Hattie Kauffman, former journalist and author of "Falling into Place"
On May 1, 2015, Pierce county Prayer Breakfast had their first Native speaker in their 37 year history-Hattie Kauffman of Seattle, who belongs to the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho. She is a former national correspondent for ABC and CBS News and before that an anchor for KING 5 in Seattle. She is also the author of "Falling into Place."
The planning committee desired to invite and honor local Native Americans so they contacted Dave Norman of North America Indigenous Ministries, headquartered in Abbottsford, British Columbia, to help make the event Native friendly. Dave and Diane have worked in the Pierce county/Tacoma area of Washington State for most of their 30 years with NAIM and so have lots of connections. The Norman's pastor, Irvin Porter, is of the same Nez Perce tribe as Hattie so he introduced her and sang a hymn in their Nez Perce language. Pat Walker, Muskogee Creek, did the Lord's Prayer in sign language. The attendees were welcomed to the land, by Connie McCloud, the Puyallup tribe's spiritual leader. And the Tacoma Dome Convention Center was all decorated with Native design table covers.
Hattie "hit a homerun' with her story and had the whole audience of 1500 in tears as she shared about growing up in the projects of Seattle. She says celebrating Native American culture is not inconsistent with the Christian faith, which is at the center of the annual prayer breakfast. "Even in the Bible it says 'people of all tribes' will come to know the Lord," she said. "You can have a very rich cultural experience and still believe and worship God."
The Normans' vision was to have Native people seated at tables with non-Natives to have fellowship, share a meal, and listen to Hattie. They asked their supporters to partner with them both financially and in prayer for this new endeavor. Norman said, "The First Nations people are the most giving culture I am aware of." His desire was for them to be on the receiving end this time. Enough funds were raised to cover 13 tables at $300/table. The planning committee then sent invitations to the tribal councils of the six closest tribes to come and join them at the breakfast. The cost of the breakfast would be covered for them in appreciation for their attendance. Over 130 Native people were in attendance.
"This event brought a whole new awareness, respect, and healing to our community," Norman said. "Praise God for the unity we have in Jesus!"
