July News - Coalition Annual Gathering
- Volunteers Still Needed
- July COFA Training
Audiobook out NOW
|
|
|
Coalition Annual Gathering in Minneapolis, MN |
Group picture outside of New City Center in Minneapolis |
The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery held our Annual Gathering last month (June 28-30th) in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul), MN at Unity Church Unitarian. About 40-50 people attended the gathering, and 17 online attendees over Zoom. Participants represented mostly Mennonite churches but also Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, Unitarian Universalists, and Episcopalian congregations, conferences, and national organizations. We are grateful for the presence of Luke Black Elk (Thitȟuŋwaŋ Lakota) who provided meaningful reflections at the end of our sessions on Saturday. He and his wife (Linda Black Elk) are the caretakers of the Makoce Ikikcupi village in Mountain Lake (named Hohwoju Otunwe - Village of Vibrant Growth). We would like to thank Arch Bishop Mark MacDonald, Bishop Patrick Bell, and Fr. Joe Hubbard for attending. The Coalition is growing in relationship with the Episcopal Church! Some highlights from the weekend: |
Makoce Ikikcupi (Dakota for "Land Recovery")
Over 35 people gathered on Friday June 28th at Zani Otunwe (Village of Wellness), Makoce Ikicupi land near Granite Falls, Minnesota to hear from the Dakota people about land recovery efforts in Minnesota and to plant berry bushes and clear brush. |
The group was hosted by several Dakota people, including Waziyatawin. The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery is so grateful to have been invited and to have joined in the work for that day! |
Volunteers at work in Zani Otunwe (photos by John Kellen) |
|
|
Dakota earth lodge from the outside (photo by John Kellen) |
| Inside a Dakota earth lodge (photo by John Kellen) |
|
|
Makoce Ikicupi has purchased three plots out of the 10 they plan to recover. Dakota people will inhabit and farm these plots using traditional and sustainable permaculture practices.
At Zani Otunwe two Earth Lodges have been built along with several outbuildings. A second plot, Howoju Otunwe (Village of Vibrant Growth) was purchased in 2022 in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. A third plot has just been purchased.
Learn more |
| Gifting Waziyatawin a woven rug of reeds (photo by John Kellen) |
|
|
The Indian Recovery Act
This is an initiative by Coalition members in Minnesota to pass a bill that would charge a 0.05% surcharge on all real estate transactions. A $250,000 sale generates $125. Based on recent years’ sales, potential yield would accrue $25-40 million annually. The beneficiaries would be any Indian communities in Minnesota, regardless of location (reservation or urban) or tribal status (federal, state, or not recognized). To find out more contact Coalition Repair Network Organizer Doe Hoyer (doe@dismantlediscovery.org)
|
|
|
Between 40-50 people attended the annual gathering in person |
| Doe Hoyer and Conie Borchardt, Executive Director of Music that Makes Community, led us in singing throughout the annual gathering |
|
|
The 100-year Campaign
Coalition Executive Director, Sarah Augustine boldly articulated a vision for a 100-year campaign to completely reimagine life on earth, post-fossil fuels, post-extractive industry, and post-capitalism. She passionately expressed the Coalition’s commitment to protecting the environment and those earth and water keepers (Indigenous peoples) who are organizing against big mining, drilling, and other profit-driven, short-sighted ventures. Her book, co-written with Sheri Hostetler (pastor at First Mennonite San Francisco), So That We and Our Children May Live: Following Jesus in Confronting the Climate Crisis, spells out her vision.
|
|
|
Left to right: Episcopal Bishop Pat Bell, Hallie Liu Rogers (Steering Co-Chair), and Luke Gascho (organizer in Goshen, IN) |
| Left to right: John Stoesz (organizer with MN Repair Community), Luke Black Elk, and Sheri Hostetler |
|
|
Partnership with Mennonite Action
The Coalition to dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery is partnering with Mennonite Action to send a youth delegation to the Mt. Graham Run (July 18-21st). Members of the Coalition have also partnered with Menno Action and are supporting their July event in Washington, DC. During the Coalition’s meeting, several participants commented on how the Palestinian and Indigenous struggles for homeland, justice, and an end to occupation are deeply connected. The Doctrine of Discovery and resulting settler colonialism was devastating for Indigenous peoples, including those here in North America and in Palestine.
|
Quotes from the weekend: “‘Concilation’ not ‘reconciliation’ because we never had a good relationship in the first place.”
“The dark side of allyship: ‘allyship’ makes it seem that ultimately this work is not our work (as whites). A better term is ‘co-conspirator’ in that we are in it together. Whites need to live with Indigenous people people to co-create a new way.” “The world is one plate with many spoons,” A Haudenosaunee saying.
“The Bible ceases to be good news when it isn’t good news for everyone.” “Decolonization training is not a training; it is a transformation.”
“When the systems are breaking down, that’s when new things can happen.” Annual Gathering summary by Kimberly Schmidt |
|
|
|
Do you speak Spanish? The Coalition is looking for Spanish speaking volunteers! Our Maya-Mennonite Solidarity Working Group is in need of additional interpreters and translators. Please email us if you'd like to support Indigenous solidarity and language justice in this way. Interested in supporting Indigenous land protectors? Maya Solidarity is looking for new working group members! You do not need to know Spanish to join the working group. Send us an email to express interest.
MVS position: Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) is a 1-2 year volunteer service program for individuals age 20+. Through MVS, you can serve with the Coalition in Tucson, Arizona. Do you know of anyone who might be interested? Encourage them to apply! The position has not yet been filled for the 2024-25 term. Fill out an application here
Interested in other ways of plugging in? Attend our Volunteer Orientation every third Thursday of the month on Zoom from 4-5:30 PST / 5-6:30 MST / 6-7:30 CST / 7-8:30 EST. Register here |
|
|
For nearly a decade, Apache Stronghold has been fighting in federal court to preserve the heart of their spiritual practices: Chi’chil Biłdagoteel (Oak Flat).
Chí'chil Biłdagoteel Oak Flat Accompaniment (COFA) is a semi-autonomous working group of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery (Dismantling Coalition). COFA is a team that shares the work of prayerful and protective accompaniment with Apache Stronghold as they and we work to protect and honor sacred sites and Mother Earth.
COFA is a team called by the Spirit that has been formed through shared prayerful work, growing mutual care and connection with Apache Stronghold and the sacred Land.
This month, the Coalition held an accompaniment training at Shalom Mennonite Fellowship in Tucson, AZ. There were 8 participants who were part this training and the Mount Graham Run with Apache Stronghold from July 16th - 21st. |
Back row (left to right): Vix Sage, Mary Goering, Frances Loberg, Autumn McClintock, and Tim Nafziger Front row (left to right): Deborah Yoder, Jodi-beth McCain, Molly Block, Ris Ruiz, and Carol Rose |
Five trainers (Sarah Augustine, Doe Hoyer, Tracy Howe, Tim Nafziger, and Carol Rose) led the training, and volunteer Jim Lichti offered logistical support.
Participants from this training hope to spend one month (over the next year) at Oak Flat in prayerful accompaniment of the land and in solidarity with Apache Stronghold leaders. |
|
|
Please continue your support for and solidarity with Apache Stronghold through prayer and action.
Support the Apache Stronghold journey through prayer: Apache Stronghold is prayerfully journeying to the Supreme Court to file their appeal. The journey began on the West coast in the Lummi Nation, continued with the Mount Graham Annual Sacred Run (July 18-21), and is now on its way to Washington, D.C. There Apache Stronghold will give the Supreme Court an opportunity to stop the U.S. government from trading away Chíchʼil Bił Dagoteel/Oak Flat to Resolution Copper, a joint venture of foreign mining companies.
Host Apache Stronghold and sponsor a local gathering of prayer on behalf of this effort: Apache Stronghold is still working out its precise route. You can help by offering overnight accommodations as well as sponsoring an event that can extend Apache Stronghold’s relationship with your community and join your prayers with theirs. If it turns out that you are not on the route of Apache Stronghold travels, you could also organize a prayer event during the journey or coinciding with the filing in Washington DC, likely in the second half of August. Please share photos and descriptions of these events!
To get Apache Stronghold’s message directly, view this video from Dr. Wendsler Nosie Sr.
If you are curious and desire more details or already know you want to sign up either as a host or participant, please contact Kendra Moesle (kendra.nissley@gmail.com) and Jim Lichti (lichtijames@gmail.com).
|
|
|
So We and Our Children - The Audiobook |
|
|
| For those who prefer listening to books instead of reading them: the audiobook for So We and Our Children May Live is out NOW!
Narrated by authors Sheri Hosteler and Sarah Augustine. Available on Amazon and Apple Books
|
Enjoying the book?
Consider leaving a review on Amazon! These reviews will increase the number of people Amazon recommends this book to. Your reviews don't have to be long and you don't have to have read the entire book to write one. You can read about how to leave a review here.
|
|
|
Don't use Amazon? We understand that not everyone uses Amazon. Consider recommending So We and Our Children to a friend or gifting them a copy. |
|
|
Join our next Prayer as Action on August 30th from 4-5:30 PST / 5-6:30 MST / 6-7:30 CST / 7-8:30 EST. Come and offer up spoken and silent prayers for Indigenous land defenders as we learn about and share opportunities for further action. Register below for the zoom link! |
|
|
Looking for how to plug-in? Want to learn more about the Coalition? Join the New Volunteer Orientation on August 15 from 4-5:30 PST / 5-6:30 MST / 6-7:30 CST / 7-8:30 EST. Register below for the zoom link! |
|
|
Our next two Coffee Hours are Wednesday, July 31st and August 28th 9:00 am PST / 10:00 am MST / 11:00 am CST / 12:00 pm EST. A member of our staff will be available to answer questions and spend time in community together. Register at the link below. |
|
|
All check donations to the Coalition should be sent to the following address: Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery 3258 Thompson Ave. Alameda, CA 94501 Checks should still be made out to our fiscal sponsor, Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference. If the check is for the salary campaign or another special fund, that should also be mentioned in the memo line. |
|
|
Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*
*{{Unsubscribe}}* |
|
The Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Coalition is fiscally sponsored by and a ministry partner of the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference (PSMC).
Want to receive our appeal letters by mail? Email your address to us at admin@dismantlediscovery.org |
|
|
|
