Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA), the Native American International Caucus (NAIC), and United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR) present a five-part webinar series: Stealing the Earth: The Conquering of Indigenous People, the Role of Christianity, and What Can Bring about Justice.

This is part three of a five-part discussion of the “Doctrine of Discovery,” a theological and legal concept that has legitimized the seizure of indigenous people's lands by those from so-called Christian nations. We will first discuss its impact in North America and then broaden our inquiry to Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Further sessions will delve into the impact of the ownership of land, the power of narrative, white normativity, and the theological basis to respond, repair, and repent.

Our third session is presented by LaRenda Morgan and Leon (Kaulahao) Siu.

LaRenda Morgan is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma and is also part of the Otoe Missouria Tribe. She attended Carter Seminary Indian boarding school and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in Social Sciences and a Masters in Human Relations. Since then she has held a wide variety of offices within her tribe and Oklahoma state government and is currently the Governmental Affairs Officer for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. She regularly speaks on the topics of Intergenerational Trauma, Historical Trauma, Cultural Competency, Foster Care Recruitment, Indian Child Welfare Act Compliance, Barriers to Native Voting, Native Political Engagement, Native Voters, Tribal-State Relations, Women in Gaming Empowerment Tools, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Epidemic and Domestic Violence in Indian Country. La Renda Morgan is a United Methodist and a proud Cheyenne descendent of “Shell Woman,” a survivor of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864.

Leon (Kaulahao) Siu is of Hawaiian and Chinese ancestry and hails from the island of Hawaii. While he is well known as a recording artist with the group “Leon & Malia,” he also plays a vital role in the movement to restore the Hawaiian Kingdom as a sovereign nation. To that end he is currently serving as its Minister of Foreign Affairs with the goal of restoring diplomatic relations with other nations. He also serves as a director of the Koani Foundation. In 2016 Mr. Siu was awarded the Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, was nominated for the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize and in June 2017 he received the Decree of Consecration Diploma and Gold Medal “UN Peacemaker Sergio Vieira de Mello Award” from the International Parliament. He is co-author of the book, Modus Vivendi Situation of West Papua and the editor of two seminal works: Perpetuated in Righteousness and Hawaii the Fake State – A Nation in Captivity.