wfn.org | Native Americans reconnect the family at annual camp

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Aug. 12, 1998	Contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
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NOTE:  A photo accompanies this story.

By Fred Rowles*

WHITE MOUNTAIN, Ariz.  (UMNS)-Native Americans attending a recent
national United Methodist camp rededicated themselves to the spiritual
and social healing of the family.

Approximately 324 people of all ages attended the annual  Native
American Family Camp, July 16-21 to be nourished and valued by other
family members. Each segment of the family was ministered to in an
attempt to achieve "weaving" or a reconnection of the family.

Camp participants  attended classes on Apache bead and basket-making,
the Bible, evangelism, servant leadership, the United Methodist Social
Principles and writing.

A highlight of this year's camp was the participation in Project Eagle,
a primarily Native American-oriented exercise that offered participants
opportunity to establish or reestablish relationships with those who are
meaningful to them. During the project, individuals spent a day placed
in situations which required that they analyze and evaluate problems,
organize themselves and delegates responsibilities, trusting that others
will cooperate. 

The goal was to provide a level "playing field" and a safe environment
for  open, honest and meaningful interaction between parent and child as
well as members of the Eagle.

Within the project was the creation of a "human dreamcatcher," an
exercise where each member of a group shared his or her dreams and threw
a ball of red yarn to another who supported and validated the thrower's
dream. The yarn was thrown until it was intertwined and connected in a
weave or web, a symbolic reinforcement connecting the bonds of the
family.

In an advance statement, planners for the camp outlined realities facing
Native Americans today. They noted that within the last 20 years
movement of Native American families from reservations to town and
cities has cut them off from traditional strength and spirituality of
family.  Families remaining on reservations and in tribal areas also
have experienced the social ills of society, "simply because they have
lost their connectedness to their families and to God," the statement
said. 

Contributing to the "rapid decay" of the Native American family, the
statement said, are social problems such as alcohol and drug abuse,
divorce, child abuse, school drop outs, and teen suicide.

The overall purpose of the annual camp is to educate, inspire and
provide fellowship for Native Americans.  A major focus of each camp is
to build self-esteem among Native American youth and to help them
understand the mission and ministry of the United Methodist Church.  The
denomination counts about 17,500 Native Americans among its 8.5 million
U.S. members.
# # #
*Rowles is senior producer of film and video for United Methodist
Communication in Nashville Tenn.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/