Some members of Mennonite Creation Care Network gave money to a film project about the Doctrine of Discovery that was advertised through MCCN in 2015. The film examines the ways Christian theology contributed to unjust treatment of Native Americans/First Nations and how many of our ancestors benefitted from the theft of their land. Below is a letter from the Steering Committee of the Anabaptist Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. It invites you to read their blogs about Standing Rock and explains how you can continue to be part of the undoing of the Doctrine of Discovery. The organization’s new financial home is the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference.

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Below is a letter from the Steering Committee of the Anabaptist Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. 

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Dear friends,

Thank you for supporting our work to seek justice and peace in the movement to dismantle the doctrine of discovery.  Your support enabled the video “The Doctrine of Discovery: In the name of Christ” and the accompanying study guide, soon to be released.

Our coalition has grown.  In maturing relationship over the past two years, the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference has stepped forward to serve as our fiscal sponsor.  We are thankful to Everence for fulfilling this important role during the development of the video! You can now find us here.
Please join us in our ongoing work:

• Recently, members of our coalition drew support from across Mennonite congregations to accompany and support those at Standing Rock. To learn more, read our blog posts:

     Report from Standing Rock
     The Spiritual Roots of Resistance at Standing Rock Run Deep
Journey to the Heart of the Hive

• We continue to create and circulate educational tools across the United States, including our Doctrine of Discovery timeline/display. 

• With financial support from our coalition, Alison Brookins has been working with actor Ted Schwartz on a theatre piece called “Discovery: a comical lament” that is aimed at introducing Mennonite churches to core concepts of colonization and the Doctrine of Discovery.

• Members from geographical regions across the United States have joined together to advocate for Indigenous communities to National and international decision makers, calling for an end to violence, land-grabbing, and resource extraction without free, prior and informed consent.

• Coalition members are working to envision land- repatriation with Indigenous Peoples.

Would you like to show the video or use the study guide in your congregation, or coordinate to show the timeline/display, or invite someone to speak? Would you like to advocate to a senator or representative in your region with the support of our coalition? Would you like to work to repatriate land to Indigenous Peoples?  Would you like to use your talents as an artist to give voice to this work?  Do you have ideas or projects we can support? Would you like to become a sustaining member, committing $5 per month to this work?  Contact us!

Please continue to partner with us! Because we are an all-volunteer organization, every dollar you donate goes directly to supporting coalition projects.  Consider a one-time gift of $50 or $35.  Consider becoming a sustaining donor for a commitment of just $5 a month – consider it your once-per-month coffee fast for justice!

Thank you again for your support.  We look forward to joining with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Steering Committee, Anabaptist Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of of Discovery
Sarah Augustine, Luke Gasho, Sheri Hostetler, Tim Nafziger