AN INDIGENOUS RELIGIOUS CENTRE
WELCOME to our indigenous,
religious and educational Centre created by the Indian Ecumenical
Conference (IEC). The IEC brought together First Nations religious leaders from
across this North American Island in the early seventies. They authorized
the creation of the Centre in 1972. It is designed to develop Native reflection
and scholarship by North American First Nations peoples about their aboriginal,
religious, cultural and social heritage. It was incorporated as the
Centre for Indian Scholars.
We invite you to explore the achievements of the Centre and the challenges which
face the spiritual leaders of the tribal peoples in North America. While our
head office is located in Vancouver we represent a network of religious
practitioners throughout the continent who convene local gatherings from time to
time. Our goal for 2012 is to invite 100 spiritual leaders to a four day
consultation. A major purpose of this 2012 Indian Ecumenical Conference will be
to provide opportunities for discussion of ways “to strengthen both our
communities and cultures”. The need for such discussion is urgent in the light
of social ills facing First Nations and the friction between Christians and
traditional religion in many villages which destroys the social cohesion of
families and their communities. Another primary and urgent need is addressing
the growing global awareness of climate change. First Nations people have
asserted for a long time that Turtle Island, known as North America is rapidly
being destroyed. The awareness of a “Sacred Universe” may provide the world with
some helpful direction. Indigenous prophecies speak of the need to address
sacred law and relations.
You can explore some of the work we have accomplished through FOUR Robert K.
Thomas symposiums. Bob was one of the founders of the IEC and the Centre,
an anthropologist and university professor and a
world renowned Cherokee religious practitioner and thinker. Our last symposium
explored traditional wisdom and law. Check out the videos of this by
pressing here.
We have spent many years negotiating with the
Native Ministries Consortium, the
Wilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a Institute and
Vancouver School of Theology to develop programs
fostering First Nations Religion and Spirituality. We have created a consortium
named Yuuhadaax which will provide the major aboriginal resources for
new.gif)
and ground breaking Masters degrees in Indigenous and Inter
Religious Studies.
We hope you enjoy exploring this site and please contact us if you have any questions. The Centre receives no funding from government but is dependent on the generosity of its donors. Please consider making a donation.
THE CENTRE HAS TAX DEDUCTIBLE STATUS AS A CHARITABLE INSTITUTION.
INDIVIDUALS OR CORPORATIONS WHO WISH TO MAKE DONATIONS TO THE CENTRE MAY
ALSO SEND THEIR
CONTRIBUTION TO THE SECRETARY/TREASURER, THE CENTRE
FOR INDIAN SCHOLARS, 6000 IONA DRIVE, VANCOUVER, BC,
V6T 1L4. CHEQUES SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO THE CENTRE FOR INDIAN SCHOLARS.