Spirit of Life
is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are focused on the formation of communities of faith which provide opportunities for the Gospel to be shared in Word, Sacrament and Fellowship.
Star Quilts of this design have been given to the Tribal Councils of the Flathead Reservation, Rocky Boy and Fort Peck Reservation along with a formal apology from the Montana Synod. The center of the quilt is a Luther Rose which symbolizes the love of the Creator for all people. The Montana Synod is in the process of visiting all 7 current reservations as well as the Little Shell Band when officially designated. Fort Peck Reservation was the first reservation to receive the apology and quilt.
Montana Synod Apology:
Adopted by the Montana Synod, June 6, 2010
Recognizing the long history of injustice towards the Indigenous Tribal Peoples of the United
States, we, the Montana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, express our
profound sorrow and repentance for the grief and pain suffered in the past and in the present. For
too long, we have remained silent, ignored the violence perpetrated against the Tribes, ignored
the violation of treaties, and ignored the tragic aftermath that haunts the original peoples of the
land.
We ask for forgiveness, forgiveness for what we have done, and what we have failed to do.
As a sign of our repentance and a desire to be reconciled, we pledge to walk with our brothers
and sisters of the Tribal Nations. We offer our support for the honoring of treaty rights, the
healing of lives torn asunder by forced cultural changes, loss of language, racism and poverty.
We will stand with The Tribes in honoring the sacred sites and ceremonies. Let it be known to all
the Tribes that our door is open to you and we are here to listen and to work for a better
tomorrow for all of the Creator’s people.
For more information about the Montana Synod and contact information: www.montanasynod.org/
For more information regarding the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: www.elca.org/
Montana Synod Apology:
Adopted by the Montana Synod, June 6, 2010
Recognizing the long history of injustice towards the Indigenous Tribal Peoples of the United
States, we, the Montana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, express our
profound sorrow and repentance for the grief and pain suffered in the past and in the present. For
too long, we have remained silent, ignored the violence perpetrated against the Tribes, ignored
the violation of treaties, and ignored the tragic aftermath that haunts the original peoples of the
land.
We ask for forgiveness, forgiveness for what we have done, and what we have failed to do.
As a sign of our repentance and a desire to be reconciled, we pledge to walk with our brothers
and sisters of the Tribal Nations. We offer our support for the honoring of treaty rights, the
healing of lives torn asunder by forced cultural changes, loss of language, racism and poverty.
We will stand with The Tribes in honoring the sacred sites and ceremonies. Let it be known to all
the Tribes that our door is open to you and we are here to listen and to work for a better
tomorrow for all of the Creator’s people.
For more information about the Montana Synod and contact information: www.montanasynod.org/
For more information regarding the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: www.elca.org/