Members of The Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference of The United Methodist will gather at the Thlopthlocco United Methodist Church, Thursday, September 30, 2021 to join others across the country for a day of remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools. This day of remembrance aligns with the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation that is honored in Canada for residential school survivors.

Bishop Jimmy Nunn of the Oklahoma area and Rev. David Wilson, Asst. to the Bishop will lead the service. Tribal music will be provided by the Cherokee Adult Choir from D.D. Etchieson UMC at Tahlequah and Muscogee singers from area churches.

“It is important for us to gather in prayer as we remember the impact that Indian boarding schools had upon tribal peoples across the conference,” said Rev. Wilson. 

Oklahoma has more than 83 former and current boarding school sites, more than any in the nation, according to the National Boarding School Coalition.

The service will begin at 10 a.m. in the open tabernacle located at the church. The Thlopthlocco Church is located at 377187 E 1170 Rd, seven miles south of Okemah.