news article
Act of Repentance success story
March 17, 2015 / By Rev. Dr. Donald Washburn, Mary Alice Nyhan, and Brooke Conklin
Success stories let us know what is possible and inspire us to be part of God's plan through our Act of Repentance journey. May this story of a journey together of one Native community and one local United Methodist Church lend discernment to this process.
What is Ganienkeh?
Ganienkeh is a self-sufficient Kanien'keha:ka (Mohawk) community, west of Plattsburgh. Its location was established through mutual agreement of the Ganienkeh people and Secretary of New York State Mario Cuomo through the creation of The Turtle Island Trust in 1977. Ganienkeh is one of several Mohawk Territories.
History
Federal and state broken treaties and agreements exiled many indigenous people from their traditional territories and corralled them onto small reservations in the United States and Canada. In the words of the women of the community:
"Life on the reservation has been a terrible experience ... In recent memory, our people can recount the physical and sexual abuses of our children who were sent to Indian Boarding Schools, where our distinct identity was targeted for extinction through the prohibition of our language, culture, and spiritual beliefs. In most of our communities, the traditional government of our ancestors became outlawed and rivaled by imposed elective governments. These horrific conditions led the way toward drug and alcohol abuse, in addition to the religious and political factionalism endured by a confused and displaced people.
In short, the way of life and self-determination that defined the Kanien'keha:ka as a distinct people was taken away. In response to this slow death, the Kanien'keha:ka people developed a project designed to restore dignity to our people and create a place where we could rebuild our nation without interference from assimilative policies."
Methodist Church forges supportive relationship.
In 1977, the Kanien'keha:ka moved with dreams and determination into an abandoned girl's camp with a few old buildings and run-down, summer camp cabins. Julius Archibald, chair of Global Ministries of the former Troy Annual Conference, coordinated both General Advance and Conference Advance Specials to provide support for the new community.
Seeking a youth mission project in 1982, the Rev. Dr. Donald Washburn of the Burnt Hills UMC heard about the advance specials. Traveling to Ganienkeh Territory to discern what might be possible, he was able to arrange a summer visit for a group of youth and adults to learn about their traditional ways and work on a variety of projects. Over time and with subsequent trips, Methodists helped with painting farm machinery, tearing down dilapidated buildings, weeding gardens, and helped build a new school. In return, visitors were welcomed, shared meals, and learned about native culture. They experienced "The Great Thanksgiving" and observed their hosts' great reverence for the Creator and all of creation. They learned about "The Great Law of Peace" and how the traditional government functions. In exchange, deep respect, trust and mutual friendship emerged. Lasting memories were created.
Trouble.
Several years after the initial introduction to the community, Rev. Washburn was invited to serve on The Turtle Island Trust, acting as liaison between Ganienkeh Territory and New York state. He was chair of the trust in 1990 when a Medevac helicopter, hit by gunfire, was forced to land. Peace was threatened. Rev. Washburn facilitated negotiations for a thorough forensic investigation, which found no evidence involving the community in the incident. His intervention was recognized with the Troy Annual Conference’s Peace with Justice Award.
It has been 33 years since Rev. Washburn first visited Ganienkeh. Friendships continue to grow. Hundreds of visitors over the years have been to the territory to work, to listen and to learn. A portion of the Native American Ministries Sunday offering has helped to support the Ganienkeh school.
Ganienkeh today.
Ganienkeh thrives as a peaceful community with a cooperative economic system that values the welfare of the collective and adheres to the Great Law of Peace. The people share decision-making in the longhouse, and observe “The Great Thanksgiving" daily.
While the initial repossession of the Ganienkeh Territory in 1977 ended peacefully, that peace is periodically tested by the political and racial scrutiny of local residents and authorities. Most recently, Clinton County has engaged in tax disputes with the tax-exempt educational/cultural (401(c)(3) The Turtle Island Trust. This provocative gesture now jeopardizes the peaceful coexistence between the Native community and its neighbors. On-going work for peace with justice is needed.
How can we continue to respond in an Act of Repentance?
- Visits are important. Contact Rev. Washburn at dwashburn3@nycap.rr.com to coordinate an educational/mission trip to Ganienkeh.
- Extend support and prayers to The Turtle Island Trust for peaceful relations between New York and the community.
- Write to New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo, asking him to support the Turtle Island Trust Agreement, so that visitors can continue to learn and so the community can pass its heritage on to future generations. Write to him at The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York State, NYS State Capitol Building, Albany, N.Y. 12224.