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Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change: Toward Right Relationship with Native Peoples

  • Boulder Public Library, Meadows Branch 4800 Baseline Road Boulder, CO, 80303 United States (map)

What would right relationship among Native and non-Native peoples of North America look like? How can we begin to take steps in that direction for our community?

Join us for this unique, experiential workshop. We will trace the historic roots of injustice towards native peoples focusing on the 15th century 'Doctrine of Discovery', and explore the seeds of change embodied in the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. How can we nurture these seeds to bring forth the fruits of right relationship among Native and non-Native peoples?

The Toward Right Relationship Project offers this workshop in response to calls from Indigenous leaders at the United Nations and the World Council of Churches. Our goal is to raise our level of knowledge and concern about the historic and ongoing impacts of more than 500 years of genocide, colonization, and forced assimilation of Native peoples, recognize those impacts in ourselves and our institutions, and explore how we can begin to take actions toward “right relationship." We will provide a Resource Kit with suggestions for continued study, reflection, and action.

There is a $15 entry fee. ALL PROCEEDS go directly to the facilitating organization, Toward Right Relationship Project. You can learn more about the organization and the workshop at https://friendspeaceteams.org/trr/

**There is limited seating and tickets will likely sell out - please reserve your spot early to secure your attendance.

“This workshop is an innovative and impactful step towards healing. Working with the truth that has never been told about the American myth is vital to us to move forward in a more healthy way. ” - Brett Shelton (Oglala Sioux Tribe), Attorney, Native American Rights Fund

“Like everyone else I ask, I did not know about the Doctrine of Discovery. The workshop was an amazing experience that I expect to remember till my dying day. The mix of clear statements, together with the experiential learning, sent those lessons deep into my understanding.” - Jim Grant, Acadiana Friends Meeting, Louisiana

"This program brought up emotions that I haven’t let myself feel for a while. Now I am ready for action and my mind is spinning with ideas.” - Nico Larson, Naropa University

Workshop Presenters:

Paula Palmer is a sociologist, writer, and activist for human rights, social justice, and environmental protection. In collaboration with Native American advisors, she created the Toward Right Relationship workshops titled, “Roots of Injustice, Seeds of Change: Toward Right Relationship with America’s Native Peoples” (for adults) and “Re- Discovering America: Understanding Colonization” (for middle schools and high schools). As executive director of the non-profit organization, Global Response, Paula directed over 70 international campaigns to help Indigenous peoples defend their rights and prevent environmental destruction. In Costa Rica, where she lived for 20 years, she published five books of oral history in collaboration with Afro-Caribbean and Bribri Indigenous peoples. She is a recipient of the Elise Boulding Peacemaker of the Year Award (given by the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center), the Jack Gore Memorial Peace Award (given by the American Friends Service Committee), and the International Human Rights Award (given by the United Nations Association of Boulder County).

Jerilyn DeCoteau, Turtle Mountain Chippewa, is an attorney, educator, and advocate for Native peoples’ rights. She is currently Chief Justice for the Pueblo of San Ildefonso Supreme Court and does consulting on issues of tribal governance and capacity building. As a lawyer with the Native American Rights Fund and other organizations, she pressed for the rights of Indian tribes to govern themselves, control their resources and insure human rights for their members. Jerilyn received the Boulder County Multicultural Award for Government 2002. She is a founding member and past president of the board of directors of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. She offers public presentations on the history and legacy of the Indian boarding schools and multigenerational trauma. She worked to establish Indigenous Peoples Day in the City of Boulder and is a founding member and co-coordinator of Right Relationship Boulder.

This workshop is hosted/organized by the Boulder Healing Hub, LLC

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