From the moment the first ship reached the shores of the Americas, the Church has been a force of colonization, causing pain and suffering for Indigenous peoples. One particular colonial endeavor that caused lasting trauma, from which Indigenous communities may never recover, is Indian Boarding Schools. With the motto “Kill the Indian, and save the man,” (Capt. Richard H. Pratt, 1892) these schools were the federal government’s chosen method of forced assimilation. Most of these schools were run by the Church.

In 2016 the ELCA repudiated the doctrine of discovery, calling for the worshipping communities, synods and the denomination as whole “…to acknowledge and repent from this church’s complicity in the evils of colonialism in the Americas…”(CA16.02.04). As part of this work, the Minneapolis Area Synod is partnering with the Saint Paul Area Synod and the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition to offer a 2-part event:  

Story-sharing event - hear from individuals who spent time in Indian Boarding Schools.
Saturday, May 8th 9 AM - 11AM - We will hear stories from two survivors of Indian Boarding Schools, Rev. Joann Conroy and Bonnie Steele.