"Let us say NO to forms of colonialism old and new. Let us say YES to the encounter between peoples and cultures. Blessed are the peacemakers. Here I wish to bring up an important issue. Some may rightly say, “When the Pope speaks of colonialism, he overlooks certain actions of the Church”. I say this to you with regret: many grave sins were committed against the native peoples of America in the name of God. My predecessors acknowledged this, CELAM has said it, and I too wish to say it. Like Saint John Paul II, I ask that the Church “kneel before God and implore forgiveness for the past and present sins of her sons and daughters”. I would also say, and here I wish to be quite clear, as was Saint John Paul II: I humbly ask forgiveness, not only for the offenses of the Church herself, but also for crimes committed against the native peoples during the so-called conquest of America.

I also ask everyone, believers and nonbelievers alike, to think of those many bishops, priests and laity who preached and continue to preach the Good News of Jesus with courage and meekness, respectfully and pacifically; who left behind them impressive works of human promotion and of love, often standing alongside the native peoples or accompanying their popular movements even to the point of martyrdom." 

-Pope Francis, Two Rivers Report

 

Please see the recent statement from the Bishop of Rapid City

https://www.rapidcitydiocese.org/wounded-knee-decision/

Our current Newsletter of the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church can be found here: https://conta.cc/4qe1p6u

You may find Fr. Bailey's article "Invisible No More," included in the newsletter, here: Fall Winter 2025 Newsletter - Invisible No More | USCCB.

We Have a New Resource

We have a new resource at Native Affairs and it comes from Maria DesJarlait. Maria is a truly wonderful person. She is a member of two tribes, the Arikara and Anishnaabe (Ojibwa). She was raised on the Fort Berthold reservation in North Dakota and also has roots on the Red Lake reservation in Minnesota. She is a school teacher and an author who has just written her newest children’s book, I Am Not A Costume. 

This amazing book tells the story of Ayasha, a young Native girl who was deeply hurt when her non-Native classmates dressed up in Indian costumes for Halloween. Her response was to take the opportunity to teach her classmates about Native culture and why certain symbols and regalia are important to Native people. This book is the perfect message to promote during this season. Check our Resources tab for a link to where you can find this awesome new book.  https://www.usccb.org/committees/native-american-affairs/other-resources

 

The Church & Indian Country Podcast on YouTube

Maria DesJarlait (Arikara/ Anishnaabe) speaks with Fr. Bailey about her new book “I Am Not a Costume.” They also talk about the importance of eliminating stereotypes, the need to respect Native culture, Native identity issues, church boarding school history, and race relations between indigenous and non-indigenous. Maria shares the amazing story of how her battles with cancer and back-to-back heart-attacks led her to start a movement #Iamnotacostume.

https://youtu.be/YUbuKxTqmY8?si=tGwFApZtLBnMYSB8

 

For a full list of all episodes of The Church & Indian Country Podcast, click the link: The Church & Indian Country Podcast - YouTube

 

Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise

Dear friends in Christ,

Welcome to the work of The Bishop's Subcommittee on Native American Affairs and its website.  The Subcommittee's mission and ministry is to assist and support each other in the challenges and joys that the ministry to the First People present.

Jesus Christ guides us in healing the history of injuries and many historical past conflicts of our Country toward the Native American Nations.  We as our diverse Church community embrace this mission with all of the saints who have gone before us especially Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. Through Catholic Education, Parish leadership and Church evangelization ministry we develop mutual trust and cultural respect.

For those Christ has called to this ministry there is joy and wonder in encountering Christ in the people and families that make up such a rich tapestry of culture, spirituality and grace.


 

SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS

 

The Subcommittee Mandate

The subcommittee on Native American Affairs is under the direction of and assists the Committee on Cultural Diversity within the Church by working directly with the standing committee and collaboratively with other USCCB committees to address the pastoral concerns of Native American (North American Aboriginals) Catholics to affirm the gifts and contributions of Native American Catholics and to provide more opportunities for Native American Catholics to engage in the life of the Church and help shape its evangelization mission.


This mandate includes the following areas of responsibility:
The subcommittee is directly responsible for outreach to Native American Catholics under the direction of the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church.

 

 

The best of the USCCB,
right in your inbox

Sign Up for Our Email Newsletter

JOIN NOW

Featured Stories

Load More