Christopher
Buck and Bitahnii Wayne Wilson

Christopher Buck (Ph.D., University of Toronto, 1996; J.D., Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2006) is an attorney (Pittsburgh), independent scholar, faculty instructor at the Wilmette Institute (2001–present, Department of Bahá’í History & Texts, distance education), and former professor at Michigan State University (2000–2004, visiting assistant professor), Quincy University (1999–2000, visiting assistant professor), Millikin University (1997–1999, assistant professor) and Carleton University (1994–1996, sessional lecturer). Dr. Buck is the author of several books, including: Bahá’í Faith: The Basics (2021); God & Apple Pie: Religious Myths and Visions of America (2015), with an introduction by J. Gordon Melton (Distinguished Professor of American Religious History, Baylor University); Religious Myths and Visions of America (2009, “an original contribution to American studies,” Journal of American History, June 2011); Alain Locke: Faith and Philosophy (2005), Paradise and Paradigm: Key Symbols in Persian Christianity and the Baha'i Faith (1999), Symbol and Secret: Qur'an Commentary in Baha'u'llah's Kitab-i Iqan (1995/2004), and Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations (co-author, 2011). He has also contributed chapters in such books as: Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran (2021); Winds of Change: The Challenge of Modernity in the Middle East and North Africa (2019, three chapters); The Bahá’í Faith and African American History (2019); ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey West: The Course of Human Solidarity (2013); Observing the Observer: The State of Islamic Studies in American Universities (2012); American Writers: "David Bottoms" (2018), British Writers: Ninian Smart ((2018); and "Edward Granville Browne" (2015), The Islamic World (2008), and The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to the Qur’an (2006/2017). He has published a number of academic journal articles and encyclopedia articles as well. As for popular, online articles, Buck has contributed over 350 articles to BahaiTeachings.org, and has collaborated with Kevin Locke (Tokaheya Inajin in Lakota, translation “First to Rise”), renowned Lakota hoop dancer and flutist, on the ongoing “Indigenous Messengers of God” series (80 articles so far, culminating in three articles on “Indigenous Land and Spiritual Acknowledgments”). In 2021, Buck and Locke teamed up to teach an online course, “The Great Spirit Speaks: Voices of the Wise Ones” (offered three times in 2021, by popular demand).

Bitahnii Wayne Wilson is a Dine'h / Navajo Baha'i from the remote community of Pine Springs on the Navajo Nation in Arizona. Wayne belongs to his mother’s Bitahnii (Folded Arms Clan) and is born of his father’s Toh ahee dliinii (the Two Waters that Flow Together Clan). Wayne also belongs to his maternal grandparents’ Toh di'chiinii (Bitter Water Clan) and his paternal grandparents’ Tsi'najinii (Black Streak Running on the Tree Clan). Wayne began studying the Baha'i Faith in 1991 and continued his studies at Louhellen Baha'i School while pursuing general studies at Central Michigan University and other colleges in the area. Wayne is also a Native pow wow dancer and artist that does Taijiquan, Qi Gong and Kung Fu. He has been initiated in the Yei Bi' Cheii – a nine night ceremony along with the protection and blessingway teachings and ceremony. Wayne also has some knowledge of traditional Navajo herbal medicine. Wayne is also certified in the NADA - National Acupuncture Detoxification Association's five point acupuncture training. He is also a member of two global non-profit men's groups, the Illuman and ManKind Project that help men become accountable for their actions through counseling and support. He has worked with the Navajo Nation Community Development and Oaksprings Chapter of the CLUPC - Community Land Use Planning Committee that does a variety of things to help build and develop communities.