The Lake Union Conference was invited to participate in the Native Camp Meeting hosted by the Dakota Conference, July 28–30. Representing the Lake Union was Mary Bukowiec (Chippewa), a newly-baptized member of the Mt. Pleasant (Mich.) Adventist Church.

The camp meeting was held at Flag Mountain Camp in the Black Hills of S.D., about 24 miles from Crazy Horse Monument. Flag Mountain Camp is one of two youth camps owned by the Dakota Conference. Local residents and merchants of nearby Hill City say it is the best camp location in all the Black Hills.

The camp meeting theme was “The King Is Coming: Being a Disciple for Him.” Fred Rogers (Cherokee Nation), Native Ministry coordinator for the Carolina Conference, presented a new perspective on the “Invasion of America,” and revealed some very interesting facts about biblical theology in the roots of the “Seventh Sacred Direction” and the “Prophecy of the Peacemaker.” Fred is an ordained pastor and evangelist, and he and his wife Linda have done extensive research on native history and the similarities between some of the ancient traditional beliefs of Native Americans and the Bible. Participants were amazed at his discoveries and offered new insights from their own experiences and traditions.

The weekend provided many social opportunities for Native Americans from different tribes and regions to get acquainted and share their experiences and perspectives with one another. Sabbath afternoon was a time for personal presentations by some of the participants. Bukowiec was asked to share her personal testimony of how God led her to the Adventist church and how He provided healing to her through following His principles for health. Several who shared how God had miraculously worked in their lives were a source of encouragement to all. The testimonies provided a rich dimension to the weekend.

The event was organized by Debra Claymore (Cheyenne River Sioux), Dakota Conference Native Ministry coordinator. Claymore has her master's in education administration and is a program developer and director of substance abuse programs. She also serves as a consultant to many tribal groups across the country.

Our trip to the Native Camp Meeting included a tour of the Black Hills, the impressive Crazy Horse Monument (the largest sculpture in the world), and of course Mt. Rushmore. The Lake Union Native Ministry department is co-sponsoring the Native Camp Meeting next year at the same location, July 26–29, 2007. Plans are underway to provide transportation via coach from the Lake Union office to the Black Hills. The trip will include a tour of the Black Hills and other Native American sites as part of the camp meeting experience.

For further information, call the Lake Union Native Ministry department at 269-473-8200, or send e-mail to editor@luc.adventist.org.

Gary Burns, Lake Union Conference Native Ministry department director