Native American Ministry

“Pray that God will give you good hands, good eyes, good ears, so that you will truly be able to feel, to see, to hear. Only then will you be able to understand the spiritual ways of the Indian People.”

–Velma Cayou, Swinomish (From Beginnings, Twohy)

Since Eusebio Kino, SJ traveled thousands of miles on horseback establishing parishes along the Rio Grande in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Jesuits have worked with Native Americans. Today, Jesuits in many parts of the U.S. minister with native peoples. In particular, Jesuits from the Oregon and Wisconsin Provinces work from coastal Alaska to the Dakotas in schools and parishes. Additionally, Jesuit ministry includes training and empowerment of deacons and other ministers from native communities, for example at the Kateri Northwest Institute in Spokane, WA, and the Sioux Spiritual Center in Howes, South Dakota.

For a complete listing of the Native American works, please visit the Oregon and Wisconsin Province websites.

For more information on museums in South Dakots celebrating Lakota arts and culture, please visit The Heritage Center Museum, which includes a primary collection with over 2,000 Lakota tribal arts (historical and current); and the The Buechel Memorial Lakota Museum, with collections, exhibits and research related to Lakota history, culture and life.