Resolutions call for repudiation of Doctrine of Discovery
May 29th, 2010
A former Penobscot Indian Nation chief is calling on national Indian organizations to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and all laws and policies based on it.
Penobscot elder and former Chief Jim Sappier has drafted identical resolutions for the United South and Eastern Tribes and the National Congress of American Indians in support of the Episcopal Church’s “Call for Justice for Indigenous Peoples” to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery.
The resolutions have been forwarded and will be presented at USET’s semi-annual meeting June 14 – 17 in Mobile, Ala., and NCAI’s mid-year conference June 20 – 23 in Rapid City, S.D.
The national Episcopal Church passed a resolution last summer disavowing the Doctrine of Discovery and calling on the United States government to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. USET and NCAI have already passed resolutions supporting the endorsement of UNDRIP.
I have written extensively about the Doctrine of Discovery in my book and in articles you can download for free on the web (and this one on the Doctrine in New Zealand). The Doctrine is a principle of international law developed in a series of 15th century papal bulls and 16th century charters by European monarchs designed to claim the lands and assets of non-christian, non-european peoples.
Sappier said the resolutions are based on the crucial need for education about the history of the Indigenous peoples and the U.S. government.
May 30th, 2010 21:41
Thanks for the details.Well i would certainly like to hear about the Doctrine of Discovery.The best part is that it can be downloaded for free.It is imperative to know about the history of the Indigenous people.Look forward to hearing from you soon again.
May 31st, 2010 07:23
is curious, an interesting blog, thanks.
June 4th, 2010 09:26
Look forward to hearing from you soon again.It is imperative to know about the history of the Indigenous people.The best part is that it can be downloaded for free.Well i would certainly like to hear about the Doctrine of Discovery.
Thanks for the details.
June 5th, 2010 11:48
Well i would certainly like to hear about the Doctrine of Discovery.The best part is that it can be downloaded for free.
July 28th, 2010 15:15
I think you should sell your articles on the side in book style binding. I’m absolutely thrilled to see some actual fact and not the hollywood crap some others are putting out there.
Awesome work!