Evelene "Tweedy" Sombrero Navarrete
• Ordained Deacon
• Conference Speaker
• Head Pastor
When the average person thinks of a deacon or head pastor, the image of a kindly white male generally comes to mind. Although it is true that more women are accepted in ministry today than in the past, a Native American woman in such roles defies the odds, which is exactly what Evelene "Tweedy" Sombrero Navarrete-a full-blooded Dine' (Navajo) woman from Inscription House, Arizona-does.
She describes her ordination experience as "not always easy." Among other discouraging comments, she was told that she had "strikes" against her and that no church would hire her:
"One," Sombrero Navarrete enumerates, "I was Native American. Two, I was a woman. Three, I was divorced and, four, I was a single parent."
She credits six older gentlemen who, in spite of her "strikes" approved and ordained her.
Largely known by her nickname, Tweedy Sombrero Navarrete graduated from Box Elder High School in Brigham City, Utah and moved to Lawrence, Kansas where she earned her associate of arts degree in social work at Haskell Indian Junior College. Then it was on to Ottawa University where she earned her B.A. Degree in social work with a minor in psychology.
When she felt called to work for the church, however, Tweedy moved to Kansas City, Missouri and worked in the International School for Native American Ministries. Afterward she entered a seminary in a Presbyterian church to work for the Disciples of Christ as youth director. Her impressive résumé further includes studying at the venerable Iliff School of Theology. Founded in 1892 and located adjacent to the University of Denver (Colorado), an average of 300–350 students attend there each year. But after graduating from seminary, Tweedy was told there was no church for her.
"I was reappointed back to school.," she states. "But instead, I took a job in Flagstaff, Arizona."
During her second year, she learned that the Desert Southwest Annual Conference met there. While attending the conference she reacquainted herself with a bishop she knew. In 1992 Sombrero Navarrete was ordained an Elder.
Then word spread that the United Methodist Churches were appointing ethnic pastors to "white" churches. When Tweedy herself was appointed to such a congregation, she sensed that it would be a challenge. "I was anxious about my first cross- cultural appointment from the start," she states.
Her uneasiness was not without merit. "My first order of business was 11 funerals in a row. I had a funeral to conduct every week for 11 weeks," she says.
In stressful situations, however, Sombrero Navarrete's sense of humor-among the qualities that endear her to many-provides relief. Doubtless, they were qualities that were instrumental in her appointment as head pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Methodist Church in Phoenix, Arizona. As Tweedy's reputation grew, she was honored to speak at the United Methodist Women's (UMW) Annual Celebration.
In an opinion article for Indian Country Today magazine, the clergywoman, also a social activist, voices her concern that many Navajo people have died of kidney failure and cancer, conditions linked to the Navajo's water that is often contaminated with uranium.
"There are more than 500 (abandoned) uranium mines near and on Navajo Nation lands in Northern Arizona," she states.
Because recent CDC research shows uranium in Navajo babies born now, Tweedy voices her concern: "It can cause health risks for generations to come."
Among the first Native American women to be ordained a head pastor in a mainline denomination church, the Navajo cleric also assists other Native people in healing from generational trauma they may not realize they have. Reverend Tweedy Sombrero Navarrete also hopes her lead pastor platform will help to end many stereotypes about Native Americans.
Sources:
Shepherd of the Valley UMC, Meet our Pastor webpage
Evelene "Tweedy" Sombrero Navarrete, "A sacred duty to protect water and land," Indian Country Today Opinion section, October 26, 2018
Tweedy Sombrero Navarrete, "In Ministry as a Native American," United Methodist Women's Webpage, November 2017 Issue
NPR News public health webpage, "For the Navajo Nation, Uranium Mining's Deadly Legacy Lingers", Weekend Edition, Sunday, April 10, 2016
KB Schaller is author of the International Book Award-winning biographical collection 100+Native American Women Who Changed the World. Other KB Schaller books are available through amazon.com and other booksellers.
Email: soaring-eagles@msn.com
