Stealing the Earth Part 1: What is the Doctrine of Discovery?
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 one 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 first session is presented by Rev. Alvin Deer, Rev. Carol Lakota Eastin, and Rev. Dr. Daniel Hawk.
Deer is a clergy member of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, and a former Executive Director of NAIC. He wrote the 1996 Methodist Apology for the Sand Creek Massacre and has advocated for healing and reconciliation throughout his ministry.
Eastin is a clergy member of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference whose ministry has focused on healing relationships with indigenous people and is a contributing author to Women with 2020 Vision which explores the political influence of Native American Women.
Hawk is Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Ashland Theological Seminary, a clergy member of the East Ohio Conference and the author of Joshua in 3-D: A Commentary on Biblical Conquest and Manifest Destiny, as well as shorter works that explore the parallels between the biblical and American conquest narratives.
Resources
A Call to Truth Telling and Repentance October 6, 2021: A Day of Truth and Repentance for Our Children
2021 Spiritual Growth Mission Study, Bearing Witness in the Kin-dom: Living into the Church’s Moral Witness through Radical Discipleship. New York: United Methodist Women.
Part Three of this study discusses the Doctrine of Discovery, the UMC’s act of repentance, the Sand Creek Massacre, and the need for restitution.