Hau kola ("hello friend"),

I hope your summer has started off with much to be thankful for! Time with family and friends is totally the best! While time away from home has not been what I prefer, it has nevertheless has been a whirlwind of very exciting trips and events! Each month I stand amazed how our simple vision for native people emerging as co-equal participants in the life of the church grows in such profound ways. The historic shift of global missions is spreading rapidly as is the critical role of indigenous people in reshaping the face of Christendom worldwide, particularly among Native North American people.

I am soooo happy to report that I have submitted my final draft for my doctoral dissertation to Asbury Theological Seminary. If all goes well, I will defend my dissertation and receive my diploma later this year. Beginning a doctoral program as a 50-year-old has been an intense adventure!

The North American Institute of Indigenous Theological Studies signed a formal agreement with George Fox University and Seminary to partner together to create a new Masters of Arts in Intercultural Studies Degree. I serve as Vice-chair of NAIITS and am so proud and grateful to say it will be our indigenous faculty who will write and teach the courses for the first ever degree of it's kind.

I was in Edmonton, Alberta this month with my friend Harold Roscher and his "Hear the Call of the Drum Conference." I spoke about how ministry among Native people in the past twenty years has, and continues, to change from a paternalistic model to a contextual model. People shared very moving stories of their faith journey about reclaiming their native ways to once again become whole people in Jesus. 

From Edmonton I flew to Grand Rapids, MI where, at Calvin College, I was a keynote speaker at a history-making event. The World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council rejoined together after a many decades old split to create the new World Communion of Reformed Churches. This new communion represents 230 denominations and 40 million people in 103 countries. I delivered a message that invited them to both reconsider the negative impact of their mission history among indigenous people worldwide and challenged them to repent of their presumed cultural/theological superiority over Native people. It was deeply affirming to have dozens of leaders from the global south tell me they heard their stories in my story and were deeply grateful that I played a part in setting the stage for a new day in global missions in their respective worlds, and the Reformed Church world.

From there I flew to Lawton, OK to participate in the "Sing to the Mountain Music Festival." It was really refreshing to my soul and encouraging to see many friends I had not seen for many years, especially their children, who are all growing up. I gave a short overview of the past twenty-years of how a new movement of the Gospel has been birthed in the Native North American native community, the fruit of many years of our enduring relationships.

As you read this I will be on my way to Pretoria, South Africa to participate in several events addressing the issue of reconciliation in light of growing violence between black and white South Africans. While Apartied may be demolished as a system, as a way of thinking it is still alive in hearts of many and at the root of new violence in the land. My friend, J.R. Nomee, a Kalispel Tribal member and Northern Traditional dancer and I will be dancing and sharing stories of hope in black townships outside Pretoria. In addition we will participate in "cultural outreaches" in venues surrounding the World Cup, as well as teaching in a conference on justice in urban community development.  

From South Africa I return home and two days later (July 8^th) Katherine and I fly to my reservation, the Rosebud Lakota/Sioux Reservation in South Dakota to teach our annual "Cross-cultural Immersion Course." We will have about 15 students and 20 people on the team. This will be our fourth year of a ten-year partnership.

Your prayers and support help make all these things possible. For Katherine and myself, I want to say how much we appreciate your taking the time to read these ramblings and supporting our humble efforts!!

(This is a condensed email version of a more detailed report. Click here to read the full report and links to media reports).

Richard Twiss, Sicangu Lakota Oyate (Rosebud Sioux Tribe)

President, Wiconi International

360-546-1867