Indigenous Speaker Series |
Our society now faces the stark consequences of ecological overshoot, including climate change. Many of us within the church wish to resist systems of power proactively, but we most often participate in performative actions rather than engaging in systems change. Many of us do not know how to approach systems change.
As faith communities, we are under-utilizing Indigenous vision and experience. We are curious about how to explore and even design sustainable models by leaning into Indigenous cosmologies.
Indigenous peoples have successfully lived sustainably within their ecosystems because they built systems designed to do this. Let us consider how we might do so by consulting with Indigenous experts.
In this speaker series, we asked Indigenous thought-leaders to reflect with us about what might comprise ecologically successful systems.
Each presentation is unique, depending on the expertise of the speaker and the content of the presentation. Each speaker deeply reflects on Indigenous cosmology as it relates to systems, then processes with Sarah Augustine (the interviewer).
Rather than a lecture or sermon, the speaker shares and then engages in discussion in a workshop format. Each consultation is approximately 90 minutes in length.
The learning in this series is cumulative. As the series progresses, we accumulate assumptions and understandings, with the purpose of learning, exploring, and designing systems responses and even systems change. Currently only one of this seven part series is published. More recordings will be posted in the coming months (about once a month). We invite you to watch and reflect on this series with us. Sarah Augustine Executive Director of the Coalition to Dismantle the DoD |
Introducing our new Chaplain! |
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The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery is excited to introduce our new part time Chaplain: the Rev. Cannon Deborah J. Royals!
Rev. Debbie's role as Chaplain will be to incorporate more spiritual care into our movement. In our work together we need accompaniment and spiritual nourishment as we engage with sometimes difficult work.
Our Chaplain will be working with people one-on-one, within working groups and committees, and in our public gatherings (like Decolonial Worship hours).
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About:
Debbie is Pascua Yaqui from Tucson, AZ, a sister, mother to two wonderful young men and grandmother to four. She is an Episcopal priest, author, retreat leader and educator. Debbie earned a diploma in Nursing, a B.A. in Native American Spirituality and Theology from Prescott College, an M.Div. from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and a M.A. in Religion and Society from the Graduate Theological Union. She serves as the Canon for Native American Ministry in the Diocese of Arizona and is developing a “new church community” called Four Winds serving Indigenous people. She also serves the diocese as a Title IV Intake Officer.
Debbie served for 19 years as Faculty for the Church Pension Group leading clergy wellness conferences in Physical Health and Spirituality, designing curriculum and developing the worship materials for all conferences. Debbie has served as Native Ministry Coordinator for Province VIII, Missioner for Native Ministry in the Dioceses of Northern California and Los Angeles, as chair of the Standing Commission on Mission & Evangelism and on the Executive Council’s Committee on Indigenous Ministry. She also participated in Lambeth 2008 as a presenter and writer for the Listening Process. Debbie led the Indigenous Theological Training Institute for 10 years and published several journals with Indigenous theologians, has published in books on prayer and daily meditations. Debbie has navigated the divide by forming a bridge as a Native American spiritual leader and Episcopal priest. Her passion for restorative justice and binding community is evident in every aspect of her life.
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Volunteer Opportunity: Zoom Hosting |
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The Coalition is offering online trainings every month throughout 2025. At some of these trainings there is only one trainer available, and so we are in need of additional volunteers to help with Zoom hosting responsibilities.
We are seeking volunteers to be Zoom tech/admins for trainings and other online gatherings.
Zoom Hosting would include: recording Zoom sessions, setting up breakout rooms, taking attendance, monitoring the chat, and helping to keep the Zoom space running smoothly.
Volunteers will be oriented to the Coalition Zoom by Coalition staff. Interested? Contact Deborah Yoder at deborah@dismantlediscovery.org |
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The Circle of Indigenous Ministries is looking to hire a part-time Administrative Assistant (AA) to work about 20hrs/week. This position is located in the Oregon-Idaho Conference Center in Portland, Oregon, with remote working flexibility.
The Circle of Indigenous Ministries is a ministry of the United Methodist Church in the Greater Northwest Episcopal area (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington). The ministry supports Native American and Indigenous churches, fellowships, and ministry partners through resourcing, coaching, consultation, and friendship, seeking healthy right relationships as they follow the Great Spirit.
Read the full job description* and apply
*the effective start date on the job description reads Nov. 1, 2024, but the position has yet to be filled |
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Oak Flat Supreme Court Appeal |
Oak Flat, photo by Jeremy Gilchrist (COFA team member) |
After a soul-nourishing and spiritually-intertwining 11th annual Chichil Bilgadoteel Oak Flat March/Run, the Supreme Court has still not released a decision on Apache Stronghold’s appeal. The next conference is the day this newsletter lands in your inboxes: Feb 28, 2025. We still cannot know when a decision will come in.
Read Apache Stronghold's latest press release here, and continue to follow their social media for updates.
We continue to welcome you into sustaining our waiting/wading with prayer:
Sunset Prayer [adapted]
by Michaela Esau
[Today,] we offer our [breath] to the Creator, the one who gave us bodies to move and the strength to build movements.
Protect Wendsler Nosie, his family, and all of Apache Stronghold from their persecutors.
Protect the spiritual practice of the San Carlos Apache so their connection with their ancestors and Creator may remain strong.
Protect the trees, animals, and water of Oak Flat. May the life You created continue to thrive in this sacred place.
We ask that You guide the twelve judges who will hear Apache Stronghold’s case. Open their ears to the pleas of Apache Stronghold’s legal counsel, and their hearts to the importance of sacred land. Remind them that their lives depend on the health of the land and spirit, just as much as the Apache’s do.
Take the energy of our bodies, the movement of our breath, and the power of our thoughts and turn it into protection and strength for Apache Stronghold and Oak Flat.
.amen.
~~~
If you want to find out more information about how to support Apache Stronghold and protect Oak Flat, reach out to molly@dismantlediscovery.org
You can indulge in prayer posts and more on our Instagram and Facebook.
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Last Chance: Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples |
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Join the Just Peace Pilgrimage: Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples led by our Executive Director Sarah Augustine. From April 8-12, travel to Yakima WA to become better acquainted with Indigenous Peoples, their connection to the land they live on, and the harms of settler colonialism. Cost: $950 plus travel
Registration deadline: March 1st |
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The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery is hosting online worship! Worship services will be focused around the theme of Healing and Economic Justice, and messages will center Indigenous cosmologies and activism. Join our Decolonial Worship today (Feb 28th) at 1pm PST / 4pm EST.
Register for today's Zoom link
Register for upcoming Decolonial Worship in March: Register for Friday March 28th |
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Coalition leadership is hosting a monthly Landback Coffee Hour to answer your questions about the Landback Fund. Have specific questions or want to talk about landback in your context? Join us on Zoom Monday, March 3rd at 4pm PT / 5pm MT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET
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Looking for how to plug-in? Want to learn more about the Coalition? Join our next Volunteer Orientation on March 20th from 4-5:30 PST / 5-6:30 MST / 6-7:30 CST / 7-8:30 EST. You can register below for the zoom link! |
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Our next Coffee Hour will be Wednesday, March 26th 9:00 am PST / 10:00 am MST / 11:00 am CST / 12:00 pm EST. Grab a cup of coffee and bring your questions as we spend time in community together. Register for the link below and join us! |
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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. |
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Our Contact Information
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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 |
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