A Presbyterian delegation went to stand in solidarity with Presbyterian Native Americans and others affected by the Dakota Access Pipeline running near Dakota Sioux land. Photo credit: Rick Jones.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) POLICY
Native American tribal sovereignty and treaty rights (1981)
General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessors have affirmed the sovereignty and treaty rights of Native American tribes on numerous occasions. For example, the 193rd General Assembly (1981) of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America called the President of the United States to develop “a national Indian policy that is consistent with the concerns of Indian people for self-determination, tribal sovereignty, economic self-sufficiency, and preservation of treaty rights.”
Other policies on racism, indigenous rights, and environmental justice
Churchwide Conversation on Race, Ethnicity, Racism, and Ethnocentricity This comprehensive policy, approved by the 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), includes a repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery and a call to study the doctrine and its implications
Apology to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians Approved by the 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Witnessing Against Environmental Degradation and Affirming Public Policy to Support Good Stewardship of Natural Resources. Approved by the 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Affirming a Programmatic Review of the Impact of Expanded Coal Exports on Human Health and Well Being. Approved by the 221st General Assembly (2014) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Hazardous Waste, Race, and the Environment. Approved by the 207th General Assembly (1995) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbyterian Native American ministries
- Native American Intercultural Congregational Support, Racial-Ethnic & Women’s Ministries
- Native American Ministries PCUSA Facebook Page
Presbyterian Native American leaders brought a small group to Standing Rock to plant a PCUSA flag on the Avenue of Flags. Photo credit: Rick Jones
Presbyterian News Service and other PC(USA) resources related to Standing Rock concerns
- Trump memorandum on going forward with Dakota Access Pipeline, and Christian leaders response– Jan 24, 2017
- Presbyterian advocacy on Trump memorandum– Jan 2017
- PHP Post, quarterly journal on hunger justice, highlighted 3 articles about Standing Rock in its winter 2016 issue on “faithful witness”
- Elona Street-Stewart, DelawareNanticoke, Synod Executive, Synod of Lakes and Prairies, on Standing Rock solidarity trip (Dec 2016)
- Frequently Asked Questions about #NoDAPL (Nov 2016 – Office of Public Witness)
- From blacksmiths to lawyers, professional services are in demand at Standing Rock (Nov 2016)
- Tear gas and water cannons used on hundreds of activists at Standing Rock (Nov 2016)
- Water protectors at Standing Rock prepare for brutal winter (Nov 2016)
- Two PC(USA) protestors arrested at North Dakota state capitol (Nov 2016)
- PC(USA faith leaders join Standing Rock solidarity gathering (Nov 2016)
- Clergy gather to add solidarity to Standing Rock water protectors (Nov 2016)
- Standing in solidarity with Standing Rock (Oct 2016)
- Presbytery of Yukon offers apology to Native Alaskans (Oct 2016)
- Presbyterian advocacy group issues challenge to ‘raise our collective voice’: Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns calls church to action (Sept 2016)
- Presbytery of Northern Plains sends support to pipeline ‘protectors’ in North Dakota (Sept 2016)
- PC(USA) offers support for Standing Rock Sioux protest in North Dakota – a statement by the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson III, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Rev. Irvin Porter, associate in the Office of Native American Intercultural Congregational Support (Aug 2016)
- Prayer Vigil in Spirit and Solidarity with Standing Rock. This is the order of service used in a November 3, 2016 prayer vigil at the Presbyterian Church Center. Feel free to use as appropriate.
- A call to pray with the Oceti Sakowin for Standing Rock Sioux tribe and their supporters (Oct 2016)
Other related Presbyterian solidarity efforts
- Presbyterians join Lummi Nation to fight fossil fuel projects in the Northwest (Aug 2016)
- Stated Clerk Writes to Army Corps of Engineers about Increased Coal Export in the Pacific NW
- Hymns written on the sacredness of water, permission given for free for those supporting Standing Rock
- Earth Day Sunday in 2017 will focus on Environmental Justice with Indigenous Peoples. Watch here for the Earth Day Sunday resource.
Presbyterians at the PCUSA National Offices gather in prayer for Standing Rock, Nov 2016. Photo credit: Rick Jones.
Other related environmental and Native rights stories from Eco-Justice Journey, the blog of the Office of Environmental Ministries
A New Song: Joining Hands with La Oroya, Peru, and Standing Rock, ND (Dec 2016)
Lummi Totem Pole Ceremony in Sandpoint, Idaho…On to Standing Rock, North Dakota (Sept 2016)
Environmental Justice: Prayerful Solidarity and Faithful Action (Aug 2016)
On behalf of the Lummi Nation and Northwest Native Tribes (May 2015)
Ecumenical statements and resources
GET INVOLVED!
LEARN
Explore the concepts of environmental racism and environmental justice. The Presbyterian Hunger Program and the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People hosted a webinar in November 2017 on the Impact of Environmental Injustice on Low Income and Communities of Color with guest speakers Elona Street-Stewart, Shantha Ready Alonso, and Grace Ji-Sun Kim. Watch this webinar here, or go to our web page that has a workshop outline and a few other video resources.
ACT
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness Action Guide: Support the Standing Rock Sioux #NoDAPL
GIVE
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies has an account to support the water protectors. Make a check payable to: Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Note on check: Dakota Access Pipeline Acct #2087
Synod of Lakes and Prairies
2115 Cliff Drive
Eagan, MN 55122
The synod will send a confirmation to the donor that the funds were received and then information about where they were distributed. Please include name and address on the check.
Note: about Standing Rock\How to be an Ally
If you are thinking about going Standing Rock or taking other solidarity actions around the country, please be mindful, humble, and willing to learn from local communities and leaders. Indigenous leaders have worked with a team of solidarity trainers to create a resource packet of information to read before you go, while you are there, and after you return.