REPORT ON WCGIP 2005, KIRUNA, SWEDEN

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September 9, 2005

"The groanings of creation are the issues of the indigenous peoples," says Terry LeBlanc, a Mi'kmaq Indian from Canada. Terry is one of the vision keepers of WCGIP. He explained that spirituality from the natives perspective "is the interconnectedness between the spiritual and the natural.There are no separation."

It was beautiful to see this oneness in the week-long gathering attended by indigenous peoples (first nations people, aboriginals, etc) from 30 countries of the world. The beating of drums made of animal skins, the heartfelt worship, the dances, the colorful regalla and the togetherness draw a clear picture of the relationship between the physical and the spiritual. All creation worshipping the Creator.

The meeting was held inside a huge "lav vu," several teppees lashed together with ropes, canvas and birch poles pointing to the heavens. It rained most of the week. The tent despite its flimsy looks withstood the elements and kept us warm in this region refuted as one of the coldest in the world.

The Sammi or the Lapplanders hosted the event. Hakan Enokkson (Sweden )and Arild Maso (Norway) took the lead. The delegates were welcomed at a huge Lutheran Church in Kiruna, a city known for having the world's biggest ore mines. About 500 people welcomed the delegates who later marched the streets in their native regallas. People in their cars look suprised seeing the strange looking visitors bearing drums, flags and banners breaking the deafening silence in their land.

Something in the spiritual realm broke that week. Highlighting the event is when leaders of the conference went up a huge mountain to stand witness to the repentance made by Sammi pastors in behalf of their people. Many years ago, Sammi fathers made human sacrifices of their sons in the mountain. " We have become unproductive in many ways because of that sin," confessed Hakan, a pastor and a reindeer herder himself. "We are losing our lands. Our reindeer business has gone bad." The bloodshed seemed to have caused the spiritual gloom in the land. "Depression is very high in the region," a social worker revealed. She said that suicide is rampant in the winter season where people are greatly disturb by the months of darkness.

The conference ignited a light in the Arctic region where "revival from the North" has been prophesied repeatedly. We believe so. The indigenous peoples, like Israel is key to the spiritual awakening of the world. They are a people who does not separate the spiritual from the natural. The church has yet to recognize them as an integral part in the Body.

We are excited for September 11-17, 2006 when we will host the 6th World Christian Gathering on Indigenous People in Davao City, Philippines We are expecting a delegation from at least 60 nations of the globe. Please pray to be there.

PIO G. ARCE
Chairman WCGIP 2006