Stealing the Earth Part 5: “Undoing the Doctrine:” Developing a Theology of Repentance & Repair
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 five 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. 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 fifth session is presented by Great-grandmother Mary Lyons and Rev. Chebon Kernell Jr.
Great-grandmother Mary Lyons is an Ojibwe Elder, a world-renowned Wisdom Keeper, Knowledge Holder, Humanitarian, an Empowerment Coach, Activist, and Author. She brings a de-colonial and anti-capitalistic framework to the mainstream environmental movement through spiritual wisdom lessons. She speaks at rallies, city council meetings, schools, women prisons, global elder circles and is currently an elder observer at the United Nations Forum on Indigenous Issues. Being an activist and policy changer; she’s worked on everything from Native Lives Matter, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, LGBT, Transgender issues, Moms Clean Air Force organization, and bringing awareness and action to protecting the four elements, Water, Air, Fire and Earth.
Rev. Chebon Kernell Jr., an ordained Elder in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference and enrolled member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and is of Muscogee Creek heritage, is the Executive Director of the Native American Comprehensive Plan of the United Methodist Church. He has worked with the World Council of Churches, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops assisting to improve relationships with Indigenous communities through dialogue, study and local or regional acts of repentance acknowledging harms inflicted upon Indigenous communities.