Richard Leo Twiss, 1954-2013

Former MPI Board Chairman Richard Leo Twiss,

Tayoate Ob Najin “He Stands with his People,”

passed from this life and into the next, February 9,

2013 in Washington, DC encircled by his wife,

Katherine, and sons Andrew, Phillip, Ian, and Daniel.

Richard was born in 1954 on the Rosebud Reserva-

tion, South Dakota among his mother Winona

(Larvie) LaPointe’s people, the Sicangu Band of the

Rosebud Lakota/Sioux. Richard's father, Franklin

(Buster) Twiss (deceased) was Oglala from the Pine

Ridge Reservation also in South Dakota. Though the

family moved to Oregon when Richard was seven,

his mom ensured they made regular summer visits

back home in order to stay

connected with family and

culture.

After graduating from high

school in 1972, Richard

moved back to Rosebud to

attend Sinte Gleska,

“Spotted Tail” College. It

was here that he became

involved in the American Indian Movement,

strengthened his connection with relatives, and deep-

ened his appreciation for Lakota culture.

Richard wandered for a while, ending up on the is-

land of Maui in Hawaii, where late one night, alone

on a deserted beach, Creator responded to Richard’s

desperate prayer, and made Himself known to him.

From that night in 1974 until his passing, Richard

was on a spiritual journey to live a meaningful life as

a Lakota follower of the Jesus Way.

Richard met and fell in love with Katherine Kroshus,

wedding her in 1976. His proudest legacy is his four

boys: Andrew (Diana), Phillip, Ian (Toni), Daniel, and

grandsons, Ezra and Leo.

In February 1997, Richard and Katherine founded the

non-profit ministry of Wiconi International, through

which they touched the lives of many thousands of

people. Richard and Terry LeBlanc became fast

friends in the early 1990s, traveling extensively in

ministry together over the next 15+ years. In 2000

Richard, together with Terry and others in the contex-

tual ministry movement, co-founded NAIITS (North

American Institute for Indigenous Theological Stud-

ies). During the years that followed Richard also

served as chairman of the board for My People Inter-

national, was a member of the CCDA (Christian Com-

munity Development Association), and

co-founder together with Terry and oth-

ers of Evangelicals4Justice in the USA.

In 2011, Richard earned his doctorate, a

D.Miss. from Asbury Theological Semi-

nary. Until his passing, Richard contin-

ued his teaching career through the

NAIITS program, Portland State Uni-

versity, and other institutions of higher

education.

Richard authored a number of books, pamphlets and

articles over the years. His first book, One Church,

Many Tribes, reached many people with the message

of an inculturated faith in Jesus.

We have lost a best friend, fellow traveler, mentor and

colleague in ministry but in the Lakota tradition, there

is no word for goodbye. Instead, we simply say,

“Toksa ake (We’ll see you again), brother, and

friend!” ~ Terry LeBlanc

OUR Vision

“Every Native North Ameri-

can person will embrace a life

-giving relationship with the

person of Jesus – and experi-

ence that relationship in a

Native North American Way.”

Our mission

“To communicate the teach-

ings of Jesus to Native North

American people in a cultur-

ally relevant way; to encour-

age Native North American

life to be centered in a spiri-

tual relationship with Jesus;

and, to facilitate culturally

appropriate participation of

Native people within the wider

community of those who

follow Jesus.”

Tayoate Ob Najin “He

Stands With His People”

...pg. 1

Upcoming Nestooaak

...pg. 2

Creator God with Us

through Grief ...pg. 2

NAIITS Symposium

...pg. 3

Upcoming Events

...pg. 3

Osmosis ...pg. 4

My People International Spring 2013

Volume VII Issue 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Photographs provided by redletterchristians.org, where you can find

additional tributes to Richard Twiss.

Spring 2013 ~ Volume VII Issue 1 ~ Page 2

training we address challenges experienced by Native People

and others as they seek to live out a faithful walk in the way of

Jesus. Native people need to be understood by the non-Native

community and we need to find good ways to walk together for

the well-being of all.

Presenters: Terry LeBlanc, (Mi'kmaq/Acadian), Ray Aldred

(Cree) and Vincent Yellow Old Woman (Siksika)

Each of the three sessions will be followed

by animated small group discussion.

Costs: $30 per person includes coffee breaks

and a full luncheon on Saturday.

Workshop Times: Friday 7:00 pm, Saturday

9:00 am, 1:00 pm

Website registration:

www.riverparkchurch.com

Tim Stime, Nestooaak Coordinator tim@mypeopleinternational.com Call: 780.967.1000

We hope to see you there.

One of the presentations that I have done over the years in many

gatherings and conferences is on Grief. The idea came when we realized

that we as a First Nations people have experienced and are still experi-

encing many personal loss, including the losses of loved ones through so

many kinds of death. Grief is one of the painful experiences that we face

and that needs to be addressed. The first few times, our presentation

only covered the definition, symptoms and self care one needs in their

journey of grief. The workshop now includes God as the Creator of life,

and God as the ultimate Comforter in our grief.

Almost a year ago at one of the annual conferences one of the plan-

ning committee members shared afterwards about how much it meant to

her to hear about God as part of the grief journey. It made her realize

how God the Father is always at work in reconciling us back to Him ~

even through and in our experience of grief. Ultimately, He did this

through the birth and death of His Son Jesus Christ as He Himself ex-

perienced immense grief. This woman went on to share how encourag-

ing and moving it was for her to see and hear this kind of teaching on

grief. She came away with a new understanding that God is pursuing her

and others through

the good and even

through the pain-

ful.

As she spoke I

remembered a

similar comment

from another par-

ticipant at a differ-

ent conference on

abuse where we

had set aside one

hour for the topic

of grief. One of

the participants

who was there was

a man from one of

the isolated com-

munities in north-

ern Canada. During our response time at the end of the confer-

ence this man said that it was the first time he heard God and scripture

being included in a grief talk and how it was such a freeing experience

for him.

We have a section in the recovery part of the workshop that we

titled, “Learn to See God in the Midst of Your Pain.” Psalm 23 is one

of the chapters that we refer to in the teaching. We specifically focus

on verse 4 that says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the

shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” We remind

the participants that God has made a promise to walk with us when we

go through the valley experiences of our lives. He wants us to know

that we are not alone during the dark time of grieving. He knew that

we would have dark valleys while here on this earth and so He already

spoke into that pain.

Many times in our work with people we find that it is often very

difficult for them to see God clearly because of their overwhelming

pain. Often people can turn away from God at these times because

they come to conclude that God does not care. Their belief is that if

He did care they would not be experiencing the overwhelming pain

that comes from grief. It is a challenge then that we give to the par-

ticipants, to learn to see God in the midst of the pain ~ to see His pres-

ence with them in the darkness.

This section of our talk ends with Ps 23:5 and how God prepares a

table before us in the presence of our enemies. I make mention how

God is not threatened by our enemies. He calmly and purposefully

goes about caring for us even in the presence of our enemies and in

this life death is one of those enemies. This passage gives us an image

of God’s strength, power, and authority over our enemies.

The two people mentioned in

this story were encouraged and

uplifted in knowing that God is

always part of our life experi-

ences, both the good ones and

the painful ones. What a hope

and promise for all of us.

~ Linda Martin

Building Our Capacity

"The Great Divide: Challenges & options

for change in Native & non-Native

relationships”

March 15-16, 2013

River Park Church ~ Calgary, AB

You are Cordially Invited…

A major function of My People International is to train and

mentor Native and non-Native men and women to be more ef-

fective in personal, family and community life and thus more

effective in sharing the Good News of Jesus. At our Nestooaak

Location: Vancouver Area

Date: TBA

For more details contact Jen Cole via

jennifer@mypeopleinternational.com

Vincent Yellow Old Woman (Photo from

Siksika Nation)

Board of Directors ~ Cheryl Bear, Carrier Sekani, Musician, Pastor ~ Shari Russell, Treas., Saulteaux, Corps Officer, Salvation Army ~ Wendy Peterson, Sect’y, Metis, Faculty, Providence Seminary ~ Randy Woodley, Keetowah, Faculty, George Fox Seminary ~ Cornelius Buller, German CDN ~ Casey Church, Pottawotomi, Pastor, Albuquerque Native Fellowship ~ Andrea Smith, Cherokee, Faculty, U of C Riverside Staff & Associates ~ Ray and Elaine Aldred (Cree) ~ Tiara Bacon (Philipina) ~ Tom and Karen Bursma (Euro-American) ~ David Arnold and Jen Cole-Arnold (Australian and Euro-American) ~ Laurie Conway (Euro-American) ~ Celine & Hector Bastien Genest (Huron/French Canadian) ~ Wes & Summer Graham (Euro-American) ~ Matt LeBlanc, (Mi’kmaq/Acadian) ~ Terry and Bev LeBlanc (Mi’kmaq/Acadian) ~ Rick and Linda Martin (Cree) ~ Michelle Nieviadomy (Cree) ~ Tim & Yin Mooi Stime (Norwegian & Malaysian) ~ Karen & Jeff Ward (Euro-Canadian)

Upcoming Conferences and Training Events...

March 15-16 - Nestooaak Workshop; Calgary, AB - Ray, Elaine, Terry, Tim, Viv

March 18-20 - Meeting with Providence University/Seminary re: establishing an undergrad program with NAIITS Terry, Wendy Peterson

March 21 - 23 Panuluanan Tribal school launch and gathering, Paquibato district, Philippines. iEmergence Philippines and Ata elders partnership. Matt LeBlanc, Tiara Bacon and iE staff

March 22 - Residential Schools Panel; Edmonton - Terry

March TBD - Trauma Course; Manitoba - Rick and Linda

April 1, 2 - Training for Yellowhead School Division Teachers – Terry

April 8 - 12 - Desert gathering, bringing together indigenous believers from around the world to the Middle East to share and dialogue together - Matt LeBlanc

April 15-19 - Trauma in Crisis workshop, United Church of Canada; Beausejour, MB - Rick and Linda

April 18-20 - Fund for Theological Education Consult – Terry

April 21 - Providence University & Seminary - Terry Receiving Award

May 3-5- Suicide Prevention/Intervention/Aftercare Conference; Sioux Lookout, ON - Rick and Linda

May 4 & 5 Summer Day Clubs Team training Event; Toronto -Tom and Karen

May 6-10 - Teaching Asset-based Development at Yonge Street Mission; Toronto - Terry

May 13-17 - U of Saskatchewan - Teaching DMin course for ministers - Terry

May 14-21 O2 Osmosis Internship and partnership exploration between U of Philippines, Ateneo College and iEmergence partner communities. Tiara Bacon, Matt LeBlanc and iE staff

May 20-24 - Teaching at Ambrose University College/Seminary - Terry

May 29,30 - CHEC conference on Native Education - NAIITS faculty

May TBA – Envision Girls’ Retreat; Browning, MT - Summer

June 6-8 - NAIITS Symposium; Tyndale University, Toronto - MPI Staff & NAIITS members

June 10 -13 - Teaching for NAIITS graduate program - Terry

June 20-24 - Training Conference; Northern Cheyenne Reservation – Terry

July 7-27 - Camping program; Mishkeegogamang First Nation, ON - iEmergence partnering with Speroway

Every Tuesday night: Sacred Way Discipleship Training; Browning, MT - Wes & Summer

Spring 2013 ~ Volume VII Issue 1 ~ Page 3

Shaping Faith: How Language Informs the Journey

10th Annual Symposium on Indigenous Theology

June 6 - 8, 2013

Tyndale University College and Seminary

Toronto, ON, Canada

The purpose of the symposium is to facilitate open dialogue

about various aspects of Contextualization in Native North

American history and experience.

Scope of Topics:

Examining the implications of verb-based over against

noun-based languages on the perceptions of the relation-

ship of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Unpacking the gendered language of faith. How does a

gendered language describe the nature of the Creator, of

faith and of faith's journey differently, if at all, from lan-

guages which are non-

gendered?

Contrasting Native

North American Evangeli-

calism and expressions of

faith as framed by major-

ity language usage where

Indigenous language usage

predominates.

Exploration of Indigenous understandings of the teachings embedded in the

First and Second Testaments of the Scriptures as experienced through the

listening ear of the mother-tongue speaker.

Identification of potential implications from encouraging Indigenous language

use through and within missional ecclesiology. How would this/does this

impact understanding the nature of the biblically framed Great Commission?

Papers should strive to demonstrate how traditional understandings within Indige-

nous contexts and cultural perspectives might be strengthened, or how new ideas

and practices of contextualization might be implemented to further the goals of

Native ministry and the advance of Native people in life, service, and the spiritual

journey with Jesus. Come and engage in the discussion!

Concerts Friday and Saturday nights with guests; Steve

Bell, Micheal Jacobs, Cheryl Bear and Broken

Walls! There will also special honoring time for

Richard Twiss during the symposium.

Expecting a good

turn out so register early!

www.naiits.com

“Person-Centered Ministry — The Message of Je sus in Context !” Spring 2013 Volume VI I I s sue 1

Donations

P.O. Box 295

Evansburg, AB T0E 0T0

Canada

Business Offices

P.O. Box 870

Evansburg, AB T0E 0T0

P.O. Box 130061

St. Paul, MN 55113-0001

USA

My People International

Ph 780-727-4522

Fax 866.624.4868

office@mypeopleinternational.com

www.mypeopleinternational.com

www.iemergence.org

www.naiits.com

Phone, Fax, email and website

Kids Culture Camp ~ Sundre, Alberta

August 11-16, 2013

Refer a Camper! Volunteer!

Give to subsidize the cost of $200.00 for a child!

Come to the last day celebration! Pray!

For more info: tim@mypeopleinternational.com

It’s an honor to be part of iEmergence youth initiative in North America. We just finished the second of three Osmosis

events, which have created space for Indigenous & non-Indigenous youth to be part of innovative discussions through the apprecia-

tive inquiry process. This process stresses appreciating the positive capabilities within a community in order to build upon what the

community is already doing well. At this past event February 22-23, young people were given an opportunity to dream and share

ideas of a stronger future. It was a refreshing & inspiring to gather young people of different backgrounds & different experiences to

dream of the possibilities. Youth from the Hobbema School of Rock performed on Friday night capturing the voice, the talent & crea-

tive expression in the young Indigenous people from Samson First Nations. The Samson group is pictured above with Matt LeBlanc

(left) and Michelle Nieviadomy (right) of iEmergence. Next Osmosis event will take place in Saskatoon, the weekend of March 22 and

23. (iEmergence, My People International, and NAIITS are sister organizations working together to empower and build First Nations

leaders following Christ. For more information visit www.iemergence.org or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iEmergence.)