In the 1970s, Nebraska Yearly meeting donated the annual proceeds of a cornfield to launch FCNL’s Native American advocacy program. This (literal) seed money enabled FCNL to create a persistent advocacy effort, building on a long history of concern for Native American affairs.
Today, that work is made possible by donors across the country committed to fair and respectful relations with Native Americans.
Over the years, volunteers, interns, legislative advocates, Friends in Washington, and legislative secretaries have all contributed their talents to the program, sometimes as staff “on loan” to FCNL’s program from other groups, including the Mennonites and the Maryknolls Catholic missionaries.
Today FCNL works in parallel with national Native American organizations to support tribal priorities. We are an ally, urging the U.S. to restore and improve relations with Native nations so that our country honors the promises made in hundreds of treaties with these sovereign governments.
Our work honors the history of respectful relationships between Quakers and Native peoples but recognizes that Quakers have also played a role in efforts to assimilate Native peoples into white society. In our advocacy today, we endeavor to listen, promote healing, and work for new policies and commitments that give tribal communities the control and resources needed to raise new generations in respect and pride.
Tribal governments have grown in strength, strategy, and resilience over the past decade. Many are putting into practice innovative solutions to community problems and investing in preserving and teaching their traditions. Our advocacy is able not only to call congressional attention to the challenges facing Indian Country but to propose and promote solutions our tribal partners have identified. We look forward to deepening our partnerships with Native groups and our faith colleagues as we work together in the years ahead
