Walking In A Good Way

Decolonize and Indigenize Your Future

WHO: This is a community for leaders who want to 

• Decenter whiteness and learn to include everyone at the table

• Learn perspectives that draw from ancient wisdom

• Grow in understanding an Indigenous worldview and deconstruct their Western worldview. 

• Learn a theology of place on the land 

• Want the opportunity to be mentored by Indigenous leaders, activists, scholars, distinguished speakers, wisdom keepers, theologians, and farmers. 

WHY: We need leaders that are not recreating old systems, but learning decolonized and Indigenized ways of leading. Historically, Christians and other Americans have been formed in white supremacy and settler colonialism - we need a new DNA introduced into these systems to move forward in a sustainable and just way. Decolonizing and Indigenizing is the way forward.

Jim, Lenore, Edith and Randy

MEET YOUR TEACHERS AND FACILITATORS

Teacher: Dr. Randy Woodley

Dr. Randy Woodley is widely recognized as a public theologian, author, farmer, activist, speaker/storyteller, and wisdom keeper. He is a leading voice in the movement for earth justice who writes and speaks on American culture, faith, justice, race, our relationship with the earth, and Indigenous realities. Randy has published over a dozen books along with numerous chapters and articles. Dr. Woodley’s expertise has been sought in venues such as The New York Times, Politifact, Time Magazine, Christianity Today, and The Huffington Post. 

Randy is a legal descendant of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma and is Distinguished Professor of Faith and Culture, Emeritus and the former Intercultural and Indigenous Studies Director at George Fox University/Portland Seminary.

Teacher: Edith Woodley

Edith Woodley was raised on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming and is a graduate of Bacone Indian College, Muskogee, Oklahoma. As a student, Edith was elected Miss Bacone Indian College, Indian Princess, representing the institution for one year. A member of the Eastern Band of Shoshone Indians and Shoshone, Choctaw, Paiute, Crow, Piegan (Blackfoot: Piikáni), Mohawk, Umatilla, and Flathead descent, she complements Randy's creativity with her artistic talents. As an accomplished traditional bead worker, seed-keeper (elohehseeds.com), and storyteller, Edith's work captures the beauty and resilience of Indigenous cultures, highlighting the vibrant stories and traditions that often go unnoticed. Her authenticity, keen eye for detail, and ability to evoke emotions through her art and story make her a powerful advocate for Indigenous rights and cultural preservation. Edith is co-founder and co-facilitator of a mentoring cohort 2-3 times a year called, “Decolonizing with Badass Indigenous Grandmas.” 

Together, the Woodley’s recently published the book, Journey to Eloheh: How Indigenous Values Lead Us to Harmony and Well-Being. They received the Ecumenist of the Year Award for 2021 by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, (an inter-faith agency), the first time given to a couple. The Woodleys also served on the Greater Portland Oregon Native American Climate Advisory Board together. In January 1999 they co-founded their non-profit, Eloheh/Eagle’s Wings, to develop culturally appropriate service among America’s Indigenous peoples. With over three decades of personal experience serving their own Indigenous people, Randy and Edith have been addressing long-neglected needs for Indigenous empowerment. They have built bridges of hope where hope has been abandoned. Together they have touched many lives, having resisted racist communities and employers, built schools, created jobs, and found many ways to serve America's Indigenous people along with their non-Native neighbors.

Teacher: Lenore Three Stars

As a Lakota woman, Lenore writes and speaks from a Native perspective on decolonizing and indigenizing.  After decades of Western religious formation, it was inevitable that she would yearn to relate to Creator and the world around her through a more balanced Indigenous worldview.  Her people are Oglala Lakota on her father’s side and Minnecoujou Lakota on her mother’s side. Their ancestral lands include He Sapa, the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Lenore retired from the U.S. Department of Education after a 30-year career of investigating civil rights complaints in educational institutions. She moved closer to her takojas (grandchildren) and loves being an active unci (grandmother) in their lives. Lenore was appointed to the Washington State Human Rights Commission by Jay Inslee, Governor (2014 –2018). Lenore’s B.A. is from Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado, and her M.A. from George Fox University/ North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies, in Intercultural Studies. She speaks extensively and is an award-winning writer. Lenore co-leads a cohort for women of color called “Decolonizing with Badass Indigenous Grandmas.”

Teacher: Jim Sequiera

Jim is Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) raised in the Pacific Northwest. His dad is from Lahaina, Maui and his mom is from Hilo, Hawaii. They moved to the Northwest to attend college and made Salem, Oregon their home. Jim’s parents made it a priority to raise he and his siblings knowing their stories and traditions and being proud of their Hawaiian heritage and culture. Jim has always been deeply involved with the Hawaiian community locally and returning to the Islands in the summers to spend it with ‘ohana, kupuna (elders), “talking story” and learning more about Hawaiian culture and history.

Jim is a Kahu (spiritual leader) serving a local church and the Hawaiian community. As a Hawaiian spiritualist, he presides at various ceremonies and blessings and as an advisor. Jim has taught on the history of Native Hawaiians in the Pacific Northwest.  Being Indigenous, Jim has been invited to sit and learn among other Indigenous Peoples, specifically Native Americans which has broadened his understanding of what it means to be Indigenous. There is a deep historical connection between Native Hawaiians and Native American tribes in the Northwest in which Jim has been invited to share. Jim has a Master of Art in Intercultural Studies from the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies taught by Indigenous professors.

A kupuna once shared knowing the Hawaiian language, protocols, and stories are all important, but ultimately what it all comes down to is the ability to think in Hawaiian. Jim thinks in Hawaiian. While new discoveries in Hawaiian culture is ongoing Jim does not consider himself an expert but looks to his ‘ohana and kupuna who serve as a rich wealth of resources to guide and inform him.