Volunteer Opportunity

Liaison Between Faith Group and Native American Neighbors

The Bainbridge Island/North Kitsap Interfaith Council (IFC) is exploring ways in which we and our member congregations might help foster better understanding and relationships with our Native American neighbors, particularly those of the Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes. We believe that faith groups and their members can have important roles in helping to build bridges that can overcome the prejudices and mistrust that have too often divided Native American residents from their neighbors.

As one step in this effort, we are requesting each of our member congregations to consider asking between one and three interested members or friends of the congregation to act as liaisons between the congregation and a Suquamish-based group called the Suquamish Olalla Neighbors. This group, composed of Native Americans and other North Kitsap/Bainbridge people, was formed in the aftermath of the desecration of Chief Seattle's grave and is working for a stronger sense of community between tribal and nontribal residents of our area.

Liaison persons provide human channels of communication that could help weave a web of friendship and understanding among Native American and faith communities. They relay information to their congregations about opportunities to learn about and appreciate local Native American cultural traditions and about issues and needs faced by our tribal neighbors and how we can support dignity and justice for them. If they wish, these persons can also come to meetings, potlucks and informative events of the Suquamish Olalla Neighbors; and they may also receive invitations to attend events and ceremonies of the Suquamish or Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes.

We are very encouraged that thus far, volunteer liaison persons have stepped forward from several faith groups: Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship; Suquamish Community Congregational; Seabold United Methodist; Eagle Harbor Congregational; Chavurat Shir Ha’Yam; Baha’I Faith Group; and Agate Passage Friends Worship Group.

If your congregation has a volunteer or volunteers interested in this opportunity, it would be appreciated if their names and contact information (including an e-mail address, if any) could be forwarded to Rev. Tom Thresher, Pastor, Suquamish Community Congregational United Church of Christ: telephone; (360) 598-4434; e-mail; tomthresher@hotmail.com, or to IFC: emailus@northkitsapinterfaith.org.