All money collected from non-pledge offerings on Sunday goes to a different designated organization each month. You can also make a Compassion Offering contribution online which will go to the current month’s organization. You may also send checks directly to the church at 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison WI 53711. To contribute to previous groups featured in Compassion Offerings, contact the groups directly. Archive of past Compassion Offerings.

Recipient organizations of the monthly Compassion Offering are selected by the Ministry of Christian Witness and Service (CWS). Any member of the ORUCC congregation or pastoral staff may nominate a recipient organization that falls within our guidelines. To review the guidelines and suggest an organization to be considered for a monthly Compassion Offering at ORUCC, please read and complete this form.

January Compassion Offering: The Wisconsin Intertribal Repatriation Committee (via The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council)

By Orchard Ridge UCC

January 1, 2025

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.