The Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies and the ELCA’s Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations Present the 15th Annual Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium. The theme for this year’s Symposium is: Challenged and Transformed: A Vision for the Church. The Vine Deloria, Jr. Theological Symposium celebrates the life and legacy of LSTC alumni Vine Deloria, Jr., author, historian, and activist for American Indian rights. Join us for this 3-day virtual celebration! 

The theme for this year’s symposium is based on the legacy of Vine Deloria, Jr. Throughout his work in Indian Country and in his writings, especially his book “Custer Died for Your Sins,” Deloria challenged established systems, to include the Church, the U.S. Government, and anthropological science by persistently advocating for the validity of Indigenous ways of being, Indigenous knowledge systems and oral traditions, self-determination, and sovereignty.

Event Program

Monday, November 10, 2025

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

If attending the lecture and panel presentations virtually, please use the following Zoom link: https://lstc-edu.zoom.us/j/85391987186?pwd=Grf3pw7VhX2UlyVTHpOEbV5MiHhDxq.1

Biographies

Robert Two Bulls

Rev. Robert Two Bulls serves as the Missioner for the Department of Indian Work (DIW) and Multicultural Ministries for the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. He acts as a resource and bridge between ECMN and its eleven DIW Faith Communities. Additionally, he serves as a hub for the Multicultural Ministry Network and is an adjunct lecturer at the Vancouver School of Theology Native Ministries Consortium. Robert is also co-founder of First Nations Kitchen, a ministry hosted by All Saints and supported by the wider Minneapolis community and the Episcopal Church in Minnesota.

Wanda Frenchman

Wanda K. Frenchman is an Indigenous leader in the ELCA. She is a member of the Oglala Lakota (South Dakota) and Lenape (Oklahoma) tribes. She serves as the vicar for Native American Urban Ministry in Phoenix, Arizona. The ministry serves all urban Natives in Phoenix, providing a community for believers and traditional culture to come together for spiritual growth.

She is a Mission Developer and a 2021 Fund for Leaders Mission Developer Scholarship winner.

She has a twin sister, Yolanda and her personal passions include playing competitive billiards, yoga, camping, traveling, bible study and attending Native American powwows and ceremonies.

Christian Scharen

A practical theologian, Rev. Christian Scharen  was ordained a pastor in the ELCA in 2001. He holds the Ph.D. in Religion from Emory University and has written or edited more than a dozen books and articles, book chapters, and research reports. His research and writing focuses on theology, worship and the arts, pastoral leadership, social justice, and theological education. His early work on theological ethnography helped spark an international movement bringing together sociology and theology in the study of the church. His most recent book is co-authored with Aana Vigen, Ethnography as Christian Theology and Ethics: A Completely Revised 2nd Edition (T&T Clark). He enjoys cooking, poetry, and music, and is married to Pierrette Comulada, and together they have three adult children.

Rev. Richard A. Magnus (Dick)

Pastor Dick Magnus began his career in Urban Ministry at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Denver, CO. His position was to work with the communities of color and suburban congregations to build understanding and where possible relationships. Later he served in urban campus ministry and through that experience was introduced to the Lutheran Council in the USA which had the National Indian Lutheran Board as part of it’s work. He served on that board from 1979-1981. Through his service as Assistant to the Bishop and Mission Director in the Rocky Mountain Synod, he worked with the Rev. Dr. George Tinker to form the Four Winds Indian Ministry in Denver.

Elizabeth Andres

Elizabeth Andress serves as volunteer lead organizer of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA’s) Truth-Seeking & Truth-Telling Initiative on Indian Boarding Schools in partnership with Vance Blackfox, ELCA Director of Indigenous Ministry and Tribal Relations.  She holds a master’s degree in education and has worked in adult literacy, internships, study abroad, and more.  She has done extensive faith-based community organizing and has participated in a variety of singing groups.  She is a daughter, spouse, grandparent, and great grandparent.

The Rev. Amy Odgren

The Rev. Amy Odgren was elected as the first female bishop of the Northeastern Minnesota Synod in August 2020. Prior to her election, she had served as the synod’s Director for Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop. Amy grew up in Fairfield, IA and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. In 1983, she married Steve, a New Englander, and was transplanted to Massachusetts. For the next 17 years, she worked in the field of supports and services for adults with developmental disabilities. At the urging of her family, she answered God’s persistent call to ordained ministry, graduating from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA 24 years ago. She has served congregations in Holmen and Eau Claire, both in WI. In addition, she served on synod staff in the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin. Bishop Amy has 3 adult married children, 1 grandson and 2 granddaughters whom she looks forward to spending more time with when she retires in July 2026. She shares her home with a large Newfoundland dog and enjoys living on the shores of Leech Lake within the Leech Lake Reservation, a place that has significant family history.

For question related to this event, contact Marvis Hardy, marvis.hardy@lstc.edu. 

The Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium is sponsored by the Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies at LSTC, the ELCA’s Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations and private donors.