Healing, Reconciliation, and Decolonization

Then-Executive Presbyter, Rev. Curt Karns, delivers the Presbytery’s and the PC(USA)’s official apology to the 50th meeting of the Alaska Federation of Natives in Fairbanks, October 22,2016.

In 2017, following the approval of an action at the 222nd General Assembly of the PC(USA) in 2016 directing the church and its members to apologize for the historical mistreatment of and violence against Native peoples, the Presbytery of Yukon hosted a Healing Event in Utqiaġvik culminating with official apologies on the first day of Kivgiq, February 9, 2017. The apology was acknowledged by the Mayor of the North Slope Borough - the largest majority-Alaska Native borough in the state - the next day (see image at left).

Even before this, the Presbytery worked and continues to work to make this apology felt through intergenerational healing, reconciliation, and decolonization. Some of these ministries spun off into an independent non-profit, Intergenerational Arctic Ministries, which is still supported financially by the Presbytery.

In 2024, the Presbytery won a grant to support our reconciliation work and the Executive Board voted to designate its portion of special offerings as additional support. Though small, we are leveraging these and other gifts to, among other things, ensure participation of Native youth in the national Youth Triennium, provide access to culturally relevant training and support for CLP’s from our Rural congregations, and build relationships within the Presbytery to allow for mutual support and listening among others.

Much remains to be done. A century of toxic practices and dynamics cannot be undone quickly or painlessly, but atonement and forgiveness are holy work that we must do and do well. 

Above: Mayoral Proclamation (Feb. 10, 2017) accepting the PC(USA)’s apology.
Below: Videos of Rev. Gradye Parson’s (left) and Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II’s (right) comments and deliverance of the denomination’s formal apology.