Native American Members:

Han, Boozhoo, Manam, Greetings, Relatives!

First and foremost, thank you for taking the brave leap into including First Universalist in your spiritual medicine. Within the ways that many Indigenous people of Turtle Island face trauma due to the harm that religious organizations, including Unitarian Universalists, have caused and continue to cause, it is important to recognize that coming to church can be scary, triggering, or sadly, even harmful to people.

In trying to create a more inclusive space for all cultures and to work on repairing the harm caused to Indigenous ancestors, we are starting a conversation around what church could be for you. Coahuiltecan descendant and church member Amelia Marquez proposed the idea of smudging during the time between our two church services. The importance of this tradition and sacred practice is one way that we can create a more spiritually grounding space for our Indigenous beloveds. It also prompts the questions: how do we create the space to respectfully practice Indigenous traditions, allow for non-Native members to pray respectfully with their Indigenous relatives, and respect and honor the sacred medicines of various Indigenous relatives? Native relatives, your voice, spirit, and traditions are sacred, and it is time for First Universalist to honor you, your ancestors, and this land.

To our Native American relatives, we ask for your presence at a gathering and discussion around Indigenous traditions and practices. We will meet with our church team to discuss ideas and how to move forward with including your Indigenous traditions. Please attend this gathering on Thursday, October 30 at the church. We will start at 6:30 with a group smudge followed by a natural and organic discussion about Indigenous practices and traditions that we might honor at church.

Have questions or want to share your ideas but can’t make it to the meeting? Feel free to email Amelia at Amelia.d.marquez [at] proton.me.