Sins of history | The Journal Gazette

“The weekend’s highlight was the presentation of a document from a group of Fort Wayne pastors, including Sheets, acknowledging past sins and unjust acts against the Miami Indians, the region’s original settlers.

The document also committed the signatories to treating Miami descendents with respect as “a spiritual people” and as “the original gatekeepers and caretakers of this land.”

Sheets said the pastors, meeting under the auspices of Fort Wayne Renewal Ministries for several years, have been praying for a way to restore a true Christian spirit to relations between themselves and native peoples.”

“Pastors giving their assent were Sheets; John Backes, Bethel Assembly of God in Huntington; Ben Bouwers, International House of Prayer in Fort Wayne; and Ron Allen and John Youse of Heartland.

The apology was presented to Brian Buchanan, chief of the current Miami tribe in Indiana, who attended with several council members.” Read the entire article here.