The Talking Circle

Dr. Terry LeBlanc has been active in full-time vocational ministry with the Native North American community since 1978. He was CEO and Director of Indigenous Pathways overseeing iEmergence and NAIITS, which is formerly known as the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies. To learn more about NAIITS go to naiits.com

Terry has recently stepped down as CEO and director of NAIITS to spend more time with his wife Bev whom he has been married for over 50 years. Terry has been the recipient of three fellowships and the Student of Highest Distinction award. He completed his Ph.D. at Asbury Theological Seminary and was awarded the DD honoris causa by Acadia University in 2015 and by Knox College in 2019.

*Potential Explicit Content—the word a** is used a few times in the podcast.

Indigenous grandmas not only carry around a bag full of bingo daubers, candy, and Kleenex, but they also carry wisdom, stories, and jokes. Lenore Three Stars is part of the cohort of Indigenous Grandmas, also known as Badass Grandmas, under the auspices of Liberated Together. They offer a course entitled Decolonize with Badass Indigenous Grandmas.

From LiberatedTogether.com: "Our Badass Grandmas share their stories, journey of decolonizing their faith, relationship with the land, as well as Native American history and some of their own art and research. This cohort is for non-binary folks of color impacted by patriarchy and women of color. "

Today, Lenore shares with us her faith story and journey of decolonizing and deconstructing her faith. My favorite quote from Lenore for this episode is: “It is hard to shake that influence that what you have from your culture is not good enough for Christianity.”

Lenore’s personal website: https://www.lenorethreestars.com

Mark Charles is a speaker, writer, and consultant. The son of an American woman (of Dutch heritage) and a Navajo man, Mark teaches the complexities of American history regarding race, culture, and Christendom in order to help forge a path of healing and conciliation for the nation.

Mark has co-authored a book along with his friend, Soong-Chan Rah, entitled Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery.

Mark's website is wirelesshogan.com and he is present on various social media platforms. And, don't forget to follow him on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wirelesshogan

For this episode, we sit down with Rashawn Ramone and listen to his story of growing up on the Navajo Reservation. Rashawn is also on staff with Inervasity and talks about how he got involved with this campus ministry, why he joined staff with IV, and the work he is doing currently.

Rashawn's Intervarsity profile: https://intervarsity.org/about-author/rashawn-ramone-0

This introduction podcast introduces the host of the Talking Circle.

Donnie Begay (Navajo) grew up on the Navajo Reservation and is married to co-host Renee. They currently reside in Albuquerque, NM along with their three daughters.

Renee Begay (Zuni) is transitioning from her work with Cru to iEmeregence. Renee loves to ride her bike, cook amazing meals for her family, and working with students.

Bobby GreyEagle (Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Oyate; Lake Traverse Reservation) is married to Tanya and they have two children. Bobby and his wife live in Bismark, ND.

The Talking Circle is a metaphorical virtual kitchen table. A space for Indigenous people to sit down and talk. To discuss, converse, and argue about topics and do so in a respectful and where humor is always welcomed. All people, from all walks of life, are welcome to join in on the dialogue. Since we are all merely pitiful human beings trying to figure out the red road, white road, straight and narrow path, and seeking the road back to balance and harmony. These roads usually all help us become good human beings and not-so-horrible relatives.

To Give:

Renee Begay - https://iemergence.com/us/donate then select iEmergence New Mexico.

Bobby GreyEagle - https://give.cru.org/0782131

Donnie Begay - https://give.cru.org/0416956