JUUstice Washington

A Unitarian Universalist State Action Network

Revolutionary Elders Project , First Event October 24, Online

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Among many cultures elders have an important place in the community, especially during turbulent times. Turtle Island, otherwise known as the United States, is undergoing monumental shifts on all levels: culturally, politically, economically, environmentally and spiritually. It is a time to mobilize, educate, reflect, connect and take action.

Young people are driving the change with energy and passion. Our actions have the potential to be grounded with wisdom and perspective from elders. This exchange is not only necessary, it is essential if we are to sustain for the long haul.

People from all backgrounds of any age are invited to join this virtual elder council to listen and engage with elders who generously share their stories to support us all in sustaining ourselves, each other, and the planet.

OCTOBER 24 ELDER COUNCIL: Featuring elder activists from the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense: Gary Lilley,  James Robert Ford, and Brad Lilley.

REGISTER TO ATTEND
(Registration gives you access to all three events. New passcodes will be sent each month to join the virtual elder council.)

Monthly themes (subject to change)

OCTOBER — “Community Organizing / Mutual Aid”
NOVEMBER — “Spiritual Activism”
DECEMBER — “Arts Activism”

Get Involved

Community is at the heart of revolution!
If you have time, talent, or monetary means to help this project realize its full potential, please reach out: zhaleh@mandalaforchange.com. Support of any kind is welcome: networking, organizing, funding, idea exchange, or other ways.

  • If you are a BIPOC elder interested in sharing your story and participating in a virtual event.
  • If you are a ‘younger’ from any racial/ethnic background with organizing skills or interest in multi-generational dialogues.
  • If you are a person in a position to support financially or in other non-monetary ways (e.g. gifting elders or directly offering financial honorariums).

Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) calls for congregations to research, identify, and acknowledge Indigenous peoples

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  • Do you know the history of the land your congregation calls “home?”
  • Do you know what Indigenous people historically or currently inhabit that land?
  • Do you know who the Indigenous people or communities are who live in your area or region and what their visions and struggles are?
  • Are you acting in relationship or solidarity with any of them?

If your answer to any of these questions is “No,” it is not because these questions are irrelevant or unimportant.  It is because the continuation of our colonial and white supremacy power structures depends on your not knowing, your not caring, and your not connecting.

The enormous wealth of the United States is based on the theft of Indigenous land and the enslavement of people of African descent. In order to maximize wealth, the colonizers sought to eliminate or minimize the number of people who could claim their Indigenous rights to land, natural resources and sovereignty. These attempts are ongoing and have included genocide, forced removal, forced assimilation and the more contemporary systemic erasure of Native people through invisibility in education, media and pop culture…

See much more at Link to complete article here.

The Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) calls for congregations to “Research, identify, and acknowledge the Indigenous peoples historically and/or currently connected with the land occupied by congregations, and find ways to act in solidarity with or even partner with those Indigenous peoples.”

Please begin to do (or revisit) this work now, in the weeks leading up to the Harvest the Power Virtual Summit for Justice & Decolonization on November 19-22nd. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for program and schedule announcements.

Please also know that the UUA and Side With Love will be amplifying the livestream broadcast of the 50th National Day of Mourning in Plymouth, Massachusetts, organized by the United American Indians of New England, on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2020.

See much more at Link to complete article here.

Honoring the Life & Legacy of John Trudell

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A Free Virtual Event October 13th – 14th
More Information Here:1st Annual Gathering of Clear & Coherent Thought
(must have active membership & registration for Redthought.org

Join us for a unique Gathering Honoring the Life & Legacy of one of the Greatest Thinkers of Our Time John Trudell. Throughout the Gathering there will be many offereings of John’s work. Musical performances, speaking engagments, as well as a showing of the “Trudell” Documentary. Friends and relatives of John’s will be participating throughout offering testimony and sharing life experiences with John as well. Also there will be opportunities for our participants to engage and practice “Clear & Coherent Thought” with some exercises and courses that will supplement the live event. This was always a strong advocacy of John Trudell and as we Honor his life and legacy the intent is to practice it and potentially implement it into our lives during this gathering and going forward. Looking forward to all of the “Thinkers” that will be joining in our very unique event. Futher details will be provided and announced within the next couple weeks.

“The Condor and the Eagle” film screening and fundraiser for Tokitae Fund of Lummi Nation’s Lhaqtemish Foundation

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Join the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth, the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship and many other friends and allies as we come together virtually as people of faith and conscience to celebrate the Fall Equinox, watch this award-winning documentary, hear from the filmmakers & protagonists, and unite the faith community and allies in the movement for Indigenous rights and climate justice.
Even if you’ve already seen the film, join us again as we listen to the voices of Lummi Nation and Ponca Nations.
This day before the 50th Anniversary of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s arrival at Miami Seaquarium.  Doug and Jewell James will speak to the heart in a significant way about bringing  Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut (Tokitae) home.  This is not just about returning a whale to the wild.  It’s about recognizing and honoring Lummi “Schlangen” (life ways).  It’s about Truth and Reconciliation.  It’s about restoring and protecting the Salish Sea and all the lives that depend on Her.
 
And then, it’s about our future on this planet.
September 22nd • 6:30 pm
“Four Indigenous leaders embark on an extraordinary trans-continental adventure from the Canadian Boreal forests to deep into the heart of the Amazonian jungle to unite the peoples of North and South America and deepen the meaning of “Climate Justice”. The Condor & The Eagle documentary offers a glimpse into a developing spiritual renaissance as the film four protagonists learn from each other’s long legacy of resistance to colonialism and its extractive economy.”

Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery – Screening #2

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During the last two weeks people of conscience across the globe are speaking, and gathering together to address the pervasive oppression that has been a daily reality for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color for centuries. We know that the roots of these injustices go deep and are a part of the Code of Domination that we were fortunate to discuss last month with Steven Newcomb and his daughter Shawna Bluestar Newcomb.
We are grateful that you have registered for tomorrow’s gathering about Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery! Sunday, June 7th, from 12 noon – 2 pm PST we will screen the film The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code.  Following the film we’ll be joined by Washington State leaders working on dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery including Pat Rasmussen, Jonathan Neufeld, and Deb Cruz.  Each will offer a brief presentation followed by a Q & A session.
Learning Right Relations invites you to this Zoom meeting.  Please click on the link ahead of time; remembering that Zoom now requires that their software be updated May 30. 

Remember to invite others to register.  This film is not widely available.
We look forward to your presence at June’s first LRR Gathering.  Mark your calendar for a second film being shown Jun 21, 2020 at 1 pm: The Indian System.  Producer/Director Sheldon Wolfchild will be joining us to talk about the film and related on-going issues yet faced by the Dakota Tribes.