Conference explores indigenous history

[Historical Society of the Episcopal Church press release] Over 100 participants from the United States, Canada and Great Britain gathered June 14-17, 2016 in Oneida, Wisconsin to explore the historical relationship between the Episcopal Church and Indigenous Peoples. Participants learned about the Oneida Nation including the Church of the Holy Apostles, the oldest Episcopal Indian mission in North America, experienced the loss of Indigenous land through the centuries through the Blanket Exercise and celebrated the joy of the God the Creator in music and dance.

The Tri-History Conference is held every three years and is co-sponsored by the Episcopal Women’s History Project (EWHP), the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church (HSEC) and the National Episcopal Historians and Archivists (NEHA). This year’s theme was “Wondering, Witness/Worship, and War: Historical Encounters between the Episcopal and Anglican Church and Indigenous Peoples in North America.”

Eighteen presentations and three workshops covered a variety of topics such as interaction of Indigenous Peoples with the Episcopal Church and Anglican Church of Canada, the use of hymnody in Native cultures, the role archives played in uncovering legacy of residential schools, oral history as a historical tool and digitization of records for preservation and sharing. These presentations ranged in style from formal academic papers to first person narratives. One participant noted that the conference was “a unique opportunity to focus on the intersection of indigenous/Native history with the history of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion” and wished that “more people could have attended, because it was a fantastic opportunity to delve into the legacy and tragedy of colonialism, and to nevertheless encounter hope for the future.”

Participants joined together in worship. During the opening Eucharist attendees listened to a sermon by the Rev. Canon Robert Two Bulls of Minnesota and hymns and the Te Deum sung in the Oneida language. A memorial service followed in the churchyard and cemetery. A sung litany remembered the legacy of Indigenous Peoples in the Church. Almost $900 was collected to be added to the Holy Apostles Cemetery Endowment. Morning Prayer and Compline was also offered.

A reception was hosted by Holy Apostles Episcopal Church which included the 2008 NEA National Heritage Fellow Oneida Singers. Other conference activities included making traditional “corn-husk” dolls, touring the Oneida Reservation, and visiting the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay. Participants especially appreciated the extended times allowed for networking and some nap time.

The highlight of the conference was a performance of songs of “Music from our Culture,” a children’s group presenting songs and dances of Indian tradition. During their performance and at their invitation, almost all participants joined in a group dance ending in a circle of friendship. Keynote Speaker Bishop MacDonald, National Indigenous Anglican Bishop of the Anglican Church of Canada, presented “A New Horizon in Indigenous Ministries.” The presentation included music, spiritual reflections and an assessment of where Indigenous Ministries have been and where they may be headed in the Church.

During a closing talking circle it became clear that many learned with their minds and were moved in their hearts by the conference. One participant of past conferences noted this “was not just a conference, it was a worldview changing experience. One is reminded at these tri-history conferences that historical research and dialogue are about a re-articulation of corporate identity, situating our understanding of ourselves in a larger context that allows us to gain insights that have enormous potential for reshaping our future.”

Over the next months, both documents and videos of presentations will be posted at trihistory.org. The site includes a complete list of activities and speakers. The Planning Committee is currently accepting theme and location ideas for the 2019 Tri-History Conference and will announce details of the choice in Fall 2017.

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For information, visit trihistory.org.

The purposes defined by the Joint Planning Committee of the Tri-History Conference are:

to honor all sponsoring organizations with a program reflecting the common areas and various goals of each;
to provide a setting for introduction of new scholarship on a given topic area;
to provide an (inter-)national conference with (inter-)national focus while providing for a regional flavor.