Opinion
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- Written by: Sherry Treppa
It not only threatens the wellbeing of Native children and their families, but also tribal sovereignty. Further, the ruling could undo many of the collaborative relationships our tribes have forged with local governments and states that already acknowledge the benefits of preserving Native families.
Part of this country’s tragic past was forced assimilation that prevailed until the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Sadly, the federal government had a stated goal to destroy the culture, languages, and traditions of American Indians through official programs where Indian children were forcibly removed from their families and sent to the now infamous government-run boarding schools or outright adopted to non-native families. These policies wreaked havoc on the emotional well-being of generations of Indian children, contributing to high levels of suicide and substance abuse.
This practice of our country’s past is not unlike the more current narrative around the inhumane separation of immigrant children from their parents at the U.S. border. The social outcry that has ensued from these recent border events leaves me, as a parent and Tribal leader, crying for those poor parents and sickened that the First Nations of this country are given less consideration. Where is the outpouring for our Native babies?
Congress passed the ICWA in 1978 in an attempt to reverse the ravages that forced separation of Native children from their families wrought on Indian people. In Native cultures, families are the center of our communities, and children are sacred gifts from the Creator. Judge O’Connor’s ruling not only threatens our future – it outright discounts generations of historical anguish.
The ruling also ignores the rights of tribes as sovereign governments. The ICWA only applies to children from federally recognized tribes, and tribes – as sovereign governments – are the only legal authority to determine the membership of a tribe. Destroying a tribe’s ability to speak out for its future – our children – undermines the modern efforts of tribal government to overcome hundreds of years oppression because of the U.S. government’s aggressive control over every aspect of tribal citizens’ lives, including our relationships with our own children.
Several years ago, my tribe – the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake – as well as five other tribes in Lake County, worked with County Department of Social Services to form an ICWA Working Group. Together, we have recognized that the ICWA not only helps ensure a child stays within an Indian community, it also helps facilitate a team approach to improving outcomes for Native children and the agencies and tribes working with high-risk Indian families. Using ICWA as a basis for collaboration provides a child access to tribal resources, helping to improve emotional wellbeing, avoid generational post-traumatic stress disorder, and expand otherwise limited foster care placement prospects.
My tribe also helped found the California Tribal Families Coalition, or CTFC, with the explicit mission to protect the health, safety and welfare of tribal children and families, which are at the core of our sovereignty and governance.
CTFC Executive Director Delia Sharpe told me, “As we prepare for the next phase of this case, CTFC stands with tribes in defense of ICWA, as an essential protection to keep Indian children connected to their families, cultures and communities.”
This ruling goes well beyond the implications for Native families. It furthers a dangerous and very real, anti-Indian narrative and undermines the legal framework protecting Native American self-determination. This ruling is a slippery slope which could result in the further erosion of federal, state, and local policies meant to protect tribes.
As tribal leaders, we are confident in the constitutionality of the ICWA. The Habematolel Pomo Tribe of Upper Lake joins other tribal leaders in condemning Judge O'Connor's decision. Further erosion to the Indian Child Welfare Act is an affront to our culture, our families and our self-determination.
Sherry Treppa is chair of the Habematolel Pomo tribe of Upper Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Pastor Chris DelCol
Two weeks on one passage (Mark 10:17-31) … tell me it is not so! This is an important passage for teaching in today’s society so let’s look at it more closely.
The statement above comes from a slightly breathless man who obviously has it all together. He is young and wealthy, so the text tells us.
The fact that he's concerned about his salvation tells us he's wise. The fact that he's come running to Jesus to ask the question tells us that this is a zealous man who wants to follow the Lord.
To the disciples and others gathered around, this is an excellent prospect for a follower. He's the kind of guy who would volunteer to serve on committees and get a lot of work done. He's the kind of guy who would be an asset for whatever sort of plan or strategy needs to be launched by Jesus.
But the conversation doesn't go the way it's supposed to. At least, it doesn't go the way the disciples think it's supposed to … who would ever imagine that this slam-dunk disciple would walk away sorrowful a few minutes later? What happened?
Let's examine the exchange: "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" The problem has already begun, because the question he asks is flawed.
Listen again: "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" The question tells us that man assumes that he can work his way into heaven by the things he does.
What he is asking Jesus is this: "How much more of God's Law do I have to keep in order to earn my way into eternal life? What do I have to do?"
Although the man is sincere, he is far from faith. He doesn't want Jesus to save him from sin, but to approve of who he is and the good that he has done.
"Teacher, all these things (the commandments) I have kept from my youth!" Then, Jesus, who loves this man, preaches one more bit of Law: "One thing you lack," says the Lord. "Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
This time, the man sees how the Law accuses him, and it crushes him. Jesus has just pointed out to him his sin. But what sin is that, exactly?
The sin our Lord condemns here is not wealth; Jesus is not preaching a sermon against being rich. We must make this clear so that we can understand the true sin and the marvelous Gospel of this text.
Bible stories like this one have been used to declare that wealth is innately sinful; that is not true. In Luther's time it was considered a great work to sell all and make a vow of poverty, for poverty was considered to be more pleasing to God.
But this is not what the Lord is saying. So, is the sin greed? There is greed here, yes, but the greed is not the big problem here: There is a far more dangerous sin at work.
The greater sin is this: The man thinks that he can save himself by how well he works at keeping God's commands. He believes that he can work his way into heaven by being good enough.
For greed alone, the man can be forgiven as he trusts in Jesus, the Savior. But as long as the man believes that he can save himself, he does not trust in Jesus to save him; thus, there is no forgiveness.
In other words, Jesus says to the man: "You can't save yourself. But I can save you. I will save you by going to the cross and dying for your sin. Do not trust in your own efforts, but in mine.”
Here at First Lutheran Church, we are trying our best to prayerfully respond to putting it all in Jesus’ hands as this passage commands us.
If you need help to recover from the fires of this summer, we do have some financial and food supply assistance available.
Please join us Sunday, Oct. 21, and approach one of the leaders for a form to fill out.
Worship is at 11 a.m., lunch following the service, and then our monthly food cupboard for those in need of food and personal hygiene products.
All are welcome so please come as you are!
Chris DelCol is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lucerne, Calif. The church is located at 3863 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-5572. Email Pastor Chris at
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- Written by: Carol Huchingson
On each occasion, I have been heartened by the resilience and ingenuity of Lake County’s people, and moved by the depth of our shared commitment to facing the deep-seated issues that hamper our distinct communities, and building a brighter future.
There is no doubting that Lake County has known hardship: nine disasters in a three-year span; cycles of poverty that are deep and systemic; outcomes in public health and education that have consistently placed us toward the bottom of state rankings.
However, in my more than two decades as a Lake County resident and leader in our county government, I have repeatedly seen individuals, families and organizations rise above the floodwaters of the challenges that come, break through the shackles of low expectations and achieve incredible things, for the betterment of us all.
I have seen wildfire and displacement bring generosity and a nurturing spirit to entire neighborhoods. I have seen financial hardship bring creativity, seen leaders stand up, and inspire those around them to unceasingly search for pathways to success, to recognize those resources that we have in abundance.
Vision 2028, passed by the Board of Supervisors in April, was an invitation to look beyond the immediate difficulties we face, and ask a basic question: What kind of community do we want to become?
Do we want to continue to struggle to do more with less, or do we want to expand ourselves and our opportunities? Enhancing public safety, fully recovering from disaster, improving our infrastructure, making Internet access for all a reality, caring for Clear Lake – these things require a stronger, more vibrant economy.
Next week, in Kelseyville and Nice, renowned North Bay Economist and Sonoma State Professor Robert Eyler will share a plan developed through June’s economic development forums. This truly exciting plan identifies specific opportunities for growth in our communities.
Realizing the plan will require that we all do our part, that we all shed some old views and collectively reimagine our economic future. Please join county and community leaders, Dr. Eyler, and the Lake County Economic Development Corp., and support our taking critical steps to move Lake County forward.
The forums will take place as follows:
– Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m., Kelseyville High School Student Center, 5480 Main St.;
– Thursday, Oct. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m., Robinson Rancheria Ballroom, 1545 State Highway 20, Nice.
For more information, call the County Administrative Office at 707-263-2580 or the Lake County Economic Development Corp. at 707-279-1540, Extension 101.
Carol Huchingson is the county administrative officer for the county of Lake.
- Details
- Written by: Pastor Chris DelCol
The reasoning behind that is not to overwhelm them with law, but instead to make them aware of what God’s law means for society today.
There are three ways Martin Luther wanted us to understand the use of the law.
First, how it convicts us (pedagogical use), second, how it guides us (normative use), and third, how it keeps our society safe (civil use). The Ten Commandments are not something that is foreign to our hearts, minds, and souls … the Ten Commandments are how our brains should “Naturally” respond to the challenges of life. That is how creation works!
And so, when I teach the Ten Commandments, I break it down to simple math which is where I get the equation 1 + 1 = 10. And if you look at how the commandments are bundled or tiered, there are basically two sections.
When Moses was given the Commandments by God on Mt. Sinai, they were pretty specific, and it was the rule of the law that if the people broke it, they were to offer sacrifices for atonement for breaking the law.
They couldn’t keep the law, only one person in history ever was able to do so, and so Jewish folks celebrated on days like the Day of Atonement and daily sacrifices were offered as a way for them to be forgiven for breaking the law.
Then came Jesus … and he turned the whole idea of the law upside down. No longer were there 10 commandments, there were two. Love God, love your neighbor. That was it!
What we do not realize is Jesus changed nothing about the Ten Commandments and that is where the math works. 1 + 1 = 10. Love God plus love neighbor = Ten Commandments. Two tiers, 10 commands.
Which brings us smack dab into the middle of the Gospel of Mark 10:17-22 stating, “17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said to him … 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" 20 And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth." 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Did you ever notice when reading this passage what Jesus is asking this man? He is asking him about one of the two tiers of the Ten Commandments and that is, “Do you love your neighbor?” And the man responds, “I have kept this law all of my life.”
So, for the most part this man has kept one tier of the law by doing things for his neighbor. And now Jesus drops the bomb on him. When Jesus says to this man, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
The question He is asking this man is simply this, “Do you love God, do you love what I came here to do for your salvation … is that worth more than your money And the answer … no … money was more important.
And that takes us 2,000 years into the future and nothing has changed. Every time we put anything ahead of God we are violating the love that Jesus asked us to have for both Him and for our neighbor. And society today tells us that we are #1 and we deserve whatever we can get.
The top priority to many is the almighty dollar, not Almighty God. What a shame that is.
Please join us for worship this Sunday, Oct. 14, at 11 a.m. as we discuss this in more detail. This is a special service in that we will be baptizing several people so please join us for this time of worship.
If you have not already been baptized and you want to join us in this sacrament, please call the church at 707-274-5572 and I’ll provide the details.
All are welcome so please, come as you are, grab your family and friends, and join us for a time of worship, fellowship and food!
Chris DelCol is pastor of First Lutheran Church in Lucerne, Calif. The church is located at 3863 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-5572. Email Pastor Chris at
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