Native American Mission

Outreach | Guatemala Mission | Haiti Mission

From Branford to Montana, Helping Crow Children Soar

The Trinity Church Native American Committee, in conjunction with The Center Pole organization, is actively working to raise funds to help the Crow youth in Montana, as well as Native American youth on other reservations. 

One of the committee’s founding members, Loretta Merlone, has traveled extensively to reservations in both Montana and South Dakota.  Loretta met with Peggy White and Susan Kelly, co-founders of The Center Pole [a 501(c)(3) registered charity], to see firsthand the type of living conditions these Native Americans have been forced to exist in for hundreds of years.
 
History tells us how Native Americans were persecuted and deprived of what was theirs for centuries, and the extreme measures by which it was taken away by our ancestors. Yes, here in CT reservations have beautiful casinos that bring in millions of dollars, but the vast majority of reservations around the US are situated on waste-land with poor growing conditions and little or no way for the natives to produce an income for themselves or their families.  Some help is given by the US government in the form of food rations for foods that are high in starch and fat, contributing to high rates of obesity, high blood pressure and other weight-related problems among the adults and children alike.
 
In addition to health problems there’s an extremely high rate of unemployment among the men, which has stripped them of their pride, an intrinsic part of who they are as a people.  With diminished pride comes abuse of alcohol and drugs, which translates into additional problems within the family including spousal abuse, suicide, crime and, critically, the lack of a strong family structure.
 
Seeing all the despair on the reservations, Susan and Peggy have dedicated their lives to helping those who can’t help themselves the most—the children.  The budget is limited with virtually no funding from State or Federal Government, and there is resistance to offers of help from many of the elder tribesmen, especially when it comes to academics. The elders think if the children are educated and go to college, they will never return to their reservations, further weakening what remains of their culture.
 
Trinity’s Native American Committee has been able to help in a variety of ways.  Funds were sent to Susan and Peggy who provided meals and essentials to families who recently made the pilgrimage to Montana.  There the sun dance ceremony has been held for the last eight years to benefit Josie Guardipee, a little girl who suffered a rare form of heart disease. Through several days of intense worship to the Creator of all things, along with bodily sacrifices intended to cleanse the soul, they strengthen their beliefs and renew their hopes for the future, and they helped Josie survive her debilitating illness against great odds.

The Native American Committee held an Art Show and Wine Tasting event to further raise money for heating assistance and warm clothing to help during the brutal winter months they experience on the reservations. Winter months can be so extreme with little or no way to heat trailers or homes.

To help, either through a donation or joining with us, please contact nativeamericanministry.org.
 
Our thanks to Susan Kelly of The Center Pole for the photos. Read the latest newsletter from The Center Pole.