I recently wrote about the concept of narrative shift and how that idea is being used by my friend Christine Nobiss and her colleagues involved with SHIFT – Seeding the Hill with Indigenous Freethinkers, a project of Seeding Sovereignty. The idea is to give voice to those who aren’t heard when discussing indigenous issues, the native people themselves.

I’ve also been praying and writing about the many reasons White people need to learn from and follow the lead of indigenous peoples. How I finally came to the realization that Quaker values are much more consistent with indigenous values that with the corporate capitalist system.

Decolonizing is how White people can move away from the capitalist system to a system that reflects the values of indigenous peoples, and Quakers.

Yesterday I listed a number of resources to learn about decolonization.

There is a concept in justice work that oppressed communities should not be asked to teach others about their situation.

So how can White people learn about indigenous solutions? An obvious way is to listen to indigenous people discussing their ideas. But where can we find opportunities for that without being burdensome?

The online SHIFT the Narrative discussions are an excellent way. I’ve learned a great deal from these interviews. One of the most profound things I’ve personally learned as I listen to these women leaders is how it feels, for a change, to not be the gender that is in control of the conversation. The next presentation is tomorrow. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BtSNxkiVSWGl_Dr7rbMnUg

Thursday, May 28th, 2020
4pm EST | 3pm CST | 1pm PST

We will be speaking with Kali “K.O” Mequinonoag Reis and Owl. Kali, Seaconke Wampanoag and Cherokee Nations, is the first mixed Native American Female World Champion Boxer. Owl, Ramapough Munsee Lenape Nation, is an attorney working at the intersection of human rights, Indigenous rights and the environment.
The Seaconke Wampanoag and Ramapough Munsee Lenape Nations are not federally recognized, though they are recognized by the states that engross their territories. We will discuss the ongoing fight for sovereignty with the understanding that there are many pitfalls to federal recognition but why it is necessary to protect land rights. This is an important conversation considering the current crisis the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation is facing as their land trust has been revoked during COVID-19. An important part of this discussion will delve into what it is like to be Indigenous after 400 + years of living with European and African ancestry. 

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Sandwich Month Meeting (Quakers) recently published: Letter: An open-hearted plea concerning native peoples and Mashpee in particular. SouthCoastToday.com, May 22, 2020

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