Welcome!
International Aboriginal Ministries is an integrated auxiliary of and is wholly supported by the International Aboriginal Church.
International Aboriginal Ministries - Online is our home on the Internet's World Wide Web. We hope to see this site and our intertribal non-denominational interfaith ministry grow. Please tour the pages currently available on the site; send us your questions, if you have any -- and check back soon for updates.
Some History
International Aboriginal Ministries (IAM) began in 1986 with the vision of one man of Seneca, Blackfoot and French heritage. Over the years the ministry has grown, which led to a need to restructure the organization in 2001 when the International Aboriginal Church was formed and the ministries were re-organized as auxiliaries of the Church.
Who We Are!
As you tour our pages you'll note rather quickly that this ministry is not about "converting" Native People, or anyone else, from or to a particular faith. It is about people helping people of all tribes and nations.
To learn more about IAM, what we are and what we are not, please see our About page.
International Aboriginal Church
The International Aboriginal Church is not based on any single religious tradition or belief system. We are an interfaith ministry rooted in the cultures of our ancestors. Each of our congregations are composed of members who live in accordance with their local traditional cultural beliefs. In general, the members of the International Aboriginal Church and its ministries:
- Strongly believe that there is one Creator, one God, one Great Mystery who hears all prayers.
- Strongly believe in tolerance and acceptance and that each person has the right to develop their own personal relationship with the Creator according to the dictates of their own heart and spirit.
- Strongly believe that no one has the right to coerce anyone to convert away from their own faith and beliefs. As Tecumseh is reported to have said: "Bother no man about his religion."
- Strongly believe that we are here to respect and protect Mother Earth and to respect and help each other.
- Strongly believe in the sovereignty of all Indigenous Peoples of all Native Nations.
- Stand firmly against the theft of culture including the misappropriation and abuse of religious and spiritual rites, rituals, and ceremonies by anyone who is not a member of the culture from which it arose.
- Stand firmly against the conduct of religious and spiritual activities (including rites, rituals, and ceremonies) in exchange for financial or other material gain, regardless of the method of that gain.
- Stand firmly against the use of mind-altering drugs, including alcohol.
As required by U.S. Federal laws, here is our Statement of Faith, our Code of Doctrine and our Code of Discipline.
Spirituality, Faith and Practice
The overall focus of the Church is on helping all people -- including non-Native Americans -- to recognize the universal Spiritual Truths and Laws taught by all of our ancestors, and encouraging all people to live these Truths in their own way in every aspect of their lives. We recognize that there are many people who are looking for this "center" in their lives, or Native Americans going "back to the blanket," often get caught up in cults, scams and other ripoffs by those motivated by greed or control issues. In response to the rise in cults and the increasing abuse of Native
American ceremonies, we hope you will take time to read "Cults, Ceremonies and Teaching Native American Spirituality" written by Ed Littlefox.
Test your Native American IQ then pop back here.
Programs and Projects
The goal of our ministry is to enable people of all tribes and nations to help themselves and others. The Programs and Projects sponsored by IAM have been designed to address the most pressing needs we have identified. The focus is truly "international" in scope and extent. In the top menu of each web page, you'll find a link to our Projects page which contains a basic summary of each of our Programs and Projects. Other pages on our website provide additional details on each of our programs.
If you know of a Native family or community in need, regardless of tribe, please let us know. We'll try to help.
If you would like to volunteer to help with any of these endeavors, please contact us.
About the Quotations
Our Quotation pages each contain a quote by people from a variety of races, creeds and religions. We hope you'll find a little inspiration in these picture postcards or a few words that will brighten your day. Various quotations are also on the bottom of each web page.
The Daily Meditations link will take you off this site to the Elder's Meditation of the Day provided by White Bison. The Directors of IAM start each day reflecting and praying on the daily meditation. The following is one of our favorites:
| From: Elder's Meditation of the Day - September 19: |
"I am building myself. There are many roots. I plant, I pick, I prune. I consume."
--- Wendy Rose, HOPI/MIWOK |
| "The most sacred thing on this Mother Earth is life. My life on this earth is governed by God's laws, principles and spiritual values. These things are my roots. Let me see Your gifts of growing and becoming a spiritual warrior. Make my strength based on values --- spiritual values; on principles and laws, the laws of God that really run the universe. We need to realize the seeds we plant in the spring will be what shows up in our summer season of growth and will be the fruits that we will harvest in our fall season. We really have a lot to do with what shows up in our lives." |
| "Great Spirit, let my seed that I plant today be based on values that will make You pleased with my selection." |
Disclaimers
Please do not confuse us with other organizations!
The International Aboriginal Church is not affiliated in any way with the organization formally known as the "Native American Church."
The International Aboriginal Church and its ministries are not affiliated in any way with the organizations found on the internet at "www.iam-online.net." Please note the website address is almost exactly the same as our URL; but this site uses ".net" and we are ".org". The other group has several "ministries" but is not in any way something we would condone or pursue.
"Today, what is important for us is to realize that the old sacred ways are correct, and that if we do not follow them we will be lost and without a guide."
-- Thomas Yellowtail, Crow
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