Native Peoples

Silence is complicity: Responding to racist mascots

The recent effort by President Trump to revive the former names of two professional sports franchises is traumatic for Native Americans.

Mission and Ministry

Bjørn-Gunnar Andersen. Photo courtesy of the author.

Looking back at church’s long history with the Sámi people

On Feb. 6-9, 1917, the Methodist Church in Trondheim, Norway, hosted the first Sámi assembly.

Mission and Ministry

The Rev. Jon Erik Bråthen (left) enjoys chatting with everyone he meets. Based at Porsangmoen near Lakselv in Finnmark, Norway, Bråthen is a military chaplain whose “congregants” include Sámi-speaking peoples who practice semi-nomadic reindeer herding. Photo courtesy of Emil Skartveit.

Military chaplain protects, promotes Sámi rights

In Norway, the Rev. Jon Erik Bråthen reaches out to Sámi-speaking peoples, whose best-known means of livelihood is semi-nomadic reindeer herding.

Human Rights

The Itchy Dog Singers opened a peaceful rally with a drum circle at the state Capitol in Harrisburg on May 1. Members of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania gathered to remind legislators that it is time to give them legal status as a recognized tribe. Photo courtesy of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

United Methodists join rally to recognize indigenous tribe

On May 1, members of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania gathered for a peaceful rally on the steps of the state Capitol in Harrisburg. They were there to ask legislators to give them legal status as a recognized tribe.

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