Issues: Native American Advocacy
Excerpts from Faith Statements on Tribal Sovereignty
"The American Friends Service Committee strongly supports the right to self-determination in the [United Nations] Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As affirmed in Articles 3 and 4 of the Draft Declaration, inherent in the rights of indigenous people is the right to self-determination. Indigenous peoples have the right to determine freely their political status and their economic and cultural development. They have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, economic, social, and cultural characteristics, as well as their rights to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social, and cultural life of the nation-states in which they reside."
from Statement of the American Friends Service Committee Regarding the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the World, 1997
"Underlying all efforts to work toward solutions of issues affecting the lives of Native Americans is the basic concern for justice. Christian love can never be less than justice...We recognize that the unique relationship between Indian nations and the United States Government makes it essential that we keep abreast of federal and state legislation and regulations affecting Native American Indian nations. We must promote the passage and implementation of legislation that enables Native American Indian self-determination and self-development and that maintains Indian rights...We believe that the United States government has both a moral and legal duty to faithfully keep the trust relationship existing between it and Native American Indians. This relationship is a partnership insuring that Native American Indian tribes have the tools and resources needed for political and cultural survival."
from American Baptist Policy Statement on Native American Indians, 1979
"Whereas Church Women United, since its inception in 1941, has been committed to building a just and equitable society for all persons...
Be it further resolved that Church Women United supports Native peoples in their struggles to reclaim land and other resources lost through theft and fraud...
Be it further resolved that Church Women United encourages and supports indigenously-based development programs that meet the needs of Native peoples within their own cultural values and framework of tribal government..."
from Policy Statement on Native Americans, Church Women United, 1996
"The American Indian Christian community declares that the gospel of Jesus Christ demands that we, as a People, be freed from the yoke and mantle of traditions and structures that have and continue to contribute to the disintegration of our cultural heritage, communal harmony and the God given right to self determination as children of the Creator and sisters and brothers in Christ."
from the Christian Church, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, International Council of Community Churches, Presbyterian Church (USA), Roman Catholic Church Tekawitha Conference, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, 1997
"Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the National Committee on Indian Work be instructed by the 68th General Convention of the Episcopal Church to request all agencies of the Church to advocate and support the honoring of all Indian treaty rights and the right of internal autonomy and self-determination of Indian Nations and Tribes."
from General Convention, Episcopal Church, 1985
"Since the first Quakers came to this continent, Friends have sought to live a 'kind, just, and peaceful life' [William Penn] with Native peoples. In this spirit, we encourage Congress to maintain respectful relations with American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Federal policies should recognize that Native Americans reserved certain aboriginal rights to themselves, even as their lands were being taken over by people from other countries and cultures...The tribal governments established by Native Americans are entitled to set policies that govern life on reservations and that impact tribal members who live off reservations. The federal government should relate directly to tribal governments, respecting their sovereignty with respect to state and local governments. Federal legislation and policies that affect Native Americans should enable them to direct their own lives, control their own lands and resources, and govern their own communities."
from Statement of Policy, Friends Committee on National Legislation, 1994
"MCC U.S. Ministries approaches this work in a spirit of humility and with a desire for continuing dialogue and learning. As Jesus met people’s needs, so MCC U.S. Ministries desires to work with Indian people in a reciprocal manner. MCC U.S. Ministries seeks to support in a creative way the rights of Indian people to justice, equity, opportunity, and cultural spiritual heritage."
from Native American Statement For Mennonite Central Committee, 1978
"The communions constituent to the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. have a history of concern and theological commitment to the Native American tribes of this country. This is not accidental but is grounded in love and justice of God... The National Council of Churches of Christ recognizes that Indian peoples must have the freedom to seek full lives--spiritually, culturally, economically and politically--as individuals, as communities, and as nations."
from National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., A Policy Statement Adopted by the Governing Board, 1978
"BECAUSE Unitarian Universalists affirm justice, equality and compassion in human relations...
BECAUSE we have much to learn from indigenous peoples about respect, responsibility, and living in harmony with one another and with the earth...
BE IT...RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association encourages its member congregations and individual Unitarian Universalists to support discussion of treaties protecting native lands, advocating that:
1. treaties be regarded as inviolate;
2. compensation for lands taken be provided; and
3. sovereignty of indigenous peoples be supported..."
from the Unitarian Universalists, 1993
"The United Methodist Church calls its congregations to...furnish support for...The right of native people to be self-determining and to make their own decisions related to the use of their lands and the natural resources found on and under them... The right of American Indian nations to exercise the sovereignty of nationhood, consistent with treaty provisions..."
from The United Methodist Church and America’s Native People, 1980
