…When the wind of the Spirit blows, Warrior, come on and ride the wind…”
Robert Soto, Lipan-Apache, protocols the Mayor of Altensteig
The words sung by Broken Walls and accompanied by a powerful drumbeat are thundering from the massive speakers in the horse arena serving as concert venue. Colorful Traditional, Fancy, and Feather dancer’s busts into the arena, as hundreds of German’s give rousing applause. This scene was repeated at several other major venues, often with hundreds of visitors each, coming from near and far to see the “Indianer” from North America. The team performed at churches in Herborn and Altensteig, at City Halls, at a well-known area restaurant, at a “House of Blues,” music pub, a water castle, and various other locations.
Visitors anticipated seeing Native people in their colorful regalia, hearing music that included pow-wow style drumming and the
A very interested crowd in Haiterbach
more contemporary sounds and music of “Broken Walls.” They were not disappointed. It was evident again that there is great interest in Native people from North America in Germany and all over Europe. But cultural exchange was not the only purpose of the team’s trip to Germany. They also came to share parts of their history, including the often horrendous results of abuse, mistreatment by the majority culture, neglect, alcoholism and drug abuse and the healing that they experienced by coming to know Jesus their Creator in a personal way, helping them overcome devastation and hardships.
Klaus-Peter with Broken Walls
Dancing for Creator from YWAM Native Ministries on Vimeo. A native person having experienced so many hardships but having found freedom in Christ is a powerful and believable witness to European people while sharing their beautiful and varied cultures. Is this possibly part of their destiny in the Lord? We believe that the words first spoken by the Prophet Isaiah to Israel also apply to Native people: “…their descendants shall be known among the nations.” Isaiah 61:9 Jonathan Maracle, widely traveled leader of Broken Walls stated that the country that printed the first Bible is especially on his heart. He said:
“We came here to remind Germans of the message of God’s love they helped bring to us in the first place
Interview by German ERF TV
and have largely forgotten themselves.”
“In the past, First Nations people were either completely assimilated into European culture, or they reacted against it and it’s religion,” said Maracle. “But God didn’t make a mistake when he created our native cultures. Jesus came to conquer sin, not culture. We were made ashamed of our culture.
But now, as native people we reach out for restoration, to all European peoples with the message of Jesus.”
“We love the responses we previously enjoyed in Europe and the enthusiastic reception the music of our native culture has received and we look forward to make new friends.”
Here are a few reactions the team received.
A young lady was moved by the music and dance of the team. Members of the German organizing team are working with her, introducing her to life in fellowship with Jesus and other Followers of Christ.
Native team members keep receiving encouraging news via email and facebook about how their lives were changed by the words they shared and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
A young couple has begun their journey to know and grow closer to Jesus
Several other concert participants are taking part in the basic discipleship courses of the church
One mother wrote that her son listens to the CD’s the teams brought,…”he listens to the songs up and down…and dances to the music, making the whole house shake.”
The Team
Broken Walls (Jonathan Maracle – Mohawk, Vocals, Guitar, Mohawk Wind flute, Bill Pagaran – Tlingit, Drums, Kris DeLorenzi – Bass, Vocals) For more information about Broken Walls, their music CD’s and DVD and other products hereCreated to Dance (Robert Soto – Lipan Apache, Fancy Dancer, Homer Hinojosa – Lipan Apache/Cherokee/Blackfoot, Fancy Dancer, Trey Adams – Lipan Apache, Southern Traditional Dancer, Orena Monahan – Quechan, Jingle/Fancy Shawl Dancer, Erika Monaham Quechan, Fancy Shawl Dancer, Chelsea Flores – Lipan Apache, Southern Traditional Dancer) More information about Created to Dance, their music CD’s etc. here This tour was made possible by a very dedicated, generous, and hardworking team of organizers in Germany. We are all very thankful for their vision and tireless work to make it possible for the team to share their culture and faith in Jesus.
Jingle, Fancy Shawl, Southern Traditional, Traditional, Feather Dancers (Created to Dance) enter the arena at Altensteig, Germany to Broken Walls singing “Warrior, Ride the Wind.”
Gathered from across Western Canada and Northwestern USA in the foothills of Alberta, 200 YWAMers were welcomed by hereditary Chief Big Swan of the Peigan Tribe of the Blackfoot Nation to his tribal lands. In the opening session of YWAM’s 50th anniversary celebration, Chief Big Swan and his wife, Delores, shared the story of their people, singing, drumming and blowing the shofar as an invitation to the Spirit of God to be with us during our gathering. We came together united under the greatest Chief of all, Jesus.
“Chiefs” Loren & Darlene Cunningham were honored with gifts and welcomed to the Blackfoot Nation. They responded with thanks and appreciation to the First Nations people of this land. Read more…
The doctor entered the room, preparing to give me the exam required by US Immigration authorities. Quickly his questions turned personal. Why was I here, what was my job?
I briefly stated that I was working with a Christian non-profit organization seeking to walk with and work among Native people in the area. His reply dumbfounded me. He said something like this: “I don’t know what Native Americans want, we, (obviously referring to his Caucasian ancestors) won fair and square.” I was taken aback by his rather calloused and simplistic reply. Unfortunately, not being too quick-witted, it was only later that I could think of what I wanted to reply. “Maybe you won—but there was nothing “fair” and “square” about it!
Chief Joseph’s surrender at Bear Paw
On Monday, October 5, 2009, our Nez Perce neighbors commemorated the 132nd anniversary of the Battle at Bear Paw, Montana. Here, their fighting retreat ended with Chief Joseph’s heartrending surrender to Generals Miles and Howard. It marked the culmination of their almost four month long flight, fraught with many “unfair” battles, hardships and losses of warriors, children and elders. It all had started at White Bird Canyon on June 17, 1877, when a hothead civilian volunteer engaged the US Army and the Nez Perce, who had approached under a white flag of truce, in battle, by firing the first shot.
Is it not high time that we shed ignorant and simplistic attitudes about historic events and begin to deal with the reality of what happened, not by re-writing history, or by trying to “explain away” what happened, but by squarely facing the hard and difficult truth, warts and all?
Unfortunately, what has happened cannot be undone; however we can learn from history and commit to not let injustices go on or happen again. We can begin to identify with the loss and pain that our Nez Perce neighbors are reminded of on days like this. We can choose to treat them with the dignity and honor Creator has endowed them with. They are the First Americans and they are the Gate-keepers of this nation.
Chief Joseph (Nez Perce)
From Creators Word to us we know that transforming change begins with the recognition of wrong, and honest repentance, (change of mind and then of action). While it is impossible for me to even imagine the agony and suffering Nez Perce families are reminded of on this day, I want to express my sorrow over the injustice they suffered and identify with the sins of my forefathers. I know, it will not bring their ancestors back, restore the lives and land lost, but I commit myself to walk beside you, to speak up against unrighteousness and injustice and to add my small contribution to a better present and future for you. Most of all, I trust and pray that the Judge of all the earth, will do what is just! (Genesis 18:25)
The Creator created the world – the mountains, trees, rivers, and seas. He created all the creatures on this fair land. The Creator also created man and woman from the land and put them in charge to take care of the Creator’s work.
Man and woman were placed on the path of life. They were given the choice of walking on the Creator’s Path or going another way.
The people did not listen to the voice of their Creator. They chose to go their own way and do what seemed right to them in their own spirits.
This caused the Creator much sadness. He loved His creation dearly and did not want them to go their own way. He decided that there was only one way to save man and woman from destroying themselves and all of His creation. He would send His Son to become like them and live on the land.
Creator sends His Son
The time came when the Creator’s Son came down to the earth and took on the form of a little baby. He came from a woman and grew as a child. Soon He became a man-a young warrior.
But this warrior was different. He did not choose to fight. He came to bring peace and to teach.
Not every one liked what the Creator’s Son was saying. They did not want to accept His message of forgiveness and salvation.
Some of the people who followed Him wanted to make Him their chief. Others wanted to kill Him.
One day, those who wanted to kill the Creator’s Son became more powerful. They were able to turn the hearts of their leaders against the Creator. They got permission to have him put to death.
This Man has done nothing wrong
They hung him on a tree and left him there to die. But the Creator’s Son was not the only one hanging there. They put two thieves on either side of him.
One of the men who was guilty of death hanging next to the Creator’s Son spoke harshly to Him. He said, “If You are the Chosen One of the Creator, save Yourself and us.” But the other man spoke sharp words to the other man. “Are you not afraid of God the Creator? You are also guilty and will be punished. We are suffering and we should, because of the wrong we have done. But this Man has done nothing wrong. He turned to the Creator’s Son and said, “Remember me when You come into Your holy nation.”
The Creator’s Son said to Him, “For sure, I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Those in charge placed guards around to make sure that followers of the Creator did not come to take His Son down from the tree.
Some believed, some didn’t
Many people stood around watching what was happening. The leaders were with them and some of them were making fun of the Creator’s Son. They said, “He saved others, let Him save Himself if He is the Chosen One of the Creator!”
There were women who cried and had sorrow for the Creator’s Son. He spoke to them and said, “Daughters, do not cry for Me. Cry for yourselves and your children. Listen! The days are coming when they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us.’ They will say to the hills, ‘Cover us.’
“If they do these things to a green tree, what will they do when it is dry?”
Then the Creator’s Son said “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
It was dark over all the land from mid-day until the afternoon. The sun did not shine. The ground shook.
Then the Creator’s Son cried with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I give my spirit.” When He said this, He died.
Many realized who He was
When the guards noticed that He was dead, one of them took his spear and pierced His side. Blood came flowing out.
At that moment, many of them realized who He was and why He came. The people standing around began to worship the Creator’s Son. Many thought that was the end of the story. But in many ways, it was only the beginning.
The Creator’s Son’s body was taken down from the tree and buried. But just three days later, the grave was empty. He had come alive again.
He appeared to many of His followers. There was much joy and excitement. Some time later, the Creator’s Son returned to the sky to be with His Father. Before He left the land, He told His followers that there would come a day when He would return and that they all would join Him. This made them all very happy.
The Creator’s Book, the Bible, tells us that He created all things to worship Him-including man and woman. It is His greatest desire that we have a personal relationship with Him. Even though man chose to go his own way and run from the Creator, the Creator desires that man walk with Him on the Path of Truth.
Through all time, people have tried to reach the Creator through other spirits, vision quests, living a moral life, religion, and through creation itself. The Creator’s book gives us His plan for how to get on the Creator’s Path to abundant living. Would you like to find that path?
Broken Walls, formed in 1995 by Jonathan Maracle, base their music on the ancient sounds of the First Nations People of North America. The Father’s Dance, which has been nominated in six categories for the 2008 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, is a call to freedom and a message of restoration for the family. Broken Walls combines the musical sounds of rattles, the powwow drum and Mohawk wind flute with contemporary instruments. The CD opens with “Sing to the Mountains,” which was nominated for single of the year. This fast-paced track describes how creation displays our God. The title track declares freedom for all mankind and restoration of dignity, trust and hope. “Surrendered” is a graceful and peaceful instrumental track highlighting the flute. The chorus on “Everything to Me” is especially beautiful and poignant: “You are the hand extended / The calm at the heart of the storm / The voice that calls in the darkness / I know that I am not alone / I see Your face in the stars / I hear Your voice in the silence / I feel Your breath in the wind / You’re everything to me.” For those who like to experience new genres of music, The Father’s Dance is the perfect introduction into Native music. But all listeners can enjoy the spirit in which Broken Walls sings and worships the Lord. —LEIGH DEVORE, Charisma Magazine
Check out Jonathan’s live performance of this song:
The following are recollections, excerpts of letters and conversations with Newton Bohanan, Nez Perce, 32. Thank you, Newt for allowing us to tell your story. May it encourage many! Since his dramatic life and death experience Newton has already been a huge blessing to many by his enthusiasm and love for God. Volkhard Graf
I had heard some stories about him, but never met him in person. The descriptions I’d heard seemed to fit the stereotypical picture of a Native American male. He was known as a person who you’d have to be lucky to meet in a sober condition. [Read more…] about Stories of two Native American Men
Location: Hannover, Germany, EXPO 2000, World Fair
As the sound of the drum and rhythmic singing filled the air, the teepee towering over 100 feet high and most likely the biggest ever built quickly filled to capacity with an anticipative crowd. As the First Nations Cultural Ministry Team under leadership of Wiconi International President Richard Twiss began to share their culture, history, dances, and their faith in Jesus Christ, they had the attention of the crowd. By God’s provision, much prayer, and the organizational skills of Pastor George Andoh of Triumphant Christian Mission, Hannover the team was invited to perform twice inside the big teepee, an exhibit on the World’s Fair grounds. Here and everywhere the team performed their colorful dances they shared their faith in Jesus Christ unashamedly. They emphasized that their performances where done in worship to their creator and redeemer Jesus Christ.
My wife and I were privileged to help organize the German part of a First Nations Cultural Ministry Team outreach. When we met up with the team they had already spent 9 busy days in Switzerland and France.
The team also performed at the opening of “Jam-City” a Youth Event, organized by the German Lutheran Church, which coincides with the EXPO 2000 and at the International Children’s Theater in Hannover. The performance at the Children’s Theater was a special blessing, where children from more than 10 different countries were able to watch the team.
“This is our appointed time as First Nations believers to boldly step out in faith and possess the promises of God for us regarding His purposes for the nations. Please continue in prayer for covenant partnerships to be developed between Native and non-Native believers in fulfilling this amazing opportunity to world mission,” Richard Twiss
Gerald & Antje Fink who arranged our housing during our stay in Hannover, Germany made these observations about the team.
“Robert’s hoop dance at the opening ceremony at Jam-City, with Dan starting the “wrong” song, “Jesus heal this land,” was strongly supported that evening. The hoop dance was a beautiful symbol for eternal life. A victory in the unseen world was won that evening and fortresses were torn down, especially through Richard’s short gospel message at the end of the performance: “Jesus is the only one who can heal this land, the only one who can save.”
”Native people, in the eyes of many in Germany, are thought to live spiritually in a paradise situation. You left the natural religion of your people and started to follow the only way for all people, Jesus. This was against all those in Germany who think one should not evangelize people and should leave them with their inherited religion or even seek spiritual resources not with Jesus but in the religions of the world. Natives have a definite ministry here in Europe especially among so-called “name-Christians,” those who seek a false unity among all the world religions. Children at pre-school and kindergarten were blessed when Robert performed there and shared the gospel and what Jesus had done in his life. We have heard that children shared what they had seen and heard with their sometimes not believing parents. Worship in these Christian kindergartens has been enriched by Jonathan’s music, and now they are playing his music CD there since he left.”
At our next stop the team performed at the auditorium of a High School before a largely non-Christian audience. The principal of the school later talked to Jonathan Maracle, a Mohawk from Canada, commenting that she enjoyed the cultural part of their presentation very much, but that she didn’t care for the “Religion”. To her consternation she found that Jonathan agreed with her, sharing that they were not here to promote religion but a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He also shared that at reserves in Canada no solutions for the problems many native people deal with has been found but Jesus Christ. After her talk with Jonathan this non-believing, humanistic teacher had to admit that if this was so, they should not do otherwise but continue to share about Jesus.
Before their departure the team got to perform at Christian Center Herborn; a large Ethiopian and Philippino congregation in Frankfurt and at a retreat Center near Heidelberg, Germany.
We felt that significant things were accomplished during this time in Germany and pray that this was only the trail-blazing trip for First Nations teams, and that many more teams will follow to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to our country, which is largely indifferent to the gospel. Report by Volkhard Graf
The team members from left to right:
Pastor Robert Soto, Lipan Apache, McAllan, Texas
Pastor Dan LaPlante, Lakota from Cheyenne River,Reservation, Eagle Butte, S. D. Jodi Scott, Cherokee, Atlanta, Georgia Ed LaRose, Pomo, Sacramento, California Rachel Scott, Lipan Apache, Mc Allan, Texas, daughter of Robert Soto Jonathan Maracle, Mohawk, Tyendinega Territory, Ontario, Canada Richard Twiss, Lakota, Vancouver, Washington Not pictured are: Leonard “Wyndigo” Simcoe, Ojibway, Victoria, B.C. & Alex Shane, Cyndi LaPlante
Here is an excerpt of the report written by Richard Twiss, President, Wiconi International
Around the world North American Native people are highly esteemed. They are regarded with great respect, dignity, and honor. The songs, dances, and culture of First Nations people enjoy a remarkable global fascination and recognition. Richard Twiss President of Wiconi International and Team Leader said, “We saw in part the fulfillment of what I, and many others, have been saying for the past few years, that, no other people group is so uniquely positioned for world evangelism, as First Nations people are today. After 400 years, we are at last beginning to see the emergence of redeemed cultural expressions from the Native church, to the honor of Jesus Christ.” This was one of the few evangelistic outreaches from the North American Church to Europe where a group of Native people has taken advantage of the remarkable European fascination with Native culture. Various team members were invited who not only have a deep love for Jesus and were spiritually mature, but also were gifted in the areas of traditional Native dance, drumming, and singing, who had beautiful dance regalia.
The team gave 25 ministry presentation in just nineteen days, in 13 cities in three countries. They danced, drummed and shared Christ at the World Expo and the International Children’s Festival in Hannover, Germany; in numerous public grade and high schools; a wide range of churches; a school for physically and mentally challenged children; a large public park on Lake Geneva, in Lausanne, Switzerland; village community centers; and a large Ethiopian/Filipino International Church in Frankfurt, Germany. Both believers and non-believers alike were touched by the presence of the Lord during our ministry times.
Several nationally respected Swiss church leaders witnessed our team in action. Here is what some had to say about the team.
”I think that in our post-modern society our Native friends have a great future in front of them as far as the sharing of the Gospel is concerned. To those who pretend that the rehabilitation of these Indian traditions and cultures have nothing to do with the Christian faith we would like to remind them of the vision of John in the Book of Revelation who saw that in the end of times the nations of the whole world will bring their richness to the Lord of the Universe. So our friends have given us a taste of the coming Kingdom.” Pastor Guy Chautems, former pastor of the Reformed Church at the Cathedral of Lausanne
“My conviction is that God can use the testimony of the Amerindians in Europe (and probably elsewhere) in a very specific way, especially to reach and touch people with New Age and ecologist tendencies. Such people have both admiration and a wrong vision about Indians. They imagine they are in the same philosophy than themselves and they could be very surprised and impressed to see that they can be true Disciples of Christ, fully committed to the Kingdom of God without denying their cultural values. Such a demonstration would be able to lead many people back to the Lord in Europe.” Jean Pierre Besse, Pastor of the Reformed Church, Elder in an evangelical Church, Best-selling Christian writer, President of Cabes International, Agent at the Scripture Union
”We saw our people touched in a way we had not seen for a long time. The interest the people here have for the First Nations opened doors that would have been closed otherwise. Their way of sharing the Good News doesn’t only touch the intellect of the people but their hearts in a very deep way. They showed a friendship reflecting the Kingdom of God on Earth. For those who have doubts about the authenticity of their ministry we would like to say that all they said was glorifying Jesus as the only Way, the only Hope for mankind”. Josquin & Nathania Boschung, Swiss Outreach Organizers
Each team member commented on how honored they were to be used by God in such a spiritually impacting way. Also we were absolutely amazed by the depth of respect and notoriety Native people have throughout Europe. We were like Hollywood celebrities. Here are a few reactions of team members:
“The past sixteen years I have carried a wooden cross and preached Jesus in 36 countries of the world, and as a native man have always well received. However, as I watched our team share the Lord thru our various cultural expressions, I think the people were shocked to see Native people in full regalia, proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and King. He said, ” I think it is a wonderful way for the Gospel to be proclaimed to the nations.” Ed LaRose from the Pomo Nation
On a personal note this was a very special team for me to be to a part of. It was a beautiful picture of brotherly love and respect. The level of humility, willingness to serve with joy when exhausted or uninspired, and spiritual maturity of every member was a reward in and of itself.
Richard Twiss, Lakota, President of Wiconi International, Team Leader
I keep seeing the faces of all the people we touched with the Gospel and with a word of encouragement. I keep thinking of the way the Lord took a simple thing like our Cultural gifts and used them to his honor and glory.
Pastor Robert Soto, Lipan Apache
Rachel Soto, Pastor Robert Soto’s 15-year-old daughter, jingle and fancy shawl dancer, experienced new freedom as a Christian. She said, “I found out it’s okay to show you’re a Christian and an Indian, instead of being Christian at church and church activities and Indian the rest of the time. I was honored to minister dressed in my regalia, and amazed to see how eager people were to hear what we had to say. I was especially blessed to lead those two young girls to Christ, and getting to anoint the teens at the camp in Switzerland with oil and prayer.”
Already plans are being discussed to have another team return to Switzerland, this time for city-wide outreaches in several of the major cities as well as Bible teaching and leadership training for the churches. They have also been asked to pray about a team to Poland for large evangelistic meetings as well as returning to Germany.
