Congregation of the Great Spirit (1989-) Records
Records of a Milwaukee-based Catholic Native American parish and its autonomous spiritual and social welfare outreach.
.2 cubic foot + .03 GB. Gift of Congregation of the Great Spirit, 2013-. Processed by Mark G. Thiel, 2018-.
Historical Note
Congregation of the Great Spirit (1989-) is a predominantly Native American Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. It succeeded the Siggenauk Center (1980-1989), which was a Catholic and social justice outreach ministry of the Archdiocese for Native American in Milwaukee. Its parishioners are Native people of many tribal backgrounds (e.g. Ho Chunk, Lakota, Menominee, Ojibwa, Ottawa, Stockbridge) plus non-Native people who are attracted to Indigenous heritage. They worship through inculturated liturgies that include music, prayer, and ritual from their tribal heritage.
In collaboration with other Milwaukee-based Native American churches with support from Native businesses and civic organizations (e.g. Potawatomi Casino, Indian Summer Festivals), the parish developed the Siggenauk Interfaith Spiritual Center (1989-2004), which maintained the social justice ministry of the former Siggenauk Center. In 2004, the parish overtook the sole administration of the ministry, which again, was named the Siggenauk Center.
For a chronology, see the guide entry for Congregation of the Great Spirit, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Marquette's Guide to Catholic Records about Native Americans in the United States.
Scope and Content
Series 1 Congregation of the Great Spirit Website: Captured by Archive-It twice a year.
Series 2 Congregation of the Great Spirit Photography: Digital print and electronic images from parish special events.
Series 3 Congregation of the Great Spirit Video Recordings. Selected VHS and wav recordings of Sunday Mass and special events.
Series 4 Congregation of the Great Spirit Miscellany: Architectural drawings, budgets and printed materials, e.g. bulletins, clippings, handouts, worship aids.
