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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
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October 2004 |
Reflections of a Hoosier Native American on the new museum
Upon the opening of the new National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., Together contacted the Rev. John Adams, pastor or the Dale United Methodist Church and a Native American, to hear his reaction about the museum.
Asking what this museum meant to him, Adams responded: "The opening of the museum is very important to me. It shows progress in recognizing the Native Americans as a people. And, it is important because previously in the United States the approach to Native Americans has either been one of assimilation into the dominant culture or one of unwillingness to face the fact there are conquered peoples here in America."
Adams said he was unable to attend the opening but looked forward to visiting the museum in the future.
He saw this event as a positive direction for Native Americans and said, "This is a major step in recognition for Native Americans and empowerment as a legitimate culture within contemporary American culture."
As for barriers we as United Methodists still need to overcome to be an accepting and open church in relation to Native Americans, Adams said, "It is important to realize that Native Americans have a spiritual belief system that is compatible with Christianity. We believe that the Great Spirit created heaven and earth and all that is alive. We believe that there is a presence of evil but that God, the Great Spirit, intends for all of humankind to have a relationship with our Creator and to pursue good. There are a lot of misconceptions about Native American spirituality."
Adams is a member of the Shawnee Tribe. He said that most of the time he attends the annual tribal council meeting in Oklahoma. In light of his tribe, he said, "We struggle with economic development and what direction a modern American Indian tribe should go. Our tribal leaders are both male and female. Our women are highly respected. Hollywood often portrays us as unruly savages, but that is far from true. We seek to live in harmony with creation and all peoples.
"Native Americans have a spiritual view of life. We are all a part of 'the web of life.' That means every part of life is connected, and every part of creation is connected."
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008