We Are Still Here
NOVEMBER 27, 2024
An Interview with Dr. David Bearshield, Native American Ambassador Cheyenne-Arapaho-Kiowa
As Native American Heritage Month concludes, I reflected on its significance and reached out to my good friend, Dr. David Bearshield, the Cheyenne Ambassador. In our conversation, he offered profound insights about history, culture, and faith, challenging us to move beyond surface-level recognition toward genuine inclusion and partnership.
Dr. Bearshield began by recounting a moment from March 18, 1975, when Rev. Billy Graham spoke in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Graham declared, “The Native American has been a sleeping giant. He is awakening. The original Americans could become the evangelists who will help win America for Christ! Remember these forgotten people!” Nearly half a century later, Bearshield sees this awakening happening. “We are witnessing a true, non-colonized revival among our tribes,” he explained. “For too long, we were taught religion and bound by legalism brought by missionaries, but never taught us our freedom and sonship in Christ.”
His refrain, “We are still here,” captures the enduring resilience of Native Americans, despite centuries of systemic erasure. “Many assume we’ve disappeared, but we haven’t gone anywhere,” Bearshield said. “Even now, efforts to include us often fall short—we’re still excluded from decision-making tables in both the White House and the church house.”
Though Native Americans make up 2.9% of the U.S. population, their voices remain underrepresented. Bearshield emphasized that inclusion must go beyond token gestures. “Representation alone isn’t enough. Inclusion must be intentional and authentic,” he said. His role as ambassador is to amplify these unseen voices, calling for true partnerships with Native communities.
When asked about healing and restoration, Bearshield stressed that “acknowledgments of land” are merely a starting point. “Acknowledgment without action is hollow,” he said. True reconciliation requires the church to address its historical role in marginalizing Native people and to actively engage in restorative practices. “We need more than recognition; we need real partnership,” he added.
For Bearshield, culture is inseparable from identity, and at its heart lies the power of language. “Our language is powerful,” he said with passion. During wars, Native languages, such as Navajo, were used as unbreakable codes. “But our language is more than a tool; it’s how we pray, how we connect with God, and how we preserve our heritage.” Yet, many Native languages are endangered, making preservation efforts crucial for cultural and spiritual survival. "Our language carries the heartbeat of our people—it is a testament to our survival, a vessel of our stories, and a source of profound pride, embodying the strength and wisdom of generations."
As our conversation concluded, Bearshield left me with a challenge: “Do not forget us. Do not overlook us. We are still here.” His words echo a call to action. Moving forward means creating spaces where Native voices are not only heard but valued. It means moving beyond tokenism and toward authentic collaboration.
Rev. Billy Graham’s vision of Native Americans leading spiritual renewal is more relevant than ever. For this revival to fully unfold, we must embrace Native communities as vital contributors to our shared future in faith and society. Let us rise to this challenge, ensuring that their voices shape the story we write together.
Author:
Bishop. John-Michael Villarreal
Ministry of Arts in Ministry,
McCormick Theological Seminary