Report from Rev. Gregory Douglass, pastor at Native American United Methodist Church and Chairperson, Cal-Pac Committee on Native American Ministries

It was a heartwarming trip to Sherman Indian High School, Riverside, CA, where we got to meet the new principal, new dorm coordinator, several students who helped unload vehicles, staff, and our treasured contact at Sherman, Lorene Sisquoc. Reminder: Sherman Indian High School is one of only four Boarding Schools that remain under the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education. 

So far, Cal-Pac Churches, United Women in Faith groups, individuals, and networks of other organizations have helped us provide over 100 comforters, 150 beach towels, 150 reusable water bottles, countless art supplies, personal items like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and a host of snacks. On our first trip, we loaded up two SUVs to capacity, plus a full-sized pickup. This also gave us an opportunity to see if there was anything else that might be helpful. While we were there, we learned of a request for socks from a new dorm coordinator, so we recently purchased $500+ in socks for women and men in a variety of sizes. 

We also learned that the school’s art teachers recently resigned, so the many art supplies provided will enable the staff to offer after-school & extracurricular activities for the students. Another trip will be needed to deliver additional resources that staff felt would help their new way of offering to students, which will include beach towels and additional art supplies, mainly clay. 

Many Thanks! Wados! don’t seem enough for the generosity that so many provided to help these students, who come from all over, feel welcomed and cared about. Those we had the opportunity to meet, especially the new principal, were overjoyed and nearly to tears for all this means to the students, especially that it came from caring members of the Church.

Thanks to the generosity of so many, we still have some funds on hand. We are in conversation with Lorene Sisquoc on additional needs, or to possibly do something additional for those students who are not able to go home for Winter Break.

Contributing Partners (so far): California Heights UMC, Long Beach; Cornerstone UMC, Placentia; Harmony UMC Ministry, Toluca Lake & Hollywood UMC; Holman UMC, Los Angeles; Laguna Country UMC, Laguna Woods; Los Altos UMC, Long Beach; Malibu UMC; Native American UMC, Anaheim; North Hollywood UMC; Ontario First UMC; Redondo Beach First UMC; Ridgecrest UMC & united Women in Faith, Ridgecrest; San Dimas UMC; Santa Monica UMC & United Women in Faith, Santa Monica; Trinity UMC, Lakewood; Anaheim Moose Lodge 1853 & joined by UC Irvine; Veros Credit Community Committee; Gisele Fonatine, Inglewood; Lisa Kadawaki, Camarillo; Deborah Keefe, Long Beach; & Sharom Palmer Mountford; Canoga Park.