Truth-Telling as Sacred Work

Submitted on: 
Monday, October 27, 2025 - 9:27am
Man with black ponytail and gray blazer stands behind a podium, microphone in one hand and finger raised in another, as though inviting the audience to be patient with a point he's building up to.

by Elder Suzanne P. Kelly, CEO, Minnesota Council of Churches 

On Tuesday evening, Metro State University hosted a powerful gathering organized by the Minnesota Council of Churches, featuring Dr. Anton Treuer, a renowned author, educator, and advocate for Indigenous language and cultural preservation. His words were both sobering and hopeful, calling us to remember that we cannot dismiss or erase the egregious history of oppression and violence inflicted upon Indigenous and Black peoples in this country. 

Dr. Treuer challenged white Americans—and especially white Christians—to undertake the difficult, uncomfortable work of truth-telling and reconciliation. Healing, he reminded us, begins with truth, not comfort. Yet he also extended a powerful challenge to those who have suffered under racism and injustice: not to let pain and bitterness harden our hearts against the possibility of repair. Reconciliation, he insisted, requires courage from all of us. 

I was particularly moved by his commitment to preserving the Ojibwe language and his warning against modern efforts to erase the stories, languages, and contributions of Black and Indigenous communities. His message aligns with MCC’s moral and spiritual calling: to be truth tellers in a time of deep division, and to stand firm in the belief that truth leads to freedom, repair, and restoration. 

As I welcomed attendees, I named our gathering a moment of sacred purpose and prophetic responsibility. Dr. Treuer’s words reaffirmed that conviction: our work in truth-telling and reparations is not simply a program—it is a sacred journey toward justice and healing. 

Taking Action: Building on Dr. Treuer’s Message 

For those inspired to continue this work, here are some ways to act with courage and intention: 

  • Host conversation circles. Organize an MCC Respectful Conversation on race and justice to create space for honest, grace-filled dialogue. 

  • Protect truth in education. Oppose efforts in your community to censor books or erase curricula that highlight BIPOC voices, confront white supremacy culture, or promote belonging for all. 

  • Support Indigenous language and culture. Participate in or contribute to initiatives that preserve Ojibwe and Dakota languages—living expressions of resilience and identity. 

  • Engage your faith community. Encourage theological reflection on racial injustice and explore how the church can embody repair and reconciliation today. 

  • Show up and listen. Attend events and truth-telling gatherings led by Black and Indigenous leaders. Presence is a form of solidarity. 

Together, we honor Dr. Treuer’s reminder that truth-telling is sacred work—and that only through courage, humility, and persistence can we move toward true liberation and shared humanity.