National Indian Lutheran Board.

The National Indian Lutheran Board (NILB) was founded in 1970 through activities of the Lutheran Church and Indian People (LUCHIP) and the Lutheran Council in the USA (LCUSA). Serving as an advocacy program of the LCUSA participating church bodies (The American Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church in America, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (joined in 1978), and Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (joined in 1982)), NILB responsibilities included testifying on legislation regarding and affecting Native Americans; facilitating opportunities for an awareness of Native American issues on the part of non-Indians; working with ecumenical organizations to reach a wider Christian audience; and administering funds granted for Indian projects and special requests.

Native Americans comprised 75% of the agency's membership. Eugene R. Crawford directed both the NILB and the LCUSA's American Indian Services Desk from 1971 until his death in 1986. In 1987, the LCUSA was terminated with the establishment of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). At this time, LCUSA and NILB responsibilities were assumed by the ELCA.

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