National Native American Heritage Month in November is an occasion to honor the rich and varied customs of America’s Indigenous people while acknowledging their particular hardships. It comes as many Native Peoples also celebrate Thanksgiving with the rest of the nation.
Dwight Widaman, Metro Voice Editor
Metro Voice News has regularly reported on the need to honor Native American culture and the necessity of faith-based initiatives to improve their living conditions. We’ve highlighted how Christ-driven projects can help solve issues on reserves and heal cultural divisions.
This week we look at NickV Ministries‘ initiatives as evidence of the transforming power of Christ in one of the nation’s most at-risk communities. This kind of work reminds us very much of the historical and cultural contributions Native Americans have contributed to the United States.
“As we celebrate Thanksgiving and the founding fellowships of our nation, it’s a great time to also turn our attention to Native American history and so recognize the unique blessings and challenges within Native American Reservations today,” Nick Vujicic, founder and CEO of NickV Ministries, told Metro Voice.
READ: Christian Native Americans seek unity in nation
The ministry is empowered by the Christian faith to promote harmony. Through its Champions for the Brokenhearted program, it honors particular groups each month— veterans, the bullied, and, this November, Native Americans.
Native Americans—who today number about seven million in the United States—are represented by a tremendous diversity of tribes, dialects, and traditions. Their heritage includes their vital assistance to early Pilgrim colonists on the first Thanksgiving holiday. Indigenous people have long struggled with systematic issues including poverty, limited access to healthcare and education, and past land rights struggles.
Recent attention to efforts to solve these problems came from Nick Vujicic’s September visits to two reservations. When Vujicic thought back on the encounter, he said, “Hearing their experiences was both inspiring and heartbreaking. We did not go evangelizing as much as we did listening and learning. I appreciate the friendliness we were shown.”
Working together with Indigenous Leaders
Working with former NFL star Tuff Harris, founder of One Heart Warriors, Vujicic’s partnership highlights even more the significance of Native American outreach. Harris, who grew up on Lodge Grass, Montana’s Crow Indian Reservation, knows well the challenges many Indigenous young people encounter. Following a brilliant football career, Harris went back to Montana to serve the towns of his early years.
The cooperation produced Warrior Weekend, a Montana event meant to empower Native American leaders in service. Vujicic visited schools in the Northern Cheyenne town of Lame Deer, spoke with community leaders, and chatted with young people dealing with poverty, addiction, and loss during the event. His message of hope connected strongly and motivated daily prayers among students.
A highlight of the weekend was a celebration of faith and cultural legacy among people gathered on the Crow Fair Pow Wow grounds. The occasion gave participants times of connection and delight, therefore highlighting the healing power of community.
Vujicic stated, “Our trip to Montana was a reminder that hope is often found in the sharing of stories, in the strength of a community willing to listen and in the quiet moments where hearts are lifted — even if just for a while.
An expanded goal
The outreach of NickV Ministries to Native Americans fits its larger goal of sharing faith in Jesus Christ which empowers optimism. The organization has shared the gospel with over 45 million people since December 2023, of which more than a million have accepted Christ as their personal savior.
But the ministry doesn’t stop at the salvation decision. They continue to focus on listening, learning from, and helping Indigenous people.
November’s initiative will include an interview with Tuff Harris on the discipleship program of One Heart Warriors, which prepares young Indigenous people for leadership responsibilities.
Native American Heritage Month asks every American to consider the tenacity and accomplishments made by Indigenous people. With alliances like those NickV Ministries fosters, the month provides a chance to advance understanding, strengthen relationships, and tackle continuing issues.
Visit the website of NickV Ministries for further details.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice