DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY - TAKING ACTION

Listen to Audio Version of Whole Service (mp3)
Listen to Audio Version of Sermon (mp3)
Listen to or read Paul Davis' homily that same day

In 2010 Unitarian Universalists were in a bind. The next General Assembly in 2012 was planned to take place in Phoenix, Arizona. Some were calling for a boycott of that state following the passage of SB1070, which required police to determine the immigration status of someone arrested or detained when there is "reasonable suspicion" they are not in the US legally. Many, including myself, believed this would lead to racial profiling and other human rights abuses. Unitarians were divided, but eventually agreed to hold a "Justice GA" in Arizona on the planned GA dates. They worked together with local immigration groups to create a forum for justice issues. One request was for the repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery, as, among many ongoing effects, it has a direct influence over immigration attitudes and policies - it supports the notion that this is a "white nation" on a white continent.

The delegates of the congregations at the 2012 General Assembly discussed the Doctrine of Discovery and passed a Responsive Resolution:

...that we, the delegates of the 2012 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association, repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery as a relic of colonialism, feudalism, and religious, cultural, and racial biases having no place in the modern day treatment of indigenous peoples...

It goes on in the end to say:

"Be it finally resolved that we call upon the United States to fully implement the standards of the UN Declearation on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the US law and policy without qualifications. In doing so we support the establishment of commissions that include accountable representatives of the indigenous nations of North America and the Hawai'ian Kingdom."

Kamila Jacob, who works at the UU United Nations Office, says "Throughout our history, policies and discriminatory laws have been created from this doctrine. These policies and laws continue to exist due to ignorance of this history and lack of action to overturn the Doctrine of Discovery."

Dave Weiman is a member of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria, Illinois, and of Unitarian Universalists Working Together to Repudiate the Doctrine and Endorse the Declaration says "Supporting the implementation of the Declaration and repudiating the Doctrine is not merely an exercise in being politically correct. Answering the Indigenous Peoples' appeal is an integral part of a purposeful movement to establish justice for sovereign Peoples who share our planet. Answering the Indigenous Peoples' appeal fully embraces our UU Principles."

So what can Mission Peak or we as individuals do? Of course one thing we can always do is to educate ourselves and our families. Do you know about the Gathering of the Ohlone Peoples today at Coyote Hills Regional Park until 4:30pm this afternoon? This is a great opportunity for you and your family to learn more about the people who occupied this land right here before the Spanish arrived.They're still here. Members of the Ohlone Nation will share their culture and history, including food, music, song, dance, demonstrations and stories. This event is free, except for a $5 parking fee.

Beyond becoming better educated, we can ask local government about their relationship with Native American communities and work to end government marginalization of native people and to ensure that indigenous rights are institutionalized and legally binding.

For example, in the Bay area, Indigenous People Organizing is trying to protect shell mounds which are in fact ancient burial sites and should be protected by law. The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe representing peoples indigenous to the Bay Area are involved in a multi-year lawsuit to obtain federal recognition, despite previous conclusions that they were in fact already recognized. In Burney, California the local Pitt River Tribe is trying to protect the sacred Medicine Lake from geo-thermal development.

Earlier this year there was a bill introduced in California to rename Columbus Day "Native American Day". This was fought by Italian Americans who see the day as a commemoration of one of the most famous Italians to ever set foot in the Americas. Some places, including the City of Berkeley, now call it Indigenous People's Day. I invite you to celebrate Indigenous People's Day next Monday by finding out more about one of the issues that came up in today's service, and finding a way to respond. I will be requesting the worship associates to calendar a visit from the local Ohlone community a year from now to bring us up to date on Native American issues here in our community.

Benediction

I'd like to close with words written by the Coruña congregation, the Global Chalice Lighting for November 2008, submitted to the International Conference of Unitarians and Universalists by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Spain:

May this chalice, that we (lit) here together, pervade and light this place, showing in our hearts the right direction to take, that we not forget during the following week.
May its rays of light shine deeply in our souls, kindling new wisdom and new projects inside us that symbolize the light of duty and understanding and the magnificence of justice and truth, and bringing peace to us.