A
PUBLIC DECLARATION TO THE TRIBAL COUNCILS AND TRADITIONAL SPIRITUAL LEADERS
OF THE INDIAN AND ESKIMO PEOPLES OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
In care of Jewell
Praying Wolf James, Lummi
Seattle, Washington
November 21, 1987
Dear Brothers and
Sisters,
This is a formal
apology on behalf of our churches for their
long-standing participation in the destruction of traditional Native American
spiritual practices. We call upon our people for recognition of and respect for
your traditional ways of life and for protection of your sacred places and
ceremonial objects. We have frequently been unconscious and insensitive and have
not come to your aid when you have been victimized by unjust Federal policies
and practices. In many other circumstances we reflected the rampant racism and
prejudice of the dominant culture with which we too willingly identified.
During the 200th Anniversary year of the United States Constitution we, as
leaders of our churches in the Pacific Northwest, extend our apology. We ask
for your forgiveness and blessing.
As the Creator
continues to renew the earth, the plants, the animals and
all living things, we call upon the people of our denominations and fellowships
to a commitment of mutual support in your efforts to reclaim and protect the
legacy of your own traditional spiritual teachings. To that end we pledge our
support and assistance in upholding the American Religious Freedom Act (P.L.
95-341, 1978, see below) and within that legal precedent affirm the following:
1) The rights of the
Native Peoples to practice and participate in
traditional ceremonies and rituals with the same protection offered
all religions under the Constitution.
2) Access to and
protection of sacred sites and public lands for
ceremonial purposes.
3) The use of
religious symbols (feathers, tobacco, sweet grass, bones,
etc.) for use in traditional ceremonies and rituals.
The spiritual power
of the land and the ancient wisdom of your
indigenous religions can be, we believe, great gifts to the Christian churches.
We offer our commitment to support you in the righting of previous wrongs: To
protect your peoples' efforts to enhance Native spiritual teachings; to
encourage the members of our churches to stand in solidarity with you on these
important religious issues; to provide advocacy and mediation, when appropriate,
for ongoing negotiations with State agencies and Federal officials regarding
these matters.
May the promises of
this day go on public record with all the
congregations of our communities and be communicated to the Native American
Peoples of the Pacific Northwest. May the God of Abraham and Sarah, and the
Spirit who lives in both the cedar and Salmon People be honored and celebrated.
Sincerely,
The Rev. Thomas L.
Blevins, Bishop The Most Rev. Raymond G. Hunthausen
Pacific Northwest Synod - Archbishop of Seatle
Lutheran Church in Ameria Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle
The Rev. Dr. Robert
Bradford The Rev. Elizabeth Knott
Executive Minister Synod Executive
American Baptist Churches of the Presbyterian Church
Northwest Sunod Alaska-Northwest
The Rev. Robert Brock
The Rev. Lowell Knutson, Bishop
N.W. Regional Christian Church North Pacific District
American Lutheran Church
The Right Rev. Robert
H. Cochrane The Most Rev. Thomas Murphy
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Olympia Coadjutor Archbishop
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle
The Rev. W. James
Halfaker The Rev. Melvin G. Talbert, Bishop
Conference Minister United Methodist Church
Washington North Idaho Conference Pacific Northwest Conference
United Church of Christ
*****************************************************************************
PUBLIC LAW
95-341-AUG. 11, 1978 92 STAT. 469
PUBLIC LAW 95-341
95TH Congress
Joint Resolution
American Indian
Religious Freedom Aug. 11, 1978
-------------
[S.J. Res. 102]
Whereas the freedom
of religion for all people is an inherent right,
fundamental to the democratic structure of the United States and
is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution;
Whereas the United
States has traditionally rejected the concept of a
government denying individuals the right to practice their religion
and, as a result, has benefited from a rich variety of religious
heritages in this country;
Whereas the the
religious practices of the American Indian (as well as
Native Alaskan amd Hawaiin) are an integral part of their cultures,
tradition and heritage, such practices forming the basis of Indian
identity and value systems;
Whereas the
traditional American Indian religions, as an integral part
of Indian life, are indispensable and irreplaceable;
Whereas the lack of a
clear, comprehensive, and consistent Federal
policy has often resulted in the abridgment of religious freedom
for traditional American Indians;
Whereas such
religious infringements result from the lack of knowledge
or the insensitive and inflexible enforcement of Federal policies
and regulations premised on a variety of laws:
Whereas such laws
were designed for such worthwhile purposes as
conservation and preservation of natural species and resources
but were never intended to relate to Indian religious practices
and, therefore, were passed without consideration of their effect
on traditional American Indian religions;
Whereas such laws and
policies often deny American Indians access to
sacred sites required in their religions, including cemeteries;
Whereas such laws at
times prohibit the use and possession of sacred
objects necessary to the exercise of religious rites and ceremonies;
Whereas traditional
American Indian ceremonies have been intruded
upon, interfered with, and in a few instances banned:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled. That henceforth it shall be the
policy of the United States to protect and preserve for American
Indians thier inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and
exercise the traditional religions of the American Indian, Eskimo,
Aleut, and Native Hawaiians, including but not limited to access to
sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to
worship through ceremonial and traditional rites.
