inside this issue - indigenous pathways · pdf filefrom that night in 1974 until his passing,...
TRANSCRIPT
Richard Leo Twiss, 1954-2013
Former MPI Board Chairman Richard Leo Twiss,
Tayoate Ob Najin “He Stands with his People,”
passed from this life and into the next, February 9,
2013 in Washington, DC encircled by his wife,
Katherine, and sons Andrew, Phillip, Ian, and Daniel.
Richard was born in 1954 on the Rosebud Reserva-
tion, South Dakota among his mother Winona
(Larvie) LaPointe’s people, the Sicangu Band of the
Rosebud Lakota/Sioux. Richard's father, Franklin
(Buster) Twiss (deceased) was Oglala from the Pine
Ridge Reservation also in South Dakota. Though the
family moved to Oregon when Richard was seven,
his mom ensured they made regular summer visits
back home in order to stay
connected with family and
culture.
After graduating from high
school in 1972, Richard
moved back to Rosebud to
attend Sinte Gleska,
“Spotted Tail” College. It
was here that he became
involved in the American Indian Movement,
strengthened his connection with relatives, and deep-
ened his appreciation for Lakota culture.
Richard wandered for a while, ending up on the is-
land of Maui in Hawaii, where late one night, alone
on a deserted beach, Creator responded to Richard’s
desperate prayer, and made Himself known to him.
From that night in 1974 until his passing, Richard
was on a spiritual journey to live a meaningful life as
a Lakota follower of the Jesus Way.
Richard met and fell in love with Katherine Kroshus,
wedding her in 1976. His proudest legacy is his four
boys: Andrew (Diana), Phillip, Ian (Toni), Daniel, and
grandsons, Ezra and Leo.
In February 1997, Richard and Katherine founded the
non-profit ministry of Wiconi International, through
which they touched the lives of many thousands of
people. Richard and Terry LeBlanc became fast
friends in the early 1990s, traveling extensively in
ministry together over the next 15+ years. In 2000
Richard, together with Terry and others in the contex-
tual ministry movement, co-founded NAIITS (North
American Institute for Indigenous Theological Stud-
ies). During the years that followed Richard also
served as chairman of the board for My People Inter-
national, was a member of the CCDA (Christian Com-
munity Development Association), and
co-founder together with Terry and oth-
ers of Evangelicals4Justice in the USA.
In 2011, Richard earned his doctorate, a
D.Miss. from Asbury Theological Semi-
nary. Until his passing, Richard contin-
ued his teaching career through the
NAIITS program, Portland State Uni-
versity, and other institutions of higher
education.
Richard authored a number of books, pamphlets and
articles over the years. His first book, One Church,
Many Tribes, reached many people with the message
of an inculturated faith in Jesus.
We have lost a best friend, fellow traveler, mentor and
colleague in ministry but in the Lakota tradition, there
is no word for goodbye. Instead, we simply say,
“Toksa ake (We’ll see you again), brother, and
friend!” ~ Terry LeBlanc
OUR Vision
“Every Native North Ameri-
can person will embrace a life
-giving relationship with the
person of Jesus – and experi-
ence that relationship in a
Native North American Way.”
Our mission
“To communicate the teach-
ings of Jesus to Native North
American people in a cultur-
ally relevant way; to encour-
age Native North American
life to be centered in a spiri-
tual relationship with Jesus;
and, to facilitate culturally
appropriate participation of
Native people within the wider
community of those who
follow Jesus.”
Tayoate Ob Najin “He
Stands With His People”
...pg. 1
Upcoming Nestooaak
...pg. 2
Creator God with Us
through Grief ...pg. 2
NAIITS Symposium
...pg. 3
Upcoming Events
...pg. 3
Osmosis ...pg. 4
My People International Spring 2013
Volume VII Issue 1
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Photographs provided by redletterchristians.org, where you can find
additional tributes to Richard Twiss.
Spring 2013 ~ Volume VII Issue 1 ~ Page 2
training we address challenges experienced by Native People
and others as they seek to live out a faithful walk in the way of
Jesus. Native people need to be understood by the non-Native
community and we need to find good ways to walk together for
the well-being of all.
Presenters: Terry LeBlanc, (Mi'kmaq/Acadian), Ray Aldred
(Cree) and Vincent Yellow Old Woman (Siksika)
Each of the three sessions will be followed
by animated small group discussion.
Costs: $30 per person includes coffee breaks
and a full luncheon on Saturday.
Workshop Times: Friday 7:00 pm, Saturday
9:00 am, 1:00 pm
Website registration:
www.riverparkchurch.com
Tim Stime, Nestooaak Coordinator [email protected] Call: 780.967.1000
We hope to see you there.
One of the presentations that I have done over the years in many
gatherings and conferences is on Grief. The idea came when we realized
that we as a First Nations people have experienced and are still experi-
encing many personal loss, including the losses of loved ones through so
many kinds of death. Grief is one of the painful experiences that we face
and that needs to be addressed. The first few times, our presentation
only covered the definition, symptoms and self care one needs in their
journey of grief. The workshop now includes God as the Creator of life,
and God as the ultimate Comforter in our grief.
Almost a year ago at one of the annual conferences one of the plan-
ning committee members shared afterwards about how much it meant to
her to hear about God as part of the grief journey. It made her realize
how God the Father is always at work in reconciling us back to Him ~
even through and in our experience of grief. Ultimately, He did this
through the birth and death of His Son Jesus Christ as He Himself ex-
perienced immense grief. This woman went on to share how encourag-
ing and moving it was for her to see and hear this kind of teaching on
grief. She came away with a new understanding that God is pursuing her
and others through
the good and even
through the pain-
ful.
As she spoke I
remembered a
similar comment
from another par-
ticipant at a differ-
ent conference on
abuse where we
had set aside one
hour for the topic
of grief. One of
the participants
who was there was
a man from one of
the isolated com-
munities in north-
ern Canada. During our response time at the end of the confer-
ence this man said that it was the first time he heard God and scripture
being included in a grief talk and how it was such a freeing experience
for him.
We have a section in the recovery part of the workshop that we
titled, “Learn to See God in the Midst of Your Pain.” Psalm 23 is one
of the chapters that we refer to in the teaching. We specifically focus
on verse 4 that says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” We remind
the participants that God has made a promise to walk with us when we
go through the valley experiences of our lives. He wants us to know
that we are not alone during the dark time of grieving. He knew that
we would have dark valleys while here on this earth and so He already
spoke into that pain.
Many times in our work with people we find that it is often very
difficult for them to see God clearly because of their overwhelming
pain. Often people can turn away from God at these times because
they come to conclude that God does not care. Their belief is that if
He did care they would not be experiencing the overwhelming pain
that comes from grief. It is a challenge then that we give to the par-
ticipants, to learn to see God in the midst of the pain ~ to see His pres-
ence with them in the darkness.
This section of our talk ends with Ps 23:5 and how God prepares a
table before us in the presence of our enemies. I make mention how
God is not threatened by our enemies. He calmly and purposefully
goes about caring for us even in the presence of our enemies and in
this life death is one of those enemies. This passage gives us an image
of God’s strength, power, and authority over our enemies.
The two people mentioned in
this story were encouraged and
uplifted in knowing that God is
always part of our life experi-
ences, both the good ones and
the painful ones. What a hope
and promise for all of us.
~ Linda Martin
Building Our Capacity
"The Great Divide: Challenges & options
for change in Native & non-Native
relationships”
March 15-16, 2013
River Park Church ~ Calgary, AB
You are Cordially Invited…
A major function of My People International is to train and
mentor Native and non-Native men and women to be more ef-
fective in personal, family and community life and thus more
effective in sharing the Good News of Jesus. At our Nestooaak
Location: Vancouver Area
Date: TBA
For more details contact Jen Cole via
Vincent Yellow Old Woman (Photo from
Siksika Nation)
Board of Directors ~ Cheryl Bear, Carrier Sekani, Musician, Pastor ~ Shari Russell, Treas., Saulteaux, Corps Officer, Salvation Army ~ Wendy Peterson, Sect’y, Metis, Faculty, Providence Seminary ~ Randy Woodley, Keetowah, Faculty, George Fox Seminary ~ Cornelius Buller, German CDN ~ Casey Church, Pottawotomi, Pastor, Albuquerque Native Fellowship ~ Andrea Smith, Cherokee, Faculty, U of C Riverside Staff & Associates ~ Ray and Elaine Aldred (Cree) ~ Tiara Bacon (Philipina) ~ Tom and Karen Bursma (Euro-American) ~ David Arnold and Jen Cole-Arnold (Australian and Euro-American) ~ Laurie Conway (Euro-American) ~ Celine & Hector Bastien Genest (Huron/French Canadian) ~ Wes & Summer Graham (Euro-American) ~ Matt LeBlanc, (Mi’kmaq/Acadian) ~ Terry and Bev LeBlanc (Mi’kmaq/Acadian) ~ Rick and Linda Martin (Cree) ~ Michelle Nieviadomy (Cree) ~ Tim & Yin Mooi Stime (Norwegian & Malaysian) ~ Karen & Jeff Ward (Euro-Canadian)
Upcoming Conferences and Training Events...
March 15-16 - Nestooaak Workshop; Calgary, AB - Ray, Elaine, Terry, Tim, Viv
March 18-20 - Meeting with Providence University/Seminary re: establishing an undergrad program with NAIITS Terry, Wendy Peterson
March 21 - 23 Panuluanan Tribal school launch and gathering, Paquibato district, Philippines. iEmergence Philippines and Ata elders partnership. Matt LeBlanc, Tiara Bacon and iE staff
March 22 - Residential Schools Panel; Edmonton - Terry
March TBD - Trauma Course; Manitoba - Rick and Linda
April 1, 2 - Training for Yellowhead School Division Teachers – Terry
April 8 - 12 - Desert gathering, bringing together indigenous believers from around the world to the Middle East to share and dialogue together - Matt LeBlanc
April 15-19 - Trauma in Crisis workshop, United Church of Canada; Beausejour, MB - Rick and Linda
April 18-20 - Fund for Theological Education Consult – Terry
April 21 - Providence University & Seminary - Terry Receiving Award
May 3-5- Suicide Prevention/Intervention/Aftercare Conference; Sioux Lookout, ON - Rick and Linda
May 4 & 5 Summer Day Clubs Team training Event; Toronto -Tom and Karen
May 6-10 - Teaching Asset-based Development at Yonge Street Mission; Toronto - Terry
May 13-17 - U of Saskatchewan - Teaching DMin course for ministers - Terry
May 14-21 O2 Osmosis Internship and partnership exploration between U of Philippines, Ateneo College and iEmergence partner communities. Tiara Bacon, Matt LeBlanc and iE staff
May 20-24 - Teaching at Ambrose University College/Seminary - Terry
May 29,30 - CHEC conference on Native Education - NAIITS faculty
May TBA – Envision Girls’ Retreat; Browning, MT - Summer
June 6-8 - NAIITS Symposium; Tyndale University, Toronto - MPI Staff & NAIITS members
June 10 -13 - Teaching for NAIITS graduate program - Terry
June 20-24 - Training Conference; Northern Cheyenne Reservation – Terry
July 7-27 - Camping program; Mishkeegogamang First Nation, ON - iEmergence partnering with Speroway
Every Tuesday night: Sacred Way Discipleship Training; Browning, MT - Wes & Summer
Spring 2013 ~ Volume VII Issue 1 ~ Page 3
Shaping Faith: How Language Informs the Journey
10th Annual Symposium on Indigenous Theology
June 6 - 8, 2013
Tyndale University College and Seminary
Toronto, ON, Canada
The purpose of the symposium is to facilitate open dialogue
about various aspects of Contextualization in Native North
American history and experience.
Scope of Topics:
Examining the implications of verb-based over against
noun-based languages on the perceptions of the relation-
ship of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Unpacking the gendered language of faith. How does a
gendered language describe the nature of the Creator, of
faith and of faith's journey differently, if at all, from lan-
guages which are non-
gendered?
Contrasting Native
North American Evangeli-
calism and expressions of
faith as framed by major-
ity language usage where
Indigenous language usage
predominates.
Exploration of Indigenous understandings of the teachings embedded in the
First and Second Testaments of the Scriptures as experienced through the
listening ear of the mother-tongue speaker.
Identification of potential implications from encouraging Indigenous language
use through and within missional ecclesiology. How would this/does this
impact understanding the nature of the biblically framed Great Commission?
Papers should strive to demonstrate how traditional understandings within Indige-
nous contexts and cultural perspectives might be strengthened, or how new ideas
and practices of contextualization might be implemented to further the goals of
Native ministry and the advance of Native people in life, service, and the spiritual
journey with Jesus. Come and engage in the discussion!
Concerts Friday and Saturday nights with guests; Steve
Bell, Micheal Jacobs, Cheryl Bear and Broken
Walls! There will also special honoring time for
Richard Twiss during the symposium.
Expecting a good
turn out so register early!
www.naiits.com
“Person-Centered Ministry — The Message of Je sus in Context !” Spring 2013 Volume VI I I s sue 1
Donations
P.O. Box 295
Evansburg, AB T0E 0T0
Canada
Business Offices
P.O. Box 870
Evansburg, AB T0E 0T0
P.O. Box 130061
St. Paul, MN 55113-0001
USA
My People International
Ph 780-727-4522
Fax 866.624.4868
www.mypeopleinternational.com
www.iemergence.org
www.naiits.com
Phone, Fax, email and website
Kids Culture Camp ~ Sundre, Alberta
August 11-16, 2013
Refer a Camper! Volunteer!
Give to subsidize the cost of $200.00 for a child!
Come to the last day celebration! Pray!
For more info: [email protected]
It’s an honor to be part of iEmergence youth initiative in North America. We just finished the second of three Osmosis
events, which have created space for Indigenous & non-Indigenous youth to be part of innovative discussions through the apprecia-
tive inquiry process. This process stresses appreciating the positive capabilities within a community in order to build upon what the
community is already doing well. At this past event February 22-23, young people were given an opportunity to dream and share
ideas of a stronger future. It was a refreshing & inspiring to gather young people of different backgrounds & different experiences to
dream of the possibilities. Youth from the Hobbema School of Rock performed on Friday night capturing the voice, the talent & crea-
tive expression in the young Indigenous people from Samson First Nations. The Samson group is pictured above with Matt LeBlanc
(left) and Michelle Nieviadomy (right) of iEmergence. Next Osmosis event will take place in Saskatoon, the weekend of March 22 and
23. (iEmergence, My People International, and NAIITS are sister organizations working together to empower and build First Nations
leaders following Christ. For more information visit www.iemergence.org or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iEmergence.)