POTSDAM — The Rev. Holly Haile Thompson will soon be serving First Presbyterian Church in Potsdam. She begins Nov. 11 as the transitional/supply pastor.

Thompson, a blood member of the Shinnecock Nation of Long Island, graduated in 1985 from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminar.

She was ordained by the Presbytery of Western Colorado in 1986 and became the first Native American woman to become minister of word and sacrament/teaching Elder in the history of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

After teaching Presbyterian Polity at Cook College & Theological School, Tempe, AZ, Thompson served as pastor with the Ute Mountain Presbyterian Church in Towaoc, Colo.

Holly was parish associate with the First Presbyterian Church in Southampton; served as supply pastor for the Old Whalers’ Church in Sag Harbor; Remsenburg Community and the First Presbyterian Church of East Moriches.

She has been a member of many church-wide committees, such as the Women's Concerns Team for the Synod of the Northeast in the 1970s, which led to the present manifestation of the Racial Equity Advocacy Committee of the PCUSA.

Thompson is involved with the United Methodist Church’s NEJCONAM, Native American Ministries, and supports the UMC ongoing Act of Repentance.

She is the daughter of the late elder Elizabeth Chee Chee ThunderBird Haile; her 94-year old father, Elder Dick Haile, continues to live on the Shinnecock Reservation with his grandson Canku and his wife, Kelly.

Holly is married to Harry Thompson of Akwesasne, and together they share 7 children, 16 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.