Original message of unity still relevant for the Church on National Indigenous People's Day: Ministry leader

A local ministry leader is encouraging Christians to take time to understand and build relationships with Indigenous communities and individuals. 

Roger Armbruster from Niverville, Man., is the Director of Canada Awakening Ministries. He's worked closely with Indigenous people since the 1980s throughout his ministry. 

"I love visiting in those communities and not only sharing but learning from them the things they have to teach us as well," says Armbruster.

One of the things Armbruster has come to understand in a real way through visiting Indigenous communities is that for all people, the land we live on doesn't belong to people. That people are simply stewards of the land.

"If the church is to address the social-economic and environmental issues of our day, we better have the voice of the Indigenous peoples. Otherwise, we stop short of preaching the gospel and going to heaven, which is good, but what about the issues on the earth? It's these Indigenous issues that are front and centre in our nation right now."

June 21 is National Indigenous People's Day. Armbruster encourages Christians everywhere to engage in meaningful relationships with the Indigenous community. 

"To go back to the origin of National Indigenous People's Day, it goes back to a sacred assembly that Elijah Harper, from Red Sucker Lake, called way back in 1995. It was attended by over 3,000 delegates, including the leaders of all the denominations of Canada and every political party was represented. That's when the government said we're going to declare June 21 as National Indigenous People's Day."

Armbruster has seen time and again that the heart of First Nations people is to share what they have. Connecting with different people groups comes down to the gospel message of living for others, and God, rather than just for oneself. 

"It's really important we get to know one another. Disciples are made by engaging with people from different nations. Jesus said we make believers from individuals but we make disciples of nations. We've got to know what each nation carries of the knowledge of God. We can learn something from the people of every nation, especially the First Nations. The original people of the land have many things to teach us."

To hear the entire conversation, listen to the interview above.