FAIN and JUUstice Washington will be joining the Native American Connections Committee of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship at GA this year with a workshop entitled “Truth and Reconciliation-Healing the Past and Looking Forward.” We will have the honor and pleasure of bringing with us, Shirley Williams, Lummi Nation member and co-founder of Whiteswan Environmental and Shirley Hardman, Senior Advisor on Indigenous Affairs at the University of Fraser Valley, British Columbia. Check here to review the Resource List for the workshop and here to see what’s been happening with UU Congregations and organizations and allies to support the basis for the Truth and Reconciliation.
In addition to our workshop, there are at least 4 programs and 4 other workshops related to Indigenous communities that will be offered at GA. We’re hoping to have 3 of those workshops (including ours) scheduled on the same day at different times to help with the continuity of presenting the issues of Indian Country.
See below for the details on these events and activities.
Keep checking back as we will post updates within this page and with additional posts at the bottom of this page–More information is coming! Here is a PDF version and a JPEG version.
Thursday, June 20th
#263-Truth and Reconciliation
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Convention Center Conference Theater
Sponsored by BUF NACC, Whiteswan Environment, University of Fraser Valley and JUUstice Washington.
Truth and Reconciliation is a movement bringing together indigenous and non-indigenous communities to engage in dialogues and actions that strive to heal trauma, address inequities, and restore, protect and preserve indigenous lifeways. It is a multifaceted movement that addresses many intersectional issues, while working to dismantle white privilege and domination. Speakers include:
- Shirley Williams, Lummi Nation and Exec Director of Whiteswan Environmental
- Beth Brownfield, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
- Shirley Hardman, Senior Advisor on Indigenous Affairs of UofFraser Valley, BC Canada
- Deborah Cruz, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship and JUUstice Washington
#254-Indigenous Experience and Unitarian Universalism
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. DoubleTree Grand Ballroom I-III
Sponsored by Rev. Karen Brammer UUA Green Sanctuary Program.
Indigenous perspectives on being UU. This will be a panel of indigenous UU people sharing their experiences within UU contexts, including the need for decolonization. There will be time for questions and reflections. Speakers include Rev. Dr. Clyde Grubbs, Rev. Gary McAlpin, Kia Bodner and Rev. Dr. Maria Cristina Vlassidis Burgoa.
#234-Decolonizing Unitarian Universalism in our Congregations and Association
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. DoubleTree Grand Ballroom I-III
Sponsored by UUA Green Sanctuary Program
What is colonialism? How does it affect us all? How do we decolonizeand build communities with life affirming values? People who have limited or no experience in community with Indigenous people can understand and be present in better ways as collaborators and UUs. Stories, presentations and group work.
Saturday, June 22nd
#425 – The Power of We: Succeeding Through Partnerships
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. DoubleTree Grand Ballroom IV
Sponsored by UUSC
Enhancing the ‘power of we’ must always be centered on the voices and leadership of those most affected by social injustices. This workshop will focus on UUSC’s partnership approach as a model for advancing UU values and human rights, highlighting UUSC’s partnerships with First and Indigenous Peoples. Speakers include Dr. John Pingayak, Bob Stilger, Salote Soqo and Gina Collignon.
#417-Who Are We? The 2020 Challenge
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. DoubleTree Grand Ballroom I-III
Sponsored by the The 2020 Task Force
Join the visionaries. The year 2020 includes the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the 400th anniversary of Plymouth colonization. What’s the message in your congregation? Native Americans and environmental justice advocates discuss the challenges ahead as they bring communities together to celebrate justice, peace, and beauty for all nations. Speakers include Rev. Dr. Clyde Grubbs, Rev. Gary McAlpin, Rev. Karen Brammer and Aly Tharp.