the development of Sámi church life. During the last few years, contacts with several other groups of indigenous Christian were established, and even if situations are different we have many things in common. Contacts with e.g. First Nations, Inuit, Molukkans, Lisu, Miao, etc. have been beneficial for all.

I really hope this will develop to be a place to develop those contacts.

Gerard

[brownie]

Christ The Chief Cornerstone
I wish I knew more about being a Christian and how I can develop myself more in the word and prayer. Sometimes I feel life is hard but being a follower is even harder. I need encouragement due to the fact I'm still waiting for a Christian partner, I think I just gave up. Replies would be appreciated. Thanks

[brownie]

I'm an Indigenous Australian, I did attend the Conference in Kiruna, and enjoyed it very much. I only wish that more time would have been given to present and sharing. Thanks for listening to me and I hope one day soon we can meet or continue to share what God has to give to us in spirit and in word. Thanks

[Gerard Willemsen]

Thank you Brownie
I think I remember you well from the Conference in Kiruna.
I too had liked to have more time to share with all those who were there. Hope we can do that a little bit here.

Bless
gerard

[hushasha40]

Greetings from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. My name is Donald Whipple Fox. I am a member of the Santee Dakota Tribe (now located in Nebraska). My Dakota name is Hushasha which means "Red Legs." I am currently the Executive Director of the Indigenous Theological Training Institute of North America, Inc. (ITTI), a non-profit organisation founded by Native American leadership in the Episcopal Church (USA) in 1996. ITTI provides resources for Native Americans/First People who are called to ordained and lay ministries in the Church. We also advocate for improved environments and processes within the Church that respond to Native Americans/First Peoples in culturally sensitive and relevant ways. Additionally, we produce the annual FIRST PEOPLES THEOLOGY JOURNAL. I am very glad to be part of this ongoing forum in exploration and support of indigenous theologies.

Donald Whipple Fox
Executive Director
Indigenous Theological Training Institute
3044 Longfellow Avenue
Minneapolis MN 55407-1811 USA
612-813-0050
800-818-0466 (toll -ree in USA and Canada)
[e-mail]

[pikuniprof]

My name is Mary Crist. I am an enrolled member of the Pikuni nation in Montana, also called the Blackfeet people in English. Another name we use is Piegan. These are my mother's people. My father was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. He came to the US when he was 18 years old. I am a university professor and dean of the School of Education. Joining an indigenous theology network based in Scandinavia is an integrating experience for me!

[droyals]

Geetings,
My name is Debbie Royals. I am Pascua Yaqui on my mother's side and Cherokee on my dad's side. I was raised up in a Pascua Yaqui village and feel most closely identified to this nation and culture.

I am an Episcopal priest and work in the Dioceses of Los Angeles and Northern California as the Missioner for Native American Ministry Development. I also assist with work in Navajoland and Alaska. At this time I am also the coordinator for Native Ministry in the Province (VIII) which includes Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Arizona, Navajoland, Nevada, Utah and Idaho.

I feel passionately that Native Ministry must begin within the culture of the people and that the overlay of the Episcopal Church is enriched when ministry is done in this way.

My ministry focuses on community development and partner relationships.

I look forward to joining in these discussions.
Blessings,
The Rev. Debbie Royals

[Gerard Willemsen]

Thank you all who presented yourself. As our community grows, we will all benefit more from discussions. We are already representing two continents. This forum can mean a lot for us. I would just encourage all to feel free to start discussions or suggest new categories.

For those who would like to have my contact details I put them here:
Gerard F Willemsen
Fjällgatan 5
98139 Kiruna
Sweden
gerard.willemsen(at)missionskyrkan.se

Something about our work with the Sámi you can find at www.same.net/~girku (partly in english, also in swedish and sámi.)
Greetings from a snowy Sápmi!
Gerard