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We Are A Matthew 25 Church:
Matthew 25: Did You Know?
LAND JUSTICE
Over four hundred Indian boarding schools, some hundreds of miles away from the children's homes, separated children from their families and their heritage. Christian denominations, including Presbyterians, ran many schools. Young children were taken against their parents' wishes and subjected to military-style discipline; their hair, clothing, and names were changed. "Education" often consisted of child labor with severe punishment and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Many children died from inadequate food and health care. The intended purpose of these schools was to assimilate Native American children into the white American culture and to erase indigenous cultures one generation at a time. We have a long way to go to heal these wounds. Indigenous rights have gradually been restored, and most recently in 2016, the Presbyterian Church (USA) apologized for its role in perpetuating boarding schools. In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs published a comprehensive description of the schools and the harms children suffer, along with recommendations. We might consider contributing to organizations working to repair broken treaties and the displacement of people from their lands. Another option is to support the Fund for Native American Congregations established at the Presbyterian Foundation (presbyterianfoundation.org).
(Source: 2024-2025 PW Horizons Bible Study Let Justice Roll Down: God's Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation by Patricia K. Tull)
Are you interested in joining DPC's Matthew 25 Task Force? If so, please contact Pastor Tully Fletcher at tfletcher@dpchurch.org
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