Aurora's Wesley UMC to host Native American Heritage Month program

On Sunday, Nov. 7, Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora will welcome special guest Joseph Standing Bear from Midwest SOARRING Center to spotlight history between indigenous and non-indingenous North Americans. It will be 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 14 N. May St.

A talking circle for healing and reconciliation will follow.

The public is invited. Admission and parking are free. Advance registration is requested at bit.ly/3tGWMEW.

Joseph Standing Bear Schranz, enrolled member of the White Earth Band, Minnesota Ojibwe Nation, will lead an interactive native American blanket exercise.

"In light of November being Native American Heritage Month, you are invited to participate in an interactive activity designed to deepen your understanding of the denial of rights of Native Americans. It is called the Blanket Exercise and has been designed by KAIROS, a Canadian ministry working towards peace and justice," said the Rev. John Bell, Wesley UMC pastor.

"The exercise will help us understand how our Indigenous (original) peoples lost access to their land and what impact this loss had on their communities, both past and today. You will be put in the shoes of Indigenous peoples of this nation.

Following the activity, there will be time for debriefing and discussion.

"We hope you will join us in a time of learning, reflection and reconciliation," Rev. Bell said.

Call (630) 896-1033 or e-mail Michelle Curiel for more information at michellecuriel.wumc@gmail.com.