Siggenauk Interfaith Spiritual Center (1989-2004) Records

Correspondence, proceedings, and financial records of a collaborative spiritual and social justice ministry based in the urban Native American community of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

.65 cubic foot. Gift of Congregation of the Great Spirit, 2013. Processed by Mark G. Thiel, 2018.

 

History

Milwaukee Native Americans founded the Siggenauk Interfaith Spiritual Center (1989-2004) as a collaborative ministry to address common spiritual, social justice, and welfare concerns. They were members of the Ho Chunk, Menominee, Ojibwa, Oneida, Stockbridge Munsee (Mohican), and other Nations as well as members of the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran, and United Methodist faith communities who received support from their faith communities as well as community organizations such as the Indian Community School, Milwaukee Indian Health Center, Potawatomi Bingo, Indian Council of the Elderly, Indian Summer Festivals, and United Indians of Milwaukee.

The Siggenauk Interfaith Spiritual Center was preceded by the Siggenauk Center (1980-1989), a ministry of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, and succeeded by the Siggenauk Center (2004-), an outreach ministry of Congregation of the Great Spirit.

See also -- Congregation of the Great Spirit, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Marquette's Guide to Catholic Records about Native Americans in the United States.

 

Scope and Content

The records describe the dissolution of the Siggenauk Center (1989) and the subsequent development of the Siggenauk Interfaith Center with support from several religious and community organizations. Its notable events included ongoing food pantry, clothing bank, prison ministry, crises intervention, and language and culture programs; annual Native American Spiritual Days, Christmas and Easter holiday food baskets, and Sunday morning prayer services at Indian Summer Festival; and participation in the 1992 international Peace and Dignity Journey.

Series 1. Correspondence.

Series 2. Proceedings and Activities.

Series 3. Financial Records.