Doctrine of Discovery Learning Weekend

Details

The Council on Indigenous Relations and the Province One Justice Network invite you to a long weekend of learning opportunities about the Doctrine of Discovery. This doctrine, a principle in international law and religious doctrine that originated in the 15th century, justified the taking of indigenous lands and the subjugation of their peoples under the premise that discovery granted rights to the discoverers. The Episcopal Diocese of Maine has taken an historic lead role in repudiating this complex assault on our Indigenous neighbors.

Events at the Cathedral

On Saturday, Sept. 12, 2-4 p.m. all are invited to the cathedral’s Upper Hall for an interactive map experience led by Wabanaki REACH: Restoration, Engagement, Advocacy, Change, and Healing. This program, Interacting with Wabanaki Maine History, was created by people who advocated for and supported the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Participants engage in a story of particular events in the history of 400 years of colonization of Wabanaki people by Europeans in this territory now called the state of Maine. This highly engaging experience, which is suitable for ages 14+, requires our full participation in order to genuinely increase our understanding of colonization and what it means for current descendants and future generations; to reflect on what story we are writing for our grandchildren.

REGISTER HERE

On Sunday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m., the cathedral will host a panel discussion in Emmanuel Chapel with Sarah Augustine and the Rev. Joe Hubbard on Wabanaki Land and Child Removal and the Doctrine of Discovery. Hubbard and Augustine are members of The Episcopal Church’s Truth, Justice, & Healing Commission of Native Boarding Schools. Augustine is a Pueblo (Tewa) descendent, executive director of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, and author of “The Land is Not Empty.” Hubbard is executive director of Ministry on the Margins in Bismarck, ND, and convenor of the Episcopal Indigenous Justice Roundtable. Augustine is the executive director of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. The event will be livestreamed here.

REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND IN PERSON

Members of the Wabanaki Alliance will be present both days at the cathedral with a table of information and Indigenous knowledge to share.

Other events

On Thursday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m., Sarah Augustine will discuss what is hidden in plain sight: how violence against Indigenous people is ongoing, and how we, as the church, are uniquely called to dismantle the systems that continue to justify it. Hosted by the St. Paul Center for Theology and Prayer. Register here.

On Sunday, Sept. 13, Augustine will give the sermon at the 9:30 a.m. service at St. Nicholas’, Scarborough. For the link to join the service online, email [email protected]. Hubbard will give the sermon at the 9 a.m. service at St. Peter’s, Portland. Watch the livestream here.