Pow Wow Part of 2010 Merger

May 14, 2009

Planners for the inaugural meeting of the World Communion of Reformed Churches are inviting local and regional Native Americans to participate in a special Pow Wow planned for Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids.

The Pow Wow, considered by some Native Americans as a sacred dance, is one of several activities planned for the global meeting to be held at Calvin College, June 18-28, 2010. During the conference, Native Americans will provide exhibits and workshops. A prominent Native American will be invited to present a keynote address at one of the plenary sessions.

Meanwhile, the committee organizing the event continues to ask churches in West and Southwest Michigan to help sponsor a delegate to the event.

Gathering under the theme, “Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace,” World Communion of Reformed Churches will bring together one thousand representatives from 250 churches and more than 100 countries. Among the international delegates will be many from indigenous peoples in their own countries.

The principal business of the gathering will be to merge two existing organizations: the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC).

Eleven North American denominations will also participate in this historic gathering, including the Christian Reformed Church in North America, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Reformed Church in America, the United Church of Christ, and the United Church of Canada.

Congregations that agree to “sponsor” one or more delegates will benefit from the experience to deepen their awareness of the global church. Participating congregations are also requested to help with the travel and accommodation expense of the sponsored- delegate.

WCRC estimates that the average cost per delegate for travel and accommodations will be about $2,000. Participating congregations are requested to contribute 50 percent of that cost ($1,000). Payment can be arranged to take place at any time between now and May 31, 2010 and can be paid in increments.

Delegates will be housed and fed at Calvin College during the General Council meetings. Sponsoring congregations would then provide housing and meals during the time the delegate spends with them. Delegates would be asked to spend one to three days with their sponsoring congregations, including a Sunday.

In addition, churches are asked to recruit individual volunteers to serve in a variety of hosting capacities, from airport greeter to meeting steward to a volunteer on a health-care team. To get more information on sponsorships, contact Peter Harkema at (616) 241-1691 or [email protected]. For general information, or to volunteer in any way, please contact Dr. Peter Borgdorff at (616) 560-2092 or [email protected].

In particular, the North American Planning Committee believes that it would be an important step to reach out to the local and regional Native American community so that they could welcome the international guests to this land on behalf of all the indigenous peoples of North America.

Goals of the Native American involvement include:

  • increasing the international profile and visibility of Native American peoples, culture, and traditional spirituality;
  • providing information for the delegates as they deal with indigenous rights and social justice issues; and,
  • providing opportunities for people of the Grand Rapids community to join in this international celebration of indigenous culture.

Coordinating Native American participation is Levi Rickert, (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation tribal member), former executive director of the North American Indian Center of Grand Rapids, and president of Wamimi, Inc., an American Indian-owned consulting company.

Wamimi is reaching out to tribal leaders seeking their participation in the opening ceremony on Friday, June 18, 2010, and in the Pow Wow on Tuesday June 22, 2010.

Rev.Mike Peters (Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians tribal member), who is the Ogema (a chief) of the Four Fires Ministries, will take a leading role in preparations for this event.

“I am honored to be asked to be an event planner for our participation in this historic event. My desire is that the world, not only see the beauty of our culture, but that they hear our unity on the critical issues we face as American Indians,” said Rev.Peters.

The location of the Pow Wow will be along the Grand River adjacent to two of the city’s key cultural resources: the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, and the Public Museum with its significant American indigenous culture exhibits.

Organizers are hoping to have the participation of Native Americans from throughout the Great Lakes region, as well as other parts of the United States and Canada. Dancers, artists, and vendors who wish to participate in the Pow Wow on June 22, 2010, should contact: Mr. Levi Rickert – 616-299-7542, or The Rev. Mike Peters – 616-855-6311