Native American Heritage Month, November 30th Webinar   Hidden in Plain Sight: A USCCB/MRS Anti-trafficking Newsletter November 2023 Issue 6 Native American Heritage Month  In this month's newsletter, "Hidden in Plain Sight," we are dedicated to celebrating and honoring Native American Heritage Month. Throughout November, we take the time to recognize the rich and diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples in the United States. Native American Heritage Month has its roots in the acknowledgment of Indigenous contributions to the establishment, growth, and history of the United States. Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian and Director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y., played a pivotal role in advocating for what was initially called "American Indian Day." He urged the Boy Scouts of America to select a day to honor the "First Americans" and their significant contributions to the nation. For three consecutive years, "American Indian Day" was celebrated, and in 1915, the Congress of the American Indian Association formally adopted this observance. On September 28, 1915, a proclamation declared the second Saturday of each May as American Indian Day and included a formal appeal for the recognition of Indians as American citizens. A Blackfoot Indian named Red Fox James rode his horse from state to state to seek endorsements for the official day of honoring Indians. He presented 24 endorsements from state governments to the White House, although there is no record of a formal day being proclaimed. In 1916, the first American Indian Day was celebrated on the second Saturday of May, initiated by the New York governor, and other states recognized the fourth Friday in September as the day to celebrate. In contemporary times, many people choose to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on Columbus Day, though it is not a national legal holiday. In the early 1990s, President George Bush officially declared November as "National American Indian Heritage Month," also known as "Native American Heritage Month" or "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month." The Role of The Church in Combatting Human Trafficking in Native Communities Pope Francis has consistently stood against the trafficking of persons, and has called it an "open wound in the body of Christ". He calls all Catholics to fight against this evil and to take steps to combat the crime of trafficking in persons. The Holy Father asks us to learn from the life of St. Josephine Bakhtia, who functions as a model of forgiveness and hope for survivors. The Holy Father's continuous support of groups like Talitha Kum, Caritas International, and Santa Marta Group, which are programs and organizations that help provide information for the greater community to implement programs, and strategies and raise awareness on the topic, is a demonstration of his support for this battle. Please see the links below for some examples of the Church's recent involvement with Native American communities: USCCB's role in Native Communities Pope Francis' 'Penitential Journey' to Canada THE FACTS: Victimization of Native Persons Due to the high poverty rates, overlapping legal jurisdictions, substance use disorders, discrimination, high engagement with the child welfare system, and other factors, indigenous populations are disproportionately at risk for human trafficking. For example, The National Foster Youth Institute reported that 60% of child sex trafficking victims come from individuals who have experience in foster care or the child welfare system. As of 2021, Native populations are four times more likely to have a child placed into foster care compared to their non-native counterparts living in the United States. This tendency is longstanding: statistics dating as far back as the 1970s report that 80% of Native Peoples living on reservations had one or more children in the foster care system, and 85% of those children received placements outside of their tribes or relatives (Potawatomi Nation). There are higher numbers of native children in foster care than across the US; American Indian/Alaska Native children are overrepresented at a rate of 2.4 times higher than their counterparts. Jurisdictional issues further complicate efforts to respond to trafficking situations. Due to issues related to national sovereignty and the limited resources that are a consequence, it can be challenging for tribal law enforcement to police potential trafficking situations. That said, recent legal developments have helped engage law enforcement to persecute crimes that occur within Indian Country, especially when crimes of violence were committed towards Native people and the perpetrator was a non-native offender. Previously, local prosecutors lacked jurisdiction and could not persecute non-natives, a troubling reality given reports that non-natives commit 97% of abuse cases. Non-native predators used this reality to their advantage due to the jurisdictional issues and barriers to prosecuting violent crimes committed by non-native people. Action Items Join us for a one-hour online webinar to discuss the cultural and historical overview of native communities, along with Catholic Ministry and Cultural Respect Among Native American Peoples - A Dynamic Webinar for Clergy, Religious Sisters, and Lay Faithful When: November 30th at 3 PM EST. Where: Zoom Link Presentation Recording This past summer, in July of 2023, the USCCB/MRS Anti-trafficking Education and Outreach Coordinator, Felicitas Brugo Onetti, along with two priests; Fr. Michael Carson, the Assistant Director to Native American Affairs at USCCB, and Fr. David Bailey, priest of the Diocese of Tyler, TX, participated in the Annual Tekakwitha Conference which took place on St.Paul Minneapolis, Minnesota. Native Catholics from across the United States gather for three days and share experiences, discuss important topics, and spend time in prayer. The keynote presentation titled “The Prevalence of Human Trafficking in Native and Indigenous Communities” was the opening discussion to kick off this annual event, and discuss the victimization of indigenous persons, risk factors for these populations, and the intersection of violence and human trafficking in these communities.. The recorded webinar can be found here for those interested in learning more. Images and presentation recordings are a courtesy from Dave Hrbacek, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Catholic Spirit Communications Office. Book List Here is an extensive Book List and Recommendations on Native American History, and some of the wonderful authors that have been able to capture history: Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American history by S.C. Gwyenne Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann Cowboys and Indians the Shooting of JJ Harper by Gordon Sinclair Jr. Red River Girl: The Life and Death of Tina Fontaine by Joanna Jolly The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present by David Treuer Rez Life: An Indian’s Journey Through Reservation Life by David Treuer Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West by Dee Brown Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants bu Robin Wall Kimmerer New Monthly Event: Prayer Service The anti-trafficking office has launched the St. Josephine Bakhita Working Group - a team of individuals who meet monthly to discuss and plan strategies related to different topics and issues pertaining to human trafficking. One of our initiatives includes a monthly prayer service that focuses on human trafficking and uses Scripture readings, prayers, and personal reflections meant to highlight this problem. We chose the 8th of every month as the date to hold these monthly prayer services in honor of the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, which takes place on February 8th. We are hoping to have this prayer reflection serve as an opportunity for education and ongoing conversation on the issue of human trafficking throughout the year to touch on the many issues that make someone vulnerable to exploitation. Each month we will use the same zoom link: [link removed] Prayer to St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Lilly of the Mohawks O Great Lily of the Mohawks, we ask that you take our intentions to the foot of the cross. Ask Jesus to bring healing to those who are heavily burdened. Through your intercession, may this favor be granted if it is according to the will of God. By your prayer, help us always to remain faithful to Jesus and to his Holy Church. St. Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us. Amen. Credit: Franciscan Media, Prayer to St. Kateri New Resource! We are thrilled to announce that we have a new St. Bakhita prayer card! Amy Heyse painted the beautiful piece of art that graces the front. Although we cannot print to order, we can share with you a PDF version of the prayer card. We also have the prayer card available in Spanish, please email [email protected] If you want to learn more about the USCCB/MRS' Anti-Trafficking Program, reach out to: Felicitas Brugo Onetti Anti-Trafficking Education and Outreach Coordinator Email: [email protected] Phone: (202) 541-3064   Our Company | Contact Us   USCCB | 3211 Fourth Street NE, Washington, DC 20017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!