Report from Executive Council by Terry Starr

This was the final meeting of this triennium, my first triennium on Executive Council. I came into this experience not knowing what to expect, but have been very honored to give my relatives a voice in the governance of our beloved church. I chaired the Standing Commission on Local Mission and Ministry (LMM) which received reports from Executive Council's Committee on Indigenous Ministry (ECCIM). These reports, along with reports from other committees and DFMS Staff helped frame the discussions and resolutions LMM brought forward to Executive Council. At this most recent meeting, LMM brought forward two resolutions to Executive Council. The first resolution is an "A Resolution" that will be brought to General Convention requesting the mandate and membership of the Anti-Racism Committee to be amended. The new mandate will give strength to the committee and the scope of their work. The second resolution expanded the scope of the work of ECCIM. The new mandate is asking ECCIM to begin finding ways to include the "Indigenous Peoples wherever The Episcopal Church is present." The membership of the committee will attempt to be more inclusive of a variety of Indigenous Peoples from the United States as well as from other parts of the church. The language in this resolution sparked debate about how the Indigenous Peoples wish to be identified, while being respectful and inclusive of immigrants from around the world. Are we Indians, Native Americans, First Nations... this is a discussion I hope that Executive Council and General Convention will allow ECCIM to have and offer suggestion.