Focus

NAIITS focuses on the mentoring and training of Aboriginal leaders to carry the Good News first to our own people, then to our neighbours and ultimately to all nations.

We Focus on

• Developing mentored theological and biblical research, writing and study programs which address missional, theological and biblical issues from the perspective of Indigenous Christians.

• Working cooperatively with Indigenous and non-
Indigenous partners including colleges, universities, seminaries, mission societies, Native ministries and others committed to realizing the leadership potential of Indigenous people in Canada and the United States.

North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies

NAIITS is a Non-sectarian Christian organization dedicated to:

encouraging the Native North American evangelical community to develop and to articulate Native North American perspectives on Christian theology and mission practice

encouraging the development and implementation of Native North American learning styles and world views through encouraging the development of a body of written work that addresses scriptural, theological, ethical and missiological issues from Native North American perspectives in concert with those of other ethnicities who would speak into this context

seeking to facilitate the creation of a written theological foundation for a) the visioning of new mission paradigms to reach Native North Americans and other Indigenous peoples with the Gospel; and, b) the contextualization of the Gospel in Native communities

seeking to develop theological partnerships with other cultural communities of Christian faith which will ensure the voice of Christ is heard in all ways and will ensure biblical orthodoxy in all things

genuine dialogue with the historical traditions of Christianity and values the written and living resources encompassed in these traditions

Goals

We are dedicated to the development of
increased theological and mission capacity
in the Aboriginal community

Our goal is to develop and instruct from a body of theology and biblical teaching-that resonates with the culture and traditions of Native North Americans. For generations, Native North Americans have believed Christian faith required them to become like Euro North Americans. Many still do! They lived the false dichotomy of belief that a fulfilled relationship with God required rejection of their own culture and the adoption of another. In best case scenarios Native North Americans struggle to embrace God in the Christianity of a secularized western culture. In the worst case, they have rejected God in Christ because of western Christianity’s perceived cultural requirements.

NAIITS believes God has called us to operate beyond these historic boundaries, committing to a partnership of visionary, like-minded organizations to achieve its education and mission goals. Partnerships with theological institutions throughout Canada and the United States provide a solid foundation for impacting Indigenous peoples.

Also critical to laying new tracks and building new bridges for mission are renewed relationships with denominational leaders. NAIITS works in partnership with denominational leadership in the task of preparing their leaders for the many expressions of the future Native church.

Positive working relationships among emerging Native North American theologians are also critical to developing a body of material from which to address issues of concern in this new era of expanded mission. NAIITS facilitates crirical opportunities for this to occur.

Many Native North Americans are members of churches that neither understand Indigenous history and culture nor celebrate the traditions important to most Native North Americans. So, the challenges to renewed mission begin with refocused biblical theology expressed specifically with this in mind.

Through our symposiums, training programs, journal and partnerships, NAIITS facilitates and encourages the unique theological perspectives of Native North Americans, furthering the development of a growing set of diverse materials on:

• Christian theology
• Ministry and mission
• Evangelism
• Discipleship


History

NAIITS was born in response to the inability of the Christian evangelical church to include Native North Americans in a manner that affirmed who their Creator has shaped them to be. NAIITS personnel believe Native Christians have something to contribute to the Christian community as a whole in terms of mission and theology, but particularly to the Native Christian community. More info

Vision

Our desire is to see men and women journey down the road of a living heart relationship with Jesus Christ in a transformative way – one which does not require the rejection of their God-given social and cultural identity. More info

NAIITS Board
The board of NAIITS is intentionally international as the name suggests. Meet the Board