April 28, 2020
We are excited to announce that we will be hosting an online Gathering on Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery this Sunday, May 3rd from 1:00-3:30pm PST.
We are honored and excited that Steven Newcomb, the author of Pagans in the Promised Land is planning to join our discussion following the screening! This book is the basis for the film we will be screening, The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code.
Don't miss out! You will need to register to receive a link for this online Gathering. Click here to register for this event.
Why NOW? We will look at why the work of Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery is essential in this moment. As we collectively face multiple crises, we know that the Doctrine of Discovery, which theologically supported theft of land and genocide of Indigenous Peoples, is as alive as ever. We see this in the threat to Mashpee Wampanoag sovereignty and the ongoing struggle of Water and Land Protectors, including the Wet'suwet'en People and Unist'ot'en, as oil workers on pipelines are declared "essential workers". The crisis of pandemic is being used to cover the egregious perpetuation of the Doctrine of Discovery.
As people of conscience, we will not let this slip by unnoticed! We know that now as much as ever, the work of Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery is crucial and are actively seeking to engage a broad audience in this conversation. Join us on May 3rd for a screening of the movie The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code based on the book Pagans in the Promised Land. This important film is not available except through private screenings, and considered a landmark documentary, based on thirty years of research.
Screening will be followed by discussion with Steven Newcomb, Shawnee, Lenape scholar and co-founder and co-director of the Indigenous Law Institute; Deb Cruz, F/AIN (First/American Indian Nations) Issue Lead with JUUstice Washington; and Jonathan Neufeld from Seattle Mennonites. Deb and Jonathan are both working on efforts deeply related to the work of Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery regionally and nationally.
This screening and discussion are really just an introduction, and we do hope that everyone watching will be activated and inspired to get involved! Our Gathering will end with action steps and ways you can get engaged.
Click here to register for this event. You will be sent an email before our Gathering with instructions on how to join via Zoom.
Please continue reading for related news:
CALL TO ACTION: Contact your senator in support of Mashpee Wampanoag
There are two bills that have been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that are waiting to be taken up by the U.S. Senate that could dramatically help the Mashpee Wampanoag, one by securing their federal status and the other by making it possible for their land to be held in trust even though they were not federally recognized when the Indian Reorganization Act was passed in 1934.
Click here to view details of H.R.312 - Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act
Click here to view details of H.R.375 - To amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian Tribes
Click here to read article by Brian Lightfoot Brown on Indianz.com about H.R. 375: Carcieri 'fix' still in limbo more than a decade later
ACTION STEPS:
1. Click here to sign the MoveOn.org petition in support of H.R.312: Land is Sacred: Stand With the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
2. Call or send a message to your U.S. Senator.
Sample message, fee free to make it personal to you: "As a resident of _____ state for _____ years/months, I strongly support the sovereignty of the Mashpee Wampanoag people and the bipartisan bills H.R.312 and H.R.375. It is outrageous and inexcusable that in the midst of a pandemic crisis, the very tribe who welcomed the Pilgrims is being striped of their federal status and land. Now is the time to act to protect the future and sustainability of their tribal nation. Please be a voice for the Mashpee Wampanoag people, and act immediately to correct this injustice."
Click here to look up your Senator and their contact info. In the top left corner of screen, click on drop down menu "Find Your Senators" and select your state.
3. Forward this email to your friends, family and broader networks with a note about why this issue is important to you.