NAIITS encourages the development and implementation of Indigenous learning styles and world views through encouraging the development of a body of written work that addresses biblical, theological, and ethical issues from within Native North American and other Indigenous perspectives. We do so in concert with those of other ethnicities who would speak into this context. NAIITS currently has five degree program partnerships offering MA and Ph.D programs.
We seek to facilitate the creation of foundations for:
a. The visioning of new paradigms to reach Native North Americans and other Indigenous peoples with the Good News of Jesus; and,
b. The contextualization of the Good News in Indigenous communities
We seek to develop theological partnerships with other cultural communities of faith which will ensure the voice of Jesus is heard in all ways and will ensure biblical orthodoxy in all things. NAIITS is dedicated to genuine dialogue with the historical traditions of Christianity and values the written and living resources encompassed in these traditions
Please use this link to access the NAIITS Online-Learning Site.
Academic Handbook for 2024-25
For Scholarship Applicants, please fill out the Scholarship Application Form and submit it
The NAIITS MA(Th)-INCD provides a rigorous theological studies program that will equip students for meaningful engagement within their own communities, in other local cultural contexts, as well as globally. The MA(Th)-INCD has been designed and tailored for Indigenous people, and those serving in Indigenous communities. The MA(Th)-INCD takes a multi-disciplinary approach to the development of each learner's heart and mind through the disciplines of anthropology, sociology, asset-based philosophy, community development methods, as well as theology, ethics, and spiritual formation.
The Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies program engages a mutual learning exchange between cultures within and beyond North America. The program is multidisciplinary and strives to develop each co-learner’s heart and mind through the disciplines of anthropology, missiology, theology, Bible, church history, ethics and spiritual formation. The program is holistic in scope, seeking to create opportunities for co-learners to gain both knowledge and experience appropriate for the 21st century.
The MTS graduate theological degree is designed to introduce the learner to a multidisciplinary understanding of Indigenous theology, history, and praxis. The goal is to encourage individuals and their communities of faith to fully embrace being Indigenous followers of Jesus Christ. In so doing, the program aims to prepare students to assist their community in following God’s call. Throughout the program, students will learn how to fully engage their ministries within their Indigenous contexts.
The Master of Divinity degree program encourages students to develop Indigenous and contextual approaches to biblical studies, theology and ministry practice in an integrated, community based program. The program is intended to equip Indigenous students that are serving or plan to serve as pastors, chaplains, youth ministers, or leaders in bi-vocational ministry that require specific ministerial focused skills. To this end, the new field experience practicum in a contextual church plant and/or historic contextual congregation, will provide a solid, mentored base for consolidating course-based learning.
The Ph.D., or Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies, involves extensive individual research and writing as well as the presentation of original theological material, at advanced levels, to other scholars both within and outside of the community of learning. The purpose of the degree is to qualify individuals who have curated and applied a substantial body of existing knowledge to their research, while investigating and developing new knowledge in one or more areas of investigation, scholarship, or professional practice. In so doing, individuals contribute to the health and growth of the learning community as well as more broadly to Indigenous and ecclesial communities globally.
Excellence in these fields leads the way in the development of more effective Indigenous Christian ministry and praxis. NAIITS’ vision, “to see men and women journey down the road of a living heart relationship with Jesus in a transformative way which does not require the rejection of their Creator-given social and cultural identity," is uniquely achieved through the NAIITS PhD program.
For more information about the NAIITS PhD, please contact Damian Costello, Director of Post-graduate Studies at dcostello@naiits.com
Explore theology, history and the practice of ministry from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and world Indigenous perspectives.
Traditionally, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities did not compartmentalise their spirituality, or faith. Communities developed their own theologies but these were not necessarily the same as western ideas of theology. Indigenous life is experiential and therefore theology was practice!
In the 21st century, much has changed. We still focus our energies on helping people walk out life in a good way. Now it is a path centered in the person, work, life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus that is also rooted in Indigenous cultures and histories. Whether in the development of new theologies or in our forums for dialogue and teaching, it is this understanding that we speak of as our path toward wholeness.