Partnering with Amerinda
AFSC - AMERINDA Friendship
Throughout history, there are shamefully few examples
of non-Natives treating American Indians with respect.
Modern American Indian tribes struggle for economic
prosperity, cultural identity, and basic civil rights
that have been violated for centuries. In this history,
the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) has played
varying roles with Native Americans; sometimes partners
and advocates, and sometimes well-intentioned but misguided
caretakers. But Quakers can distinguish themselves
as having never taken up arms against Native Americans,
who in turn have never been violent to Friends. Sometimes
Quaker involvement was inappropriate to the needs of
Indians, but overall, Quakers and Native Americans
have enjoyed a relationship marked largely by peace,
cooperation, and mutual respect.
A brief narrative, written from a Quaker perspective,The
Peaceful
People and the First Nations (pdf)
is an overview of the longstanding and unique connection
between Friends and American Indians. It celebrates
the friendship and cooperation between them, and offers
understanding of the mistakes of the past.
The American Friends Service Committee and AMERINDA
Friendship began in 1997 when AMERINDA sought a suitable
professional home to fulfill a dream of service to
Native people. Aware of the long-standing friendship
between Quakers and Native peoples, AMERINDA established
a relationship with the AFSC, which welcomed the Native
community into its offices. Another chapter in the
unique relationship between the two groups has now
been written. AFSC believes in not imposing solutions
but enabling others to strengthen and stabilize their
own communities from within. AFSC's support has enabled
AMERINDA to: create a website (www.amerinda.org); publish
Talking Stick Native Arts Quarterly and two volumes of creative non-fiction, Genocide of the Mind: New Native American Writing and Soverign Bones; produce The Reawakening, a
feature film;
organize numerous cultural events and; expand services
to Native artists including a comprehensive web-based Native American Artists Roster of New City and the surrounding area.
In celebration of and gratitude for the substantial support
AMERINDA received from AFSC, AMERINDA presented the
AFSC with The
Peaceful People and the First Nations mural (pdf)
in November 2000.
^ Top of page |
Email this page