REGIONAL CONCERN – NATIVE AMERICANS

At the 1979 Assembly at Valparaiso the students from the Central region presented a regional concern dealing with Native Americans.  They felt that there was a strong need to study the past, where misunderstandings have occurred between the United States Government and Native Americans in an effort to understand some of the attitudes and prejudices we find today.  Through increased communication and dialogue they hope to understand the attitudes, needs, and concerns of Native Americans.  By closing the gap that now exists, we may help each other for the common goal of healing and recreation.

What has happened this past year?

            The students at Northeast Missouri State University have studied these issues on their own as background information.  Through their contact with an Indian affairs group in St. Louis, Missouri, they have heard speakers and have had discussions with Native Americans on their past and their future.  In this next year, the group hopes to be in contact with some national agencies and resources such as National Lutheran Indian Board and the Lutheran Human Relations Association of America.  From these resources they plan to be able to put together a study packet for LSM on Native American concerns.

In other regions . . .

            The Mountain Region chose as their topic Native American concerns, especially focusing on the Indians from their area of the country.

            A special guest of the Dakotas regional was Leo Wilkie, a Native American artist.  He spoke to the group about his life and his people.

            Many local groups have reported working on this issue in various ways throughout the year.