Indigenous Christian Fellowship Celebrates 40 Years of Ministry

Indigenous Christian Fellowship (formerly Indian Metis Christian Fellowship) recently celebrated 40 years of ministry and relationship in Regina, Sask., thanking God for years of blessings and looking forward to continuing growth.

The organization was established in 1978 by the Christian Reformed Church in North America, with a vision to minister and walk with Indigenous peoples living in the Regina, Sask., area. Today that work continues with a mandate to build a place for urban community that serves spiritual and social needs.

Bert Adema is the executive director of Indigenous Christian Fellowship. Reflecting on the beginnings of the ministry, he said, “It was commissioned because Arie Van Eek wanted to see ministry to Indigenous peoples. He wanted to do things in a Reformed, holistic way, allowing Indigenous people to contribute their gifts.” Rev. Arie Van Eek served as chair of the CRC’s National Committee for Ministry among Indians and Metis when Indigenous Christian Fellowship was formed.

He had been serving a CRC congregation in Winnipeg, Man., and regularly participated in evangelism evenings in the city but envisioned a ministry that could go further in addressing deep needs and working toward community goals among Indigenous peoples living in the area.

Out of this vision, he helped to create the Indigenous Family Centre in Winnipeg.

That ministry grew, and soon there was interest within the CRCNA to find other places to serve in a similar way. In 1978, the Indian Metis Christian Fellowship (now Indigenous Christian Fellowship) opened its doors in Regina.

Today the ministry is building community through a variety of activities. Drop-in times, prayer ceremonies, weekly soup and bannock lunches and family breakfasts, literacy training, community sharing circles, counseling, pastoral support, youth activities, AA meetings, and special events invite members of the community through the ministry doors almost every day. Activities and gatherings emphasize respect, healing, forgiveness, and fellowship.

On Oct. 19 a gala was held at a local college to celebrate the ministry’s 40th anniversary, bringing together about 70 friends and supporters. Addressing the crowd on behalf of the Christian Reformed Church, Canadian Ministries Director Darren Roorda noted that, as reflected in the celebration of people from all nations, tribes, and languages, culture is a gift of Creator God. Roorda pointed to expressions of Indigenous culture inherent to Indigenous Christian Fellowship.

Several series of paintings by Indigenous artist Ovide Bighetty decorate the walls, commissioned by the ministry over the years. Meals, prayer circles, and the symbol-rich logo of the ministry reflect appreciation, celebration, and recognition of Indigenous culture.

Representatives of several other denominations and local congregations that have come alongside Indigenous Christian Fellowship over the years were also present at the gala, joined by the directors of partner ministries in Edmonton and Winnipeg. Guests enjoyed performances by local drum group Napewsak, hoop dancer Steve Obey Jr., and musician Devon Floyd.

Guest speaker Ray Aldred is a well-known professor and speaker in the Christian Indigenous community. Aldred directs the Indigenous Studies program at Vancouver School of Theology. A Cree from Treaty 8 land in northern Alberta, he has lived in various cities across Canada and speaks frequently about what it means to be Christian and Indigenous.

“When I came here, I thought, well, we should talk about what’s going on with reconciliation,” said Aldred. “One of the things that has to happen is you have to tell the truth; you have to talk. That’s what’s happening. . . . Reconciliation has three movements: You gotta tell the truth. You gotta listen. And you gotta come up with a shared plan.”

He continued by talking about ways in which conversations leading to reconciliation are happening in big ways, as through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2009-2015) and its calls to action, and in smaller ways in conversation circles around the country.

He described some of the effects of residential schools, which broke people’s relationships with the land and with their culture and family. Then he told about changes that started in the 1990s with denominations and politicians beginning to apologize for the damage done to Indigenous cultures and peoples.

“Slowly, I think we’re gaining those things back. We’re healing those relationships because people tell the truth. When people began to really listen, they tried to do things to change things, to heal those relationships. And that’s where the Indigenous Christian Fellowship . . . is important,” said Aldred.

He added that Indigenous Christian Fellowship provides a place where Indigenous peoples can connect with their culture, with each other, and with their Creator.

“We’re being blessed to be a blessing,” said Adema. “We need to take care of the tree, but it’s reasonable to expect that that which has borne fruit will continue to bear fruit -- to see the good work of the Lord.”

It’s been 40 years of building Indigenous Christian community, he noted, and mistakes have happened, lessons have been learned, and good things have happened. “I’m encouraged to think that good things will continue,” he said.

Another event celebrating the 40th anniversary invited the community to come to the ministry center for a “Come and Go Tea” open to all.

Links for more info:
On a Journey Together: Urban Aboriginal Ministries (The Banner, Dec. 2013)
Aboriginal Ministries page
Indigenous Christian Fellowship page