Greensky Hill Native American Methodist Church:the role of language in maintaining

group identity By Kat Slocum

Historic Site• Located in Charlevoix, MI

– Situated in the woods near a chain of inland lakes

• NA Council location• 1972- added to NRHP

Founded in 1844 • Peter Greensky Shagasokicki (1807-1866), Ojibwa chief, converted

• John Sunday Shahwundais (1796-?), Ojibwa chief, mentored Greensky

• Peter Doherty, non-native missionary

19th c. Policies • “Kill the Indian…save the man”- Richard Pratt

• Boarding school– Cultural genocide– Language restriction

• Some convertersHoly Childhood Boarding School, Harbor

Springs MI circa 1900. Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Repatriation,

Archives and Records Department

Today• congregation ~50% Native American• Pastor Jonathon Mays, local non-native

– “I started trying to incorporate language more actively in the service…sermon”

– “a year ago we instituted a regular language class”

– “language is a key cultural connector…if someone takes your language away its very hard to maintain a true identity”

– “there is no heritage without language”• “spiritual openness and cultural balance are respected as important values” Tim Wright (pastor 2010)

Service

The Lord’s Prayer• Nosinan ishpimi eaivn,tvkkijiinenjigade iu kidishinikazouin.Kitogimauiuin tvpitvguishinomvgvt.

Enendvmvn tvizhijigem oma aki,tibishko iuidi ishpimi.

Mizhishinam sv nongum gizhigvk iu gemijiia.Gaie uebinamauishinam iniu nimbataizhiuebiziuininanin,

ezhiuebinamauvidua igiu mejitotauividjig.Kego gvguedibenimishikaen ninguji jishobiziia,

gaie mitaguenimauishinam mvjiaiiuishvn.Kin sv kitibendam iu ogimauiuin, 

gaie iu gvshkieuiziuin,gaie bishigendaguziuin, kakinik apine go kakinik.

Amen.

Ceremonies

Left: Debby ChepawRight: Judy Johnson

• Women’s Drumming Group- 1st Sunday/month

• Native American flute during prayer– Hymnals from Christianity and Native American stories

• Grandmother Moon • Pow-Wow/Camp Meeting

Analysis• Language and culture mix is largely due to its unique history– Founded by a Native American on tribal land

– Maintained as regular meeting place

• UMC: religious identity mixed with “racial” identity– Incorporation of natural transitions to N.A.

– Inclusion of Native American culture

Future Research• National v. Regional Narrative of Native American contact– Holy Childhood Boarding School

• Role of the Church in tribal council

• Religious admixture