Mending the Broken Land

After five centuries of oppressions committed in the name of Jesus, many hearts have hardened toward the name of Christ on the part of many of those native or original to the lands we now call America and Canada. The imposition of residential schools, removal policies, and forced adoptions left many angry about white man's religion, confused about a savior who would promote such violent ripping apart of families, deceitful taking away of lands, and forced assimilation away from natural heritages. Acknowledgment has been made and apologies given. In Canada large amounts of compensation are being paid out to survivors and their communities. But what does Scripture say about culture and what can original treaties teach us about healing from our shared history? In an era when America and Canada are being called to return to God, Mending the Broken Land provides a meeting ground in an ecotone of cultures as diverse as nature's meadows. Drawing on the example of the governance of a first people of the northeast, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, it witnesses a new generation in a process of healing aligning with the teachings of Christ. ""In her masterful and God-inspired book, Chris Graef has made the case for Native-contextualized Christianity. Chris brings the reader to the conclusion that nominal Christianity is not true Christianity, that not all who came in the name of Jesus were the true messengers of Jesus. She has been respectful of traditional wisdom and teaching without suggesting syncretism. Chris demonstrates that the teaching of Jesus can be understood with traditional understanding. Her thesis is supported by Scripture."" --Thom McDonald, President, Great Peace Native Fellowship of Canada and USA ""The epic story of the formation of the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy/Haudenosaunee is a story that has to be told to the advantage of all. I endorse Chris Graef's book that is the result of her in-depth research, lengthy study, and her interpretive views of this Native Confederation. The principles upon which the Confederacy is based is something that could be applied with benefit to today's society. It's a story that is deeply rooted in North America, and is one that should be known by all of its inhabitants, as well as those beyond these shores."" --John Fadden, owner, Six Nations Indian Museum, Onchiota, NY ""God is taking us to justice. The Doctrine of Discovery is the basis of all Indian law and it began as a religious edict that gave foreign churches authority over other peoples of the world. There's a movement now among First Nations to get this into the light. We need to understand what this has caused in the past centuries and the millions of lives lost because of it. We need to remove it at the root. We all need to read this book because we are in a time that Jesus is calling us to understand each of our places in His body."" --Willie Jock, Bear Clan Mohawk, Akwesasne, Canada and USA Christine Graef is a former newspaper and magazine writer. She lives at the edge of the woods by the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York.