[Dialogue] TODAY'S THE DAY: 5/24/17 Resource Extraction Call: DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY

Wed May 24 07:19:05 PDT 2017

TODAY'S THE DAY: DON'T MISS!!

THIS NEXT VERY IMPORTANT RESOURCE EXTRACTION CALL:
TODAY:  WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2017
2:00PM CENTRAL/3:00PM EST

CALL #: (605) 475-3215, Access Code:  180305#

TOPIC:  THE DOCTRINE OF CHRISTIAN DISCOVERY,
a follow-up from Standing Rock:
the legal and theological premise for 
political oppression and
land, environmental, and resource extraction exploitation
Presentations and discussion.
Take time to view the online films on the 
DOCTRINE OF CHRISTIAN DISCOVERY
(see links below).

Dear Resource Extraction Friends,

May Greetings!

Have you ever heard of the DOCTRINE OF CHRISTIAN DISCOVERY?  This IMPORTANT topic is a follow-up from our November 2016 call on Standing Rock but has implications for peoples nationally and globally, particularly Original Nations, Communities and Peoples, including the communities in Peru, Bolivia, El Salvador, Ecuador, Haiti, Cameroon, The Republic of Congo and places of focus on previous Resource Extraction Calls.

What is it???  The Doctrine of Discovery, initiated by 15h century and after Papal Bulls and Royal Charters from Spain, Portugal, England, France, and The Netherlands, was a commission and permission for explorers to claim and take over lands and to dislocate, relocate, assimilate and annihilate peoples who were not Christian and therefore were not considered to be human, but pagan and infidels.  

Why does it matter??  Today, the Doctrine of Discovery remains the organic law for Indian Federal Law and legal precedent for the taking of lands by force which continues not only in relation to Native American Communities in the United States but through corporations' and government's taking of land and resources, eminent domain, and national and foreign policy. When 534 clergy and religious gathered in Standing Rock in November 2016, they gathered in prayer and they repudiated and ceremonially burned the Doctrine of Discovery.

What has been done?? Many denominations have repudiated The Doctrine of Discovery.  The PC(USA) joined them in 2016 when the 222nd General Assembly also voted to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and apologized for running boarding schools that separated Native American children from their families and tried to "civilize" and "Christianize" them.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA):

The 222nd General Assembly (2016) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), meeting in Portland, Oregon in June, passed two overtures which effect the 95 Native American Presbyterian churches across the country:

-An apology to Native American’s for the church’s involvement and administration of boarding schools during the late 19th and early 20th centuries whose purpose was the “civilization” of Native American children.

 -A repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery: this “doctrine” derives its authority from Pope’s and European royal decrees stating “explorers” may seize lands and convert “non-Christians” in their name and for the good of the Christian Church. It remains the basis, as late as 2005, for Indian Law and Supreme Court decisions against Tribes.

 It has become clear that the PC(USA) is becoming more aware of the struggles that Native American Presbyterians and all Native Americans have faced in the past and are dealing with today. It is my hope that in discussing these issues across the church an impact can be made that not only raises awareness within the church of these issues, but also generates action by Presbyterians.
 “May the warm winds of heaven blow softly upon you
 And the Creator make sunrise in your hearts.”
 (Cherokee Prayer)
 The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II
 Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
 The Rev. Irvin Porter
Associate in the PC(USA) Office of Native American Intercultural Congregational Support

The United Nations and many groups have been working to address current issues related to the Doctrine of Discovery, how it affects our lives today, and implications for the future.

JOIN THIS IMPORTANT CALL TO LEARN MORE.

Special presenters for the call will be:

-Elona Street-Stewart, Member of the Delaware Nanticoke Nation, PC(USA) Ruling Elder and Executive of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies--first Native American PC(USA) synod executive.

-Fr. Daniel LeBlanc, OMI (Oblates of Mary Immaculate), serving in justice ministries in urban Lima and the high jungle for 30 years and now working with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues which has focused on the Doctrine of Discovery.

Below is additional information:

1)  Biographical information on the presenters

2)  Links to two online videos on the DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY:

-"Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery" [43 minutes; grounds it in the resource extractive industries]

-"Exposing the Doctrine of Discovery" [9 minutes; education piece by the Episcopalian Church]

I invite you to watch these videos between now and May 24, and our call will focus on these videos as well the presenters' information about the Doctrine of Discovery and implications for our times.

[Another good resource is the film "The Doctrine of Discovery, Unmasking the Domination Code" based on the book Steven Newcomb's book Pagans in the Promised Land--Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery.]

3) Additional links to resources on the Doctrine of Discovery:  PC(USA)/Ecumenical and United Nations/Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFFI)  

The Doctrine of Discovery is a topic that was addressed at the April 2017 Compassion, Peace, and Justice Training/Ecumenical Advocacy Day /Lobby Event in Washington, D.C. and also will be a focus at July The BIG TENT event in St Louis, and also at the Presbyterians for Earth Care Conference in Portland in September. 

Looking forward to gathering around the Call Table May 24.  Please share this email notice with anyone who might be interested.

Grace and peace~

Ellie 

elliestock at aol.com 

(314) 521-8418

1) PRESENTERS FOR THE 5/24/17 RESOURCE EXTRACTION CALL ON THE DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY:

MS. ELONA STREET-STEWART, RULING ELDER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)

Synod Executive, Synod of Lakes and Prairies

Elona Street-Stewart is a ruling elder and member of Dayton Avenue Presbyterian Church in Saint Paul, MN. She is the Synod Executive for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, having previously served as Synod Staff Associate for racial Ethnic Ministries and Community Empowerment.  She has served PC (USA) in many capacities for many years on racial justice matters in mission development and support programs. Ms. Stewart, member of the Delaware Nanticoke Nation, is the ﬁrst Native American to be installed as a synod executive with PC (USA).  She has spent many years serving her communities as well as the church and has served on many non-profits in Minnesota advocating for the education, employment and health of people of color and American Indians.  She served 12 years on the Board of Education for Saint Paul Public Schools and both the National and Minnesota School Board Associations.  She has also served on the Minnesota Council of churches and with the St. Paul Area Council of Churches' Department of Indian Work.  Ms. Stewart cares deeply about these issues, and her passion dates back to the 1970s, when the nation was celebrating the Bicentennial and the "discovery" and "civilization" of this land, and when there were calls for the church "to join tribal leadership to examine the root causes of the poverty, racism, and invisibility of our communities."

In November 2016 Ms. Stewart and her husband, Rev. David Stewart, were part of a PC(USA) delegation to Standing Rock (see link below).  She has recently facilitated workshops on Standing Rock and the Doctrine of Discovery at the PC(USA) Compassion, Peace and Justice Training and Ecumenical Advocacy Days events.  She will lead a similar workshop at the PC(USA) BIG TENT event this July in St. Louis, MO.

PC(USA) synod executive Street-Stewart recounts trip to ...

Https: › /www.presbyterianmission.org/story/pcusa-synod-executive... 
... synod executive Street-Stewart recounts trip to Standing Rock. PC(USA) synod executive Street-Stewart recounts ... Rock as a representative of the PC(USA) synod ...

REV. DANIEL LEBLANC, OMI, 

Staff - Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation; omiusajpic.org

Associate, International JPIC Office and Oblate UN Representative - New York Daniel has been a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate since 1971. Daniel is Canadian, but worked in Peru from 1978 until his appointment to the Oblates' General Administration JPIC Office in April 2007.  During his thirty years in Peru, Daniel served the urban poor of the capital city, Lima, as pastor of several parishes in the Diocese of Carabayllo and also in the high jungle. He worked on a variety of justice issues from assisting victims of terrorism to investigating mass graves and helping to bring perpetrators to justice. He also studied law at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). For many years, he was a member, as well as Chair, of the Latin American OMI Commission of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC).  On June 5, 1992, Fr. Daniel was a victim of a terrorist attack. A car bomb with 600 kilos of dynamite exploded outside a television station located across the street from the Oblates' provincial house. Father Daniel was asleep at the time. He suffered serious injuries that left him unconscious for days. “At one point they had declared me dead but that turned out to be a little premature,” Fr. Daniel now jokes. “There were about 70,000 people killed during Peru's 20-year civil war, but I was not one of them.”  

Currently Fr. Daniel represents the Oblate Congregation, recognized as an NGO at the United Nations, where he follows the work of the Commissions on Social Development, including the sub-committee on the eradication of poverty, Sustainable 

Development, the ), Financing for Development and Migration, and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII), the focus of which in 2012 was the Doctrine of Discovery.  Issues he has worked on include land-grabbing by the government of Bangladesh against the Garo and Khasi indigenous people, promoting peace and reconciliation during the civil war in Sri Lanka, and efforts along the U.S./Mexico border to promote justice for migrants and immigrants. 

2) FILMS ON THE DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY

Movie – Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery (Mennonites,others) [43"]

https://dofdmenno.org/movie 

“The Doctrine of Discovery: In the Name of Christ” This 43-minute documentary has three parts: History of the Doctrine of Discovery and its basis in Christian ...

"Exposing the Doctrine of Discovery" (Episcopal Church) [13'59"]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drLnI_k5b6s&;;;

3) DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY RESOURCES: PC(USA; ECUMENICAL; UNITED NATIONS 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) RESOURCES:

Standing Rock: Religious Leaders repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery, November 2016:
PC(USA) faith leaders join Standing Rock solidarity gathering: Apology and support for ongoing struggle offered to tribal leaders

Facebook page Irvin Porter, Multicultural/Native American Ministries:  https://www.facebook.com/Native-American-Ministries-PCUSA-232067750278099/. 

Presbyterian News Service article re: apology to Native Americans:  http://www.pcusa.org/news/2017/3/17/alaska-mayor-acknowledges-pcusa-apology/ and a youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tshc5mwli6o&feature=share. 

Link for Doctrine of Discovery: https://www.pc-biz.org/#/search/3000074. 

PC(USA) synod executive Street-Stewart recounts trip to ... 
Https: › /www.presbyterianmission.org/story/pcusa-synod-executive... 
... synod executive Street-Stewart recounts trip to Standing Rock. PC(USA) synod executive Street-Stewart recounts ... Rock as a representative of the PC(USA) synod ...

ECUMENICAL RESOURCES:

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS:

NYYM and the Doctrine of Discovery | New York Yearly Meeting 
nyym.org › ?q=DoctrineofDiscovery 
The Religious Society of Friends ... New York Yearly Meeting and the Doctrine of Discovery, ... the Doctrine of Discovery NYYM Actions. New York Yearly ...

MENNONITES:

Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery – A movement of ... 
dofdmenno.org 
Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery A movement of Anabaptist people of faith. Menu. Skip to content. About; Learn More; Movie; Study Guide; Get Involved; Contact ...

 Movie 
 About 
 Study Guide 
 Act Now 
 Contact 
 Blog 

Q: What is the “Doctrine of Discovery?” 
doctrineofdiscoverymenno.files.wordpress › 2015/06/dod... 
Q: What is the “Doctrine of Discovery?” The “Doctrine of Discovery” is a philosophical and legal framework dating to the 15th century that gave Christian ...

NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER

Doctrine of Discovery: A scandal in plain sight | National ... 
ncronline.org › news/peace-justice/doctrine-discovery... 
As for the doctrine’s more recent ... The papal documents led to an international norm called the Doctrine of Discovery, ... National Catholic Reporter ...

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST:
THE REPUDIATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY 
Uccfiles › pdf/DoctrineofDiscovery.pdf 
DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY ... of Discovery. Rethink theology, bible study and ... and concern in the United States about the Doctrine, the United Church of Christ,

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MINISTRIES:

Environmental Justice with Indigenous Peoples 
presbyterianmission.org › wp-content/uploads/2017Earth... 
Source: “Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery” exhibit, Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Working Group, dofdmenno.org. 2 BIBlE STUDY: PSAlm 24

UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION RE INDIGENOUS RIGHTS/DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY:

PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 
www.chiefs-of-ontario.org/sites/default/files/files/NITV Staff... 
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues ... Mandate of the Permanent Forum • To discuss indigenous issues within the ... United Nations Created Date: 4/27/2012 3:07 ...

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues ... 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Permanent_Forum_on... 
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII or PFII) ...

UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES  2007

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 
www.nnhrc.navajo-nsn.gov/docs/UN Declaration on the Rights of... 
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples . ... Solemnly proclaims the following United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES FORUM ON DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY, ARIZONA, 2012 [Reported to the 2012 UN PFII:  Doctrine of Discovery]

Doctrine of Discovery conference, Arizona, March 2012 ... 
https://www2.palomar.edu/pages/aaquallo/2012/03/28/doctrine-of... 
Doctrine of Discovery conference, Arizona, March 2012. ... This is an awesome article that was sent in response to the Doctrine of Discovery conference ... March 28 ...

Indigenous Peoples Forum On Doctrine of Discovery at ... 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P8JO7XARko 
Indigenous Peoples Forum On Doctrine of Discovery at Arizona Capitol March 23, 2012 ... on the Doctrine of Discovery held at the Arizona State ...

UN PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES, 2012:  DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues - indianlaw.org 
indianlaw.org/sites/default/files/UNPFII_11th session report.pdf 
E/2012/43-E/C.19/2012/13 United Nations ... Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues shall be held at ... Future work of the Permanent Forum, including issues of the ...

UNITED NATIONS PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES ... 
www.afn.ca/uploads/files/unpfii_undrip_2008-2012_northamerican... 
UNITED NATIONS PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES ... Permanent Forum will therefore ensure ... indigenous peoples, the United Nations system and other ...

UNPFII Discussion: Doctrine of Discovery | Indigenous ... 
www.ienearth.org/unpfii-discussion-doctrine-of-discovery 
United Nations Permanent Forum 11 ... agencies of the United Nations that the doctrine of discovery is an ... the rights of Indigenous peoples. Issues ...

Indigenous Peoples Forum on the Impact of the Doctrine of ... 
doctrineofdiscoveryforum.blogspot.com/2012/09/dismantling-doctrine... 
Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery. ... 2012 a public forum on the impact of the Doctrine of Discovery was ... UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues | The ... 
https://alanlechusza.wordpress.com/tag/united-nations-permanent... 
Posts about United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues ... 2012 the NAHUACALLI ... submission in May to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

[UNPFii 2012] The Doctrine of Discovery: its enduring ... 
aippnet.org/unpfii-2012-the-doctrine-of-discovery-its-enduring... 
[UNPFii 2012] The Doctrine of ... Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. ... (article 28 and 37 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) ...

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 
www.un.org/press/en/2012/hr5088.doc.htm 
... Permanent Forum Told ‘Doctrine of Discovery’, ... Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues ... The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues will ...

UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues discusses theme ... 
https://www.unngls.org/index.php/un-ngls_news_archives/2012/350-un... 
2012; UN Permanent Forum on ... “The Doctrine of Discovery: ... She also urged the Forum to change its name to the “UN Permanent Forum on the Rights of Indigenous determination.

UN PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES, 2017

UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 2017 

lrinspire.com - 3 days ago 
In the Spirit of World Peace. In the Spirit of Peace with Mother Earth. In global acknowledgement of the INTERNATIONAL SPIRITUAL MONUMENT at STANDING ROCK, in the Oceti Sakowin Treaty ...

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