Church celebrates Native Americans

The people of Community of Hope Church welcomed the members of the Ak-Chin Indian Community to services Sunday dedicated to recognizing Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

The performers of RainSong and Ak-Chin Community Chairman Louis Manuel Jr. shared their visions of what it takes to join different people within a greater community.

Terry and Darlene Wildman, who make up the RainSong music and storytelling group, often brought attendees to their feet.

Before Chairman Manuel spoke, Pastor Rusty Akers presented him with a Father’s Eye blanket. Akers said it reminded him of how fathers watch over their children and community.

Manuel told those gathered he wanted them to know about the two communities, two governments, living side by side.

“We’re here to help each other, we’re here to help this community on a positive note,” Manuel said.

He said Ak-Chin translates to: “Where water loses itself in sand.”

Manuel said his Community has not always been at the point it is today. It wasn’t long ago community members had dirt floors in their homes, no running water and no electricity.

Manuel said his tribal members struggle against issues with drug abuse, alcohol abuse and gangs, just like the other communities.

The Community serves its people and others by providing jobs, citing the new Ak-Chin Multi-tainment Centers, which opened last week.

“The Ak-Chin community is always going to be open to hearing you,” Manuel said.

Kristina Bovey said after Sunday’s event, the service was “the biggest eye opener” when it comes to education about the Indian community.

Akers said recognizing this month was especially important because Maricopa sits between two of the largest Indian reservations in Arizona. The Gila River Indian Community also touches the city.

“We’re a church that believes in community,” Akers said. “How can we connect with the communities and actually create a better way of life for all of us?”

Akers said a few weeks ago he asked people if they knew November was Native American Heritage Month and roughly 2 percent were aware. It’s been around for almost 20 years and no one even knows about it, he said.

Akers said his goal is to just make people aware: “Our history as Americans is rooted into this Native American culture and their communities and we just tend to push them aside.”

‘I don’t see it as an intentional thing, I just think it’s being naive,” Akers said.

After the service, Terry Wildman said he and his wife work to bridge the gap between the cultures with their storytelling and music.

The Wildmans are members of the church and have done other events for the church in the past, Akers said.

Wildman said he is of Native American heritage, but was not raised in his culture. He has since reconnected to his Ojibwe roots.