Council for Native American Ministry

The Council for Native American Ministry respects and supports the diverse people who have cared for this land from the beginning of time. We seek to remember, recognize, reconcile, and build relationships that build community and understanding.

To be notified by email of upcoming meetings, email the Rev. Canon Debbie Royals, Canon for Native American Ministries.

2024 Listening and Healing Pilgrimage

2024 Pilgrimage Schedule

In the spring of 2023,  the Council for Native American Ministry having coordinated this effort with Bishop Reddall, began to set in motion the study of the boarding schools located in Arizona. But even more importantly, to establish a Pilgrimage system where we would invite the diocese to listen to the stories and experiences of survivors and their families.

Six to eight survivors/family members/tribal representatives will be invited to share at each site. A local spiritual leader will be invited to open our gathering in prayer followed by introductions. We will spend as much time as needed for the guests to speak and share while we listen. A meal will be shared and the day will close with prayer and the gifting of Prayer Quilts (see information about Prayer Quilts). 

You are invited to consider attending all or some of these gatherings. Accommodations are being arranged for those who travel and may need overnight accommodation. It would be helpful in planning the space and food if you would let us know your intention to attend. Please email debbie@azdiocese.org The Rev Canon Debbie Royals, Canon for Native American Ministry, Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. A Primer on the US Federal Boarding Schools and the church’s response is available online.

Prayer Quilts

Quilters and Quilting Ministries are being invited to participate in the 2024 Boarding School
Pilgrimage by creating Prayer Quilts to be gifted to survivors, families of survivors, and tribal
representatives who will be sharing their stories with us at each of the Pilgrimage sites. Click below to learn the full details and how you can participate in creating these offerings.

Handbook

The Council for Native American Ministry Handbook is a guide for congregations to establish the ministry and develop relationships with the 22 Federally recognized tribes across the Arizona Diocese.

Council for Native American Ministry Facebook Group

Interested in learning more about the Council for Native American Ministries? Join our Facebook Group for regular updates. You must be a resident of Arizona to participate in this group.

Land Acknowledgement

In 2016 the diocese passed a resolution requiring each congregation to recognize the traditional people of the land where the congregation resides. This resolution states that a Land Acknowledgment to the traditional people of the land is appropriate at the beginning of gatherings of worship, meetings, or otherwise. Specific prayers and language are included in the Council for Native American Ministry Handbook.

Indigenous Peoples Day Liturgy

These prayers are offered to the congregations of the diocese to honor Indigenous Peoples Day. In 2019 the diocese took the bold step of acknowledging the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day. The language and prayer style is authentic and reflective of the deep and abiding relationship between God’s people on this land and God our Creator. You are invited to use this liturgy in its entirety or to incorporate prayers into your Sunday worship order.

In 2019, an additional resolution was passed to provide land recognition prayers of the people from the book of common prayer. Each of the 6 forms of the Common prayer has an added prayer they can use for land acknowledgment. However, these prayers are not a replacement for an official land acknowledgment before any gathering. Please make sure to attribute these prayers to the author.

Arizona Native American Tribes

• Heard Museum: Arizona Indian Communities
• Arizona’s Federally Recognized Tribes

Contact

For questions or more information about this ministry, please contact:

The Rev. Canon Debbie Royals
Canon for Native American Ministries
debbie@azdiocese.org
or 520-907-0616