I know there are some who have questioned our purpose thinking we are duplicating an effort already existent. We have been led to believe that our outreach effort is unique and necessary based on the statistics we have been presented with. These statistics pose a unique problem which we and a few others are trying to breach. I awoke this morning feeling that I needed to make a better explanation of why Dawnland Native Ministries exists. This is what came to me to write: Dawnland Native Ministries I have friends who question the need for an effort defined by those of us who want to advance Dawnland Native Ministries purpose. These friends question why we don’t align ourselves and work with religious groups already in place on the reservations many of whom have at least two hundred years experience on the reservations. I woke up this morning thinking I need to provide an explanation. My wife and I have traveled extensively in Indian Country. We have done this feeling that the Creator wanted us to be aware of a glaring statistic. We have attended church services on the reservations in those churches that have been in place for many years verifying the statistics by our own eyes and experience. The glaring statistic is this: despite the long term efforts of both Protestant and Catholic Church organizations is the fact that less than five per cent of a population of over six million people attend any church at all. We looked to the Creator questioning why and we believe the Creator has revealed why this statistic. The first reason is that most of these church organizations operated a boarding school. Because the churches were under contract to the federal government and held to the government policy defined by the statement “kill the Indian, but save the human.” Many of these church organizations had a history of physical and sexual abuse perpetrated by the idea that we were neither human nor animal. We were defined by a church council held around the year 1800 that gave us the alter identification as their “wards” and as such, we became “wards” of the federal government. Because we were neither human nor animal we had no legal status under the Constitution of the United States. No one felt any moral obligation to a “ward” as they might a fellow human being. Secondly, we were assigned as “savage, pagan, godless, bloodthirsty heathens.” There was little comprehension of our efforts to defend our homeland, tribal nations, and families against an invasion. This invasion includes the treatment that continued on the newly formed reservations through government controls and the presence of the religious who operated the Indian boarding schools. Thirdly, our culture, traditions and the ceremonies we practiced were interpreted under the western influence and we, as a people, were in need of their definition of conversion. What really developed out of all of this was an oppression designed to culturally and traditionally disenfranchise us. It would be necessary for the authorities to change our identity and allegiances in a system designed for our assimilation into western civilization. Having been introduced to the Creator at a young age despite never having read the Bible or attended church, meeting and marrying Barb, and our mutual enlightenment after working together in a Native treatment facility and identifying core issues among our people, we started Dawnland Native Ministries. I had been a minister for twenty five years and became aware of the glaring statistic I have already mentioned. We also knew by our experiences in the church fellowships already established on the reservations there was little sensitivity to the core issues Barb and I were led to identify in the Native treatment program. We began an initiative to draw attention to these core issues and were met with a lot of resistance. We wanted to work through some of those programs already established, but we were met with the idea that we needed to join those programs already in place and do what they were doing. We could not reconcile this in our hearts or in our minds. I had thousands of hours of research and study behind me and the compelling evidence that most efforts had been ineffective. I am not castigating those church and social organizations that had been in place for a long period of time, but drawing attention to the fact that all the efforts have been relatively ineffective. So, Barb and I launched the effort we have titled “Dawnland Native Ministries.” We were not absolutely sure of ourselves, but wanted to try to address the need we saw. We sold what property we had and directed what assets we could to expand the knowledge and purpose of Dawnland Native Ministries. One church allowed us to come and do a presentation and understood why we were making this commitment. They invited us to bring Dawnland Native Ministries under their 501 3c non-profit umbrella. To us, this was a gift from the Creator providing us with a benefit we did not have and continuing to encourage us to stay the course we had been put on. We were invited to visit a couple of Native churches, one on the San Carlos Apache Reservation where we met a precious couple by the name of Pastor Billy and Rita Grant. Billy shared with us that he had been a member of one church organization for 20 years and another for 15 years and neither had made much effort to become aware of Billy and Rita’s struggles. The church they pastor has a congregation of around fifty people. When we got ready to leave Billy grabbed my arm and said, “Please don’t forget us! You are the first spirit-filled Native man to ever come by here!” I felt the Creator was confirming to me that if any work on the reservations was going to be effective they would be under the leadership and ministry of a Native. Since that time we have seen a family move to Hot Springs, South Dakota and begin an effort there. The last time I spoke to Pastor Clinton Keifer he shared that he is ministering in four different locations each week. Barb and I financially support both efforts on a monthly basis. One of the issues any effort directed to a reservation will face is the poverty conditions they will be living in. Many reservations are remote with little, if any, employment, so if something is going to be initiated it has to be financially supported. In our next missionary effort we are going to live out of a motor home and be able to remain in these remote areas and introduce ourselves and our purpose. On our first journey we made contact with a number of churches along the way with no response from any of them. I know part of the issue was that we were an unidentified entity and we had no connection or endorsement by any church organization. The only reputation we have is through those places we have been allowed to introduce ourselves and the effects that have been realized. We are also an independent ministry adding to any suspicion. We believe this all has happened to direct our efforts. When we went directly to the People we had a greater impact and were at the source of the glaring statistic. We believe we can change that statistic by creating a Native ministerial organization that can be more easily identified with. We can initiate training programs and licensing for those who are qualified to and sensitive to the needs of the People. Our sole purpose is to advance the knowledge of who Jesus Christ is and His love for our Native brothers and sisters. We have already seen a great impact through our efforts confirming the need for our existence and encouraging us to continue this effort. We have asked for support seeking those who would be moved to become partners with us by donating to Dawnland Native Ministries. We have been told our effort is unique and uncharted by most religious organizations indicating we are in rarified air. Because there are no manuals addressing what we are doing or the need we have identified we will develop one when we are no longer able to continue our involvement. It is our hope and prayer that when that day comes there will be those in place who will continue Dawnland Native Ministries effort and advancement. We hope that this explanation offers you some definition of who we are, why we are and what we are trying to do. We love and appreciate everyone. If you have any questions please direct them to [email protected]. Miigwech (many thanks) Warren and Barb Petoskey Send contributions to: Dawnland Native Ministries 10259 Kiizhik Dr. Apt-A-3 Charlevoix, MI 49720
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