My Mother provided the tinder that ignited my interest in learning about and supporting Native American communities. The flames were fanned in October 1992, 500 years after Columbus' arrival, when I was asked to help our local UWF (then UMW) unit with a program about Native American history, culture and the church.

Listening, learning and showing up are tools I use to broaden my knowledge and understanding about Native American communities. Reading books and watching documentaries are great learning tools. But to really get drawn into, to understand, the realities of what Native American communities experience on a daily basis, what life is like for them, you need to visit where they live, listen to their stories. Participate in their celebrations like a Wild Onion Dinner.

I participated in a 2008 Mission U study called Giving Our Hearts Away led by the late Peggy and Larry Larney. In 2017 I participated in the Mission U study on the Missionary Conferences led by David Wilson of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC) before he was elected a Bishop. It was then I learned about the Immersion Experience. I continue to read many books written by and about Native Americans. My first OIMC Immersion Experience was March 2018. I have participated in a total of five, including one virtually in 2020.
  

Participating in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference Immersion Experience is like having one big bonus book that covers all five categories in the Reading Program!

Education for Mission- I learn about the ministries and missions of the OIMC community when I participate in Wild Onion Dinners and presentations offered by local churches, when I listen to clergy and laity talk about their tribal nation’s culture and history (each is different), how they continue to meet the educational and economic challenges in their communities.

Leadership Development-When visiting the different locations within the OIMC and listening to the people, I hear and see how they constantly and consistently develop youth and adult leaders in the realms of civic and church leadership. I witness how kinship and connection is the foundation to sustainable leadership.

Social Action- The OIMC has a long, storied history with and connection to the United Methodist Church. Learning more about this as well as the history and cultures of the 39 tribal nations in Oklahoma broadens my knowledge and understanding of how their history is our history.

Nurturing for Community-Kinship and connection are basic to the sustainability of the thriving communities in the OIMC. Seeing and hearing how they have always done this is something we all need to learn.

Spiritual Growth- My spiritual growth doesn’t evolve in isolation. My experiences described within each of the above components grows my spiritual health and well-being being. Hearing the music, the messages shared, watching the dancing, learning about sacred places and ceremonies. That’s how I experience spiritual growth.