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January Compassion Offering:
The Wisconsin Intertribal Repatriation Committee
(via The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council)
Vision and Mission: The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. (GLITC) shall be a diligent advocate for the advancement and promotion of tribal nations and communities by honoring the seventh-generation perspective. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life for all Native people.
Values: Culture, Respect, Diversity, Collaboration, Teamwork, Stewardship
History and Background:
The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. (GLITC) is a consortium of federally recognized Indian tribes in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Since 1963, GLITC has united tribes against the threat of termination and helped tribes face challenges of governance and services for their communities.
Today, GLITC supports member tribes in expanding self-determination efforts and advocating for improvement and unity of tribal governments, communities and individuals. This unity has enabled tribes to deal effectively with state and local governments, academic institutions and other agencies. The GLITC staff currently manage approximately 45 programs in education, epidemiology, family health, nutrition education, aging, disability services, elder services, vocational rehabilitation, and economic development.
The Wisconsin Intertribal Repatriation Committee (WITRC) represents these federally recognized tribes, working under the umbrella of GLITC since 1995. Members, usually tribal historians or elders, meet quarterly with representatives of state and local government and museums to streamline the sensitive work of repatriating Native American ancestors and cultural objects to their modern-day descendants. These objects are found in museums, private or academic collections, construction sites, hiking trails, or parks disturbed by human activity or natural conditions. Objects and ancestors may be located far beyond Wisconsin. WITRC works collectively to share funds, equipment and knowledge, ensuring these efforts are accomplished with due spiritual care. Other efforts of WITRC representatives include consultation, education, and heritage preservation.
Over the past two years, church leaders (with process guidance from the Wisconsin Council of Churches), have attended some of these meetings as observer-learners and to present gifts toward relationship repair. This has been a source of education and spiritual growth and has spurred Wisconsin Christians toward indigenous justice efforts. Increased awareness of the activities of Indigenous peoples and their governments in Wisconsin can help us be better neighbors and allies.
GLITC member tribes represent communities of five Indian Nations on 12 reservations, a combined American Indian population of 40,026 (US Census 2010), and a land base of about 500,000 acres spanning 31 counties. https://www.glitc.org/
Your donation to the January Compassion Offering will support the work of the Wisconsin Intertribal Repatriation Committee. Thank you in advance for any amount that you may choose to give.
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