Protocol & Worldview In First Nations Culture
This weeks blogging will be quite different than normal as we are currently hosting the Youth With A Mission Western Canada Leadership Team (YWAM WCLT) meetings here in Winnipeg. We began yesterday evening, but are currently jumping into the agenda this morning with some exciting emphasis. More than half of our ministries in Western Canada are engaged with or to First Nations people and/or communities. YWAM, especially in our district, seeks to engage culture mindful of the history of of Western Christianity destroying and even demonizing it, moving rather towards reconciliation, mutuality and respect.
Part of this has been acknowledging and practicing our missional engagement through the context of indigenous protocol, honouring the people we are meeting as the host peoples of this nation (and specifically in our regions). Here in Winnipeg, some of the church/youth groups that work with us are often confused and concerned when they come to our office and spot tobacco on our supply shelf. The reason we have this is to give to the elders we meet with on occassion in the city. This is a simple aspect of protocol, with many others being very complex. Note, protocol is not these acts themselves, but the worldview beneath and within them.
Obviously, as Christians we need to be informed and careful so not unwittingly support, promote or participate in compromising practices. However, with very few exceptions, while unfamiliar to us, the vast majority of these protocols are cultural practices that in no way violate our Christian faith. Further, there are so many wise Christians leaders within the First Nations community whose voices have been too long ignore my the (largely white) church. The beauty of the results is worth the work.
However, alongside protocol, we also want to learn to enter into partnership with the First Nations people. While we do ministry to and for them, we desperately need to do ministry with them, even learn from them. Again, this is not to say that protocol is simply a ritual or ceremonial act that has to happen before the “real stuff” begins. Protocol is an integrated worldview. In order to build partnership, we need to get beyond this one dimensional view of protocol and be willing to humble ourselves to learn how to build genuine relationships.
As critical as this is for YWAM, it is equally critical for the Canadian (and North American) church. I look forward to the coming discussion, though not with a degree of fear- not negatively, but out of reverent expectation. I’ll keep you posted.
Do you have any questions about this issue? Do you have any stories or experiences? I’d really love to hear from you.
