Indigenous Scholars – Imagining Christianity Without Dominance

Amy N. Allan is a feminist Hebrew Bible scholar of Choctaw, Cherokee, Tuscarora, and German descent currently residing in the greater Chicago area. Her current research at NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community focuses on the depictions of the Divine in the storytelling of Genesis and its implications for Itilaui Kanomi (Relational Harmony). Amy is also an interfaith chaplain at Northwestern Medicine and in the ordination process with the United Church of Christ.

In conversation, Amy will explore how mutual illumination between Native American spirituality and Christian traditions may deepen understanding and strengthen bonds of kinship across our communities. Historically, however, this conversation has been hampered by hierarchy, dominance, violence, and assimilation, with heavy burdens placed on Indigenous peoples, and enduring regimes of silence. Together, we will explore positive steps on the good path of survival, resistance, respect, and harmony for all siblings.

Naomi Wolfe is a trawlwoolway Aboriginal woman with Jewish German and Irish heritage. She is a theologian and historian based in Melbourne, committed to collaborative,  community-grounded scholarship that centres Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives to reshape theological and educational practice. She works as a historian at Australian Catholic University and is a University Scholar at the University of Divinity, adjunct at St Mark’s National Theological College, and a member of NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community. Her work is at the intersection of decolonising theology, Indigenous studies, and historical inquiry. 

Naomi will invite us to consider Country as a living, sacred reality, and that identity is formed through relationships with Ancestors, community, and the more-than-human world. Theology grounded in Country, kinship, and the Law precedes the Church. If the Church can learn to belong within Country: through humility, accountability, and right relationship, what might emerge? Might a theological vision shaped by kinship, deep time, and reciprocity, enable Aboriginal Christian identity to speak with integrity and sovereignty to all our relations?

There will be musical items led by the St James' Singers, from St James' King Street.

All are warmly welcome to attend. Tickets are still available for online attendance ($10), or at the door for $25 (card or cash). All proceeds will be donated to promote Indigenous theology.

This event is a collaboration between Pitt Street Uniting, Eremos Institute, Wellspring Community, the St James’ Institute, and Uniting Theological College. Members will separately be sent a discount code.