What To Expect Serving In An American Indian Community

There are a lot of things to think about as you prepare to go on your mission trip, but one thing you don’t want to overlook is the setting of your service. Where you serve matters! Here are just a few things to get you started as you prepare to serve in an American Indian Community.

 

 

Life in an American Indian Community

 

Beauty and pain… Even the most seasoned traveler can be overwhelmed by both in the American Indian community. You will probably encounter evidence of a people and culture that have been systematically oppressed for over 100 years. But you will also encounter men, women and children who are passionate about their culture, their sense of identity, and their grasp of the relationships and space around them. You will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the landscape and humbled by those who are willing to share their culture and history with you.

 

Life in American Indian communities may feel slower but to simply say it’s slow misses the bigger picture. The focus of life in these communities is always about relationships. Schedules and plans are secondary to friendships. Getting to the next thing is less important than being present now. YouthWorks has been facilitating mission trips in American Indian communities for over 20 years, and we are continually confronted with the fact that real service cannot happen outside the context of relationships. We desire for students, adult leaders and staff to learn that people matter, attitudes are important, and the posture of our hearts determines how we connect with others. Our hope is that your time in this community will not only raise awareness of life on the reservation, but also move you to reflect on the impact that you can have in your own community using the knowledge you will gain throughout the week.

 

As you serve in the community, you may encounter various levels of poverty and the challenges remaining from the oppression Native Americans have endured. The reality is that every community has its struggles. Rather than only seeing the poverty, look through it to learn from those you meet in the community. You’ll find that the stereotypes you’ve held about people – or certain kinds of people – may not hold true. We invite you to join us as we continue to let go of preconceptions and interact with people as they are and not as we expect them to be.

 

As you prepare, ask your group these questions:

• What are some ways culture or ethnicity impact our faith, ministry and relationships?
• How can the views from our culture impact your week in a different culture?
• What are some stereotypes we might have about the community we are visiting? How might these be untrue?

 

 

Serving in an American Indian Community

 

At YouthWorks, we have learned that there are a number of typical reactions you and your group may experience as you step into this type of community. Understanding key aspects of a community before entering it will help your leaders and youth respond appropriately. Here are a few we’d like to highlight for you.

 

Time sensitivity. Spending time with people is valued more than being on time. As a result, things don’t always run on schedule; community members may show up “late” to an event. This is not a sign of disrespect. When you meet someone for the first time, think about “visiting” instead of “meeting.” Spend time with people before you try to get things done.

 

Quietness/Listening. American Indian communities tend to be quiet places. The culture values quietness and listening. Please be mindful that in large groups we can be very loud. When in public places or service sites, try to be mindful of volume. You might find that conversations feel awkward. This may be because American Indian culture values listening. Don’t be afraid of silent times in a conversation, sit in the silence, enjoy the beauty around you and wait for someone to speak.

 

Handshakes/Eye Contact. You may notice that people in the community don’t look you in the eye when you are visiting with them. Some cultures don’t value eye contact; this is normal. Handshakes may also be different, as some American Indian cultures don’t value a “hard” handshake. Come with a soft grip.

 

Photographs. Each tribe is different when it comes to photographing. Some people do not want to be photographed while others do not mind. Some places or events should not be photographed because they are sacred for the tribe. Be respectful and ask permission.

 

No matter where you serve, you have the incredible opportunity do something meaningful alongside unique individuals whom God calls sons and daughters. How will you prepare for the place, so you can more effectively serve and learn from the people?

 

Learn more about the communities we serve in HERE: Small Urban, Large Urban, and Small Town.

 

CLICK HERE to receive more information on serving with YouthWorks!