Stories of Vitality from the Domestic Missionary Partnership

On September 16, 2006 at the Annual Meeting of the Domestic Missionary Partnership the grant proposal from the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska for a convocation and reunion of the Denaa and Dine’ was fully funded. When asked what the Diocese hopes to accomplish with this convocation, The Rev. Canon Ginny Doctor of the Diocese of Alaska writes:

Anthropologists believe that the Danaa (Athabascan Indians), who comprise almost 50% of the Diocese of Alaska, came from Asia about 35,000 years ago across Beringia. They are of the Na-Dene’ language group and they migrated into Alaska and Northwest Canada. The Denaa, however consider the migration story to be a myth and that they have always been here. There is new evidence that migration across Beringia was in both directions. The Dine’ (Navajo) diverged from this group and arrived in the Southwest approximately 1350AD.

It is time for a reunion. At the General Convention, the Bishop of Alaska was appointed the assisting Bishop of Navajoland. It is no coincidence that Mark MacDonald served in Navajoland before becoming the Bishop of Alaska. God put Mark in both places to be the bridge to bring about this reunion. We seek partnership and understanding between the Denaa and Dine’. We want to find ways to support each other in discipleship and to share resources. A Convocation for the Denaa and Dine’ is being planned for the spring of 2007. This homecoming will coincide with the Interior Deanery meeting in Alaska and twenty Dine’ leaders will be selected to come to Alaska.

This convocation will be an intergenerational event. Everyone, no matter what age, is important in the “Circle.” It will be a time for visioning, “a time to break down the barriers that have separated and a time to build up,” a time to find ways that we “fit” together. It will also be important to offer training/teachings and discussions on such issues as: sovereignty, subsistence, treaty rights, self-determination and how these are spiritual issues as well as political issues; ministry with youth/young adults and racism and internalized oppression.

The Rev. Canon Ginny Doctor can be reached at gindoctor@aol.com Look for more stories of diocesan and congregational vitality from the Domestic Missionary Partnership in the coming weeks. For more information on this partnership that exists to share, challenge and encourage one another to deepen and expand the vitality of their mission activities, contact new president, The Rev. Karen Lewis at klewis@cny.anglican.org