Smoke Signals
November 1990
page 5
A Public Declaration to the Tribal Councils and Traditional
Spiritual Leaders of the Indian and Eskimo Peoples
of the Pacific Northwest
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 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 domi
nant culture with which we too willingly identified.
During this 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 Free
dom Act (P.L. 95-134, 1978) 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. . , . v : , i .
(3) The use of religious symbols (feathers, tobacco,
sweet grass, bone, 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 commit
ment 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 impor
tant 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 communions 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, Pacific Northwest Synod, Lutheran Church in
America
The Rev. Dr. Robert Bradford
Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of the
Northwest
The Rev. Robert Brock
N.W. Regional Christian Church
The Right Rev. Robert H. Cochrane
Bishop, Episcopal Diocess of Olympia
The Rev. W. James Halfaker, Conference Minister
Washington North Idaho Conference,
United Church of Christ
The Most Rev. Raymond G. Hunthausen
Archbishop of Seattle
The Rev. Lowell Knutson
s Bishop, Nortfy Pacific District,
American Lutheran Church
The Most Rev. Thomas Murphy
Coadjutor Archbishop,
Roman Catholic Archdiocess of Seattle
The Rev. Mikra G. Talbert
Bishop, United Methodist Church, Pacific Northwest
Conference
Courtesy of Americans Before Columbus.
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For Information about child neglect, write:!
Northwest Indian Child Welfaxcissociatlori,
. co Regie 1 Research institute, P.O. Box? 751,
Portland, CC-n 97207 Jw
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Take A Look at This!
The following is just a sample of what our people
were subjected to in those early days when the
white man first came to our land.
Department of the Interior,
Office of Indian Affairs,
Washington, January 11,1902
The Superintendent,
Grande Ronde School & Agency, Oregon.
Sir;
This Office desires to call your attention to a few
customs among the Indians which, it is believed, should
be modified or discontinued. .
The wearing of long hair by the male population of
your agency is not in keeping with the advancement they
are making, or will soon be expected to make, in
civilization. The wearing of short hair by the males will
be a great step in advance and will certainly hasten their
progress towards civilization. The returned male
student far too frequently goes back to the reservation
and falls into the old custom of letting his hair grow
long. He also paints profusely and adopts all the old
habits and customs which his education in our industrial
schools has tried to eradicate. The fault docs not lie so
much with the schools as with the conditions found on
the reservations. These conditions are very often due to
the policy of the Government toward the Indian and are
often perpetuated by the Superintendent's not caring to
take the initiative in fastening any new policy on his ad
ministration of the affairs of the agency.
On many of the reservations the Indians of both sexes
paint, claiming that it keeps the skin warm in winter and
cool in summer; but instead, this paint melts when the
Indian perspires and runs down into the eyes. The use
of this paint leads to many diseases of the eyes among
those Indians who paint. Persons who have given
considerable thought and investigation to the subject are
satisfied that this custom causes the majority of the cases
of blindness among the Indians of the United States.
You are therefore directed to induce your male Indians
to cut their hair, and both sexes to stop painting. With
some of the Indians this will be an easy matter; with
others it will require considerable tact and perseverance
on the part of yourself and your employees to success
fully carry out these instructions. With your Indian em
ployees and those Indians who draw rations and supplies
it should be an easy matter, as a non-compliance with
this order may be made a reason for discharge or for
withholding rations and supplies. Many may be induced
to comply with the order voluntarily, especially the re
turned student. The returned students who do not
comply voluntarily should be dealt with summarily.
Employment, supplies, etc., should be withdrawn until
they do comply and if they become obstreperous about
the matter a short confinement in the guard-house at
hard labor, with shorn locks, should furnish a cure. Cer
tainly all the younger men should wear short hair and it
is believed that by tact, perseverance, firmness, and
withdrawal of supplies the Superintendent can induce all
to comply with this order.
The wearing of citizen's clothing, instead of the Indian
costume and blanket, should be encouraged.
Indian dances and so-called Indian feasts should be
prohibited. In many cases these dances and feasts are
simply subterfuges to cover degrading acts and to
disguise immoral purposes. You are directed to use
your best efforts in the suppression of these evils.
On or before June 30, 1902, you will report to this
Office the progress you have made in carrying out the
above orders and instructions.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.