Events at the Congressional Cemetery to Honor Native Americans
05/07/2010Cemeteries are places of reflection as well as tangible reminders of our history and heritage. Since 1807, the Congressional Cemetery has been serving the nation as sacred ground for Congressman and tradesmen, diplomats and domestics, explorers and architects, soldiers and musicians. Among the 55,000 individuals and 30,000 burial sites are 36 Native Americans. Many of those interred at the Congressional Cemetery were far from their native lands serving their people in treaty negotiations when they died.
The Faith and Politics Institute has partnered with representatives of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Pawnee Nations to present 2 events for the purpose of honoring Native Americans.
Rep. Jim McDermott is serving as our honorary co-host
A Time of Service - MAY 18, 2010 - 9:00-11:00 am
Join us to clean, weed, and help restore some of the Native American graves in the cemetery. Under the guidance of professionals, we will devote a few hours of attention to these often neglected graves. Following the time of service, there will be a short time of story-telling and refreshments.
A Time of Re-dedication and Story-Telling
MAY 19, 2010 - 8:30-10:00 am
Join us as we rededicate portions of the cemetery where our Native American brothers and sisters are buried. As part of this presentation, the Resolution of Apology to Native Americans, recently passed by the US Congress, will be read and acknowledged. Following that, we will offer a time of Story-Telling with guided tours through the cemetery where participants will experience living history with character portrayals of a number of the Native Americans buried there.
Please spread the word and join us.
Sincerely -
Robin Fillmore
The Faith and Politics Institute
202-546-1299