On a weekend in Northern Minnesota...
Over 150 Native American students from 55 tribal groups gathered at the Fond du Lac Tribal Community College to find out the answer to the question "Would Jesus eat frybread?" Under the massive beams of this beautiful amphitheater, students heard stories of pain and sadness but also hope and joy.
What would a university conference be without books. Indian Life gave away copies of the paper and had a book table along with other tables hosted by Cru and InterVarsity and the college itself. Charles Robinson (reading Indian Life) was a keynote speaker for the conference. Jim Uttley seated at book display.
The artwork displayed throughout the Fond du Lac tribal college was amazing. Here were wall hangings with intricate tribal designs.
The creative use of feathers and beads producing beautiful regalia.
Mark Charles, Navajo, led organizing committee and spoke at conference.
CLOQUET/CARLTON, MN-Over a wintery weekend in the middle of November 2014, over 155 Native American university students from 55 different tribal groups gathered from across Turtle Island at the Fond du Lac Tribal Community College in Cloquet, Minnesota for the annual conference of the Native Ministries of Inter-Varsity and Cru that's become known as WOULD JESUS EAT FRYBREAD?
In addition to getting to know one another, and just having great fun, the students studied the life of Moses and learned how he was a "tri-cultural man" (He was a Jew who grew up in Pharaoh's palace and then escaped to Midian where he found his Midianite wife.) These students learned and shared together about what it means to be a Native young adult and a follower of Jesus.
Throughout the weekend, Native students met together with Natives who want to follow Jesus while honoring their people, cultures, and traditions. They learned and received wisdom and experience from Native elders.
At the main gatherings, they worshiped Creator led by a Native student worship team.
In small groups they were able to share with one another and to speak about their experiences dealing with historical and personal trauma in their lives and communities back home.
All those in attendance experienced the stories and traditional foods of the Annishanabe people who hosted the weekend.
As students boarded their buses to take them back to their flights out of the Twin Cities, they had time to reflect on all they experienced in two-and-a-half days. Many returned to their campuses or to their homes with renewed vision to be all they were created to be as Aboriginal students and followers of Jesus.
