CLICK HERE TO REGISTER | Deadline to register is February 27, 2020.
The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC) is now accepting registrations for its fourth annual Native immersion experience to be held March 11-15, 2020 in Oklahoma City. The experience provides history, context, and unique perspective on Native peoples in The United Methodist Church. In addition, Oklahoma Natives proudly share their traditions and culture throughout the event.
“The immersion experience is important because it teaches you so much more than books can,” said the Rev. David Wilson, Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference Superintendent. Wilson says participants come from all over the United States to participate. “Meeting people face-to-face and learning about our ministries in the OIMC help people to better understand who we are as Native United Methodist.”
The experience is concentrated on three tribal areas which are within a two-and-a-half-hour radius of Oklahoma City. On the first day, participants visit the Oklahoma History Center which includes information regarding the 39 tribes in the state of Oklahoma. The group then goes to Ponca City to visit the Standing Bear Park, which includes a 22-foot bronze statue of the Ponca leader. The group will learn about Standing Bear’s role in determining the “humanity” of his people and Native peoples. The day wraps up with a panel discussion with tribal leaders from the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church.
On day two, participants are scheduled to visit the Washita “massacre” Battlefield Site in Cheyenne, Oklahoma. This is the place where General George Armstrong Custer massacred 30-60 Cheyenne, mostly women and children. The events took place two years after the massacre at Sand Creek where Col. John Chivington, a Methodist clergyman, ordered the cavalry to charge on 160 Cheyenne and Arapaho women and children. Participants will tour the cultural center and take a guided walk through the area where the massacre took place, which is about 1.5 miles. The group will also visit the Clinton Indian Church and Community Center to hear a panel on the Washita massacre and what is currently happening among the tribal people in that area.
“It was emotional to remember the history and the people who died,” said Glenda Hill from the Desert Southwest Conference who participated in the immersion experience in March 2018. “The culture that they come from still continues today. It’s 150 years later and, thankfully, we are still honoring that culture.”
On the third day, the group will travel to an OIMC church for a traditional and authentic “wild onion dinner”. For generations, Native people have gathered wild onions in the spring and mix them with fried scrambled eggs along with several other traditional dishes. Sunday morning will be reserved for participants to visit churches in OIMC.
The registration cost for the event is $225.00 per person which will cover all of the meals and entry fees. OIMC provides a chartered bus during the area tours. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Oklahoma City as well as booking their rooms at the Best Western Plus Saddleback Inn and Conference Center, 4300 SW 3rd in Oklahoma City. The costs of the hotel is separate from the registration fee. The number to the hotel is 405-947-7000. The rate is $69.99 for a single and $74.99 for double occupancy. Ask for the “OIMC Immersion event.” The deadline to reserve rooms at this rate is February 19, 2020.
“We have had a wide variety of participants including both lay and clergy, volunteers, and United Methodists who just have a heart for Native ministries,” said Wilson. He says if any participant needs assistance with the fee to contact the OIMC office. “Everyone is welcome to come and learn more about Native United Methodists and experience our culture and traditions.”
The deadline to register for the immersion experience is February 27, 2020. For more information contact the OIMC office at 405-632-2006 or via email at Dwilson@oimc.org.
