The Indigenous Learning Experience (ILE) will take place at the Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice which focuses on developing, implementing, and teaching sustainable and regenerative earth practices. Eloheh (pronounced Ay-luh-hay) is a Cherokee Indian word meaning harmony, wholeness, abundance, and peace. The mission of this ILE is to deepen our understanding of the purposeful narrative of our Indigenous siblings and the biblical call to pursue—as well as function as ambassadors of—reconciliation. During this ILE we will consider what it means to pursue reconciliation with creation and how we can begin to live in harmony with the land through everyday spiritual practices and intentionality.
This ILE will introduce you to the lived experience and historic wisdom of our Indigenous siblings who have an impeccable record of living with the land as co-sustainers of what our Creator entrusted us with (Genesis 1 and 2). You will also learn about the worldview that undergirds our Indigenous family’s unique ability to live in fellowship with all created beings, understand and utilize the natural healing properties of creation, and engage in restorative practices that produce healing for the land and our relationships.
During this ILE you will learn Indigenous ways of communing with the earth that are holistic and integrative. You will begin to see that we are in a reciprocal relationship with the plants, animals, and the land. At Eloheh, this understanding is called the whole “community of creation.” This ILE will illustrate how our service to the whole community can be integrative with how we approach life—all things that come from God through the earth, when kept in harmony, can heal us and foster shalom.