Pittsburgh Scared Geometry  – The Confluence of the Three Rivers

The area of Pittsburgh, particularly the confluence of the three rivers – the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio – holds significant historical and spiritual importance for the Native American tribes that once inhabited the region. This place, where the three rivers meet, was more than just a geographical landmark; it was viewed as a sacred ground, rich in cultural and spiritual significance.

For many Native American tribes, water is considered sacred, often associated with life, healing, and purification. The convergence of three rivers in Pittsburgh would have been seen as a powerful symbol of unity and strength, where the waters from different origins merge into a single, flowing body. This site would likely have been a place for gatherings, ceremonies, and rituals, as a natural point of convergence for the rivers and the people.

The confluence of rivers in many indigenous cultures can also represent the coming together of different spiritual energies. Such sites are often considered places of balance and harmony, where one can connect more deeply with the spiritual world and the forces of nature. The rivers’ meeting point could have been viewed as a place where different spiritual paths intersect, creating a space conducive to prayer, meditation, and contemplation.

Honoring Our Indigenous Forebearers

Before the arrival of European settlers in 1492, the area now known as Pittsburgh and its surrounding regions was inhabited by various Native American tribes, each with their own rich set of beliefs and cultural practices. The tribes in this area, primarily the Osage, Seneca, Lenape, and Shawnee nations, held a deep spiritual connection with the land, viewing it as a sacred, living entity that provided sustenance, shelter, and spiritual nourishment.

Their belief systems were deeply entwined with the natural world, and saw themselves as an integral part of a larger ecosystem. This worldview fostered a profound respect for the environment, with practices and rituals designed to maintain harmony and balance. The spiritual beliefs of these tribes were often animistic, meaning they attributed spiritual essence to animals, plants, and other elements of nature. They believed that spirits resided in all things and that these spirits could influence human life and the natural world.

The tribes also had a rich oral tradition, passing down stories, legends, and myths that explained natural phenomena and taught moral lessons. These stories often featured animals and natural elements as characters, reflecting their deep reverence for nature.

Ceremonies and rituals were essential to their spiritual life, often coinciding with seasonal changes, harvests, and other significant events. These ceremonies were opportunities to give thanks, seek spiritual guidance, and ensure their communities’ continued balance and well-being.

Our Commitment to Indigenous Peoples

We are committed to acknowledging our responsibility at Perry Highway and in the ELCA. This Sunday, we will be acknowledging our commitments in this area:

Living, Working, and Worshiping:

Perry Highway Lutheran Church acknowledges we live, work, and worship on land taken from Indigenous peoples in the United States.

Called to Restore Relationships:

Our mission to restore creation includes restoring the right relationships with each other. We honor our call to love our neighbors, including Indigenous siblings who have long stewarded Turtle Island.

Honoring Indigenous Companions:

Since ancient times, we have honored Indigenous peoples as the original companions of these lands, waters, and beings.

Learning and Acknowledging:

We urge our community to learn about the land’s original caretakers – the Osage, Seneca, Lenape, and Shawnee peoples.

Lamenting and Committing:

We lament the violence, cultural genocide, and displacement Indigenous communities faced. We commit to acknowledging and speaking this painful truth and its ongoing impact.

Faithful Gathering for Healing:

Let’s gather in mind, body, and spirit to mend what is broken and live Christ’s gospel of abundant life.

Declaration of the ELCA

In 2016, the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), its highest legislative body, adopted the “Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery.” The Doctrine of Discovery originated with a papal bull in the 15th century and codified both colonialism and religious intolerance into international law.

We understand that no document, no matter how carefully crafted, will accomplish the actions of truth and the work of justice as it relates to our American Indian and Alaska Native siblings. We also understand that addressing what has developed over hundreds of years will take enduring commitment. We are becoming increasingly aware of the ongoing evils of the Doctrine of Discovery, and by the actions we commit ourselves to herein, we now declare our allegiance to the work of undoing those evils, building right relationships with Native nations and Native peoples, and remaining faithful to our shared journeys toward truth and healing.

We invite you to download a complete copy of the Declaration of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America To American Indian And Alaska Native People.  And please be sure to join us this Sunday as we affirm our commitment to acknowledging our debt to the Osage, Seneca, Lenape, and Shawnee peoples.