The book is off the a strong start and this makes me happy! This past weekend was Native American Sunday at UCC churches across America. I was invited to give the sermon at our church in Casco and it gave me a chance to speak about Pine Ridge. The UCC (globally) has repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery. The Doctrine began as a 15th century papal edict that gave European Christian explorers the “authority” to claim foreign lands they “discovered” for their Christian monarchs, so long as the native peoples were not already Christians. This papal “ruling” was the justification and basis for colonialism. It was great to learn that the United Church of Christ take such a progressive position. As I said in my talk…”apologies are not meant to change the past, they are meant to change the future.”
Apologies require awareness. Awareness, I feel, is critical to helping native peoples today feel recognized and acknowledged…which will, in turn, help more Native American communities let the past go a little bit more and more forward with more confidence and focused eyes on the future.
On Tuesday I did a radio show with Love Maine Radio about the book and tonight I am doing an event at a leading library in Western Maine. Over 1,500 copies have been sold and distributed! NOT FOR SALE – Finding Center in the Land of Crazy Horse is off to a strong start! Wopila Tanka! Help me keep spreading the word!
