Mother Earth’s Pandemic: The Doctrine of Discovery

 

  • Dates: Thursday August 6, 13, and 20, 2020
  • Times: 6-9 PM EST each Thursday, followed by caucuses/small group discussions.
  • Location: Online
  • Sponsors: Indigenous Values Initiative and American Indian Law Alliance
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The “Doctrine of Discovery,” better described as the “Doctrine of Christian Discovery and World Domination,” established the worldview that not only brought devastation to the natural world, but also impaired the ability for human beings to live in proper relationship with the Earth. 15th century Papal Bulls, issued by the Vatican, justified the assault upon Indigenous Peoples as an artificial justification to take possession of their bodies, lands and resources in order to finance their New World Order. This worldview advanced the Age of Discovery as an extension of the Crusades, and was the conceptual framework behind the Protestant Reformation, the establishment of Nation States around the world, and later secularized to define colonialism, white supremacy and global capitalism.

Essentially, what defines Indigenous Peoples is their relationship with a living landscape that includes the soil, water, air, and all other non-human being co-inhabitants.  This orientation to land is distinctly opposed to the European concept of owning land and the process of colonization.  Indigenous scholars have discussed these two opposing orientations as being one of habitation and the other, of occupation. Although the violent seizure of Indigenous lands was initiated with “discovery,” corporations today, continue exploiting Indigenous Peoples and their land all over the world. The Doctrine of Discovery is the root of the problem, and the reason that it is discussed at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

This current pandemic and the escalating climate chaos clarify to everyone that there are consequences to the devastation humans have perpetrated upon the environment.  As Oren Lyons has pointed out, Natural Law will reestablish balance, and these climate changes will not destroy the Earth, but will most likely destroy the human beings who abuse her. The earth will rebound in its own time. If we are to survive as a species, we must reorient to an Indigenous worldview acknowledging that we are first and foremost, co-inhabitants with this Earth—not in charge of it. These Indigenous values, along with the acceptance of traditional ecological knowledge, will transform future technological innovations possibly resulting in a viable future for our species.  Religious concepts of imperial thinking urgently need to be re-imagined; messages from Indigenous Peoples need to be heeded; and environmental justice needs to be restored.  Racist ideologies of conquest and domination are directly connected with domination of the Earth and other non-human beings.

This conference will connect the dots between our current pandemic, environmental devastation, the Doctrine of Discovery, and a way forward. Too often these are thought of as unrelated concepts, rather than being the core impediment in working towards social justice in an ecologically balanced Earth.  Our speakers have been working in these areas for many decades.  Participants will hear the wisdom from the traditions of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), as well as other Indigenous Peoples. Through virtual discussion groups, you will be able to interact on how best to implement these values of respect, thanksgiving, and peace into your lives.

Please join us in August 2020 for conversations about the Doctrine of Discovery, so we can begin the process of decolonization back to understanding our proper relationship to the natural world and peace.

 

Schedule

Thursday 6 August, 6-9 PM (EST)

Thursday 13 August, 6-9 PM (EST)

Thursday 20 August, 6-9 PM (EST)

 

Thematic Discussion Groups (caucuses)

After each panel there will be facilitated thematic discussion groups (caucus) for intentional thematic dialogue and conversations around the panels and possible next steps. Each caucus will have a facilitator and be capped at 25 members as a way of allowing for intentional conversations. Caucuses will be assigned on a first come first serve basis. We will try and accommodate your choices as best we are able but no guarantees. The Indigenous Peoples solidarity caucus is reserved as a space for Indigenous Nations and Peoples to talk. The regional action caucus groups we will be crafted to the best of our ability based on a critical mass of folks from a particular location.