Stealing the Earth Part 2: “Whose Land?” The Doctrinal Legitimization and Theft of the People’s Land

WebinarRacial JusticePalestinian Liberation

Oct 14

Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA), the Native American International Caucus (NAIC), and United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR) present a five-part webinar series: Stealing the Earth: The Conquering of Indigenous People, the Role of Christianity, and What Can Bring about Justice.

This is part two of a five-part discussion of the “Doctrine of Discovery,” a theological and legal concept that has legitimized the seizure of indigenous people's lands by those from so-called Christian nations. We will first discuss its impact in North America and then broaden our inquiry to Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Further sessions will delve into the impact of the ownership of land, the power of narrative, white normativity, and the theological basis to respond, repair, and repent.

Our second session session is presented by Rev. Dr. George ("Tink") Tinker and Jonathon Brenneman.

Tink Tinker, a citizen of the Osage Nation (wazhazhe), is Emeritus Professor of American Indian Studies at Iliff School of Theology and author. During his 33 years at Iliff, Dr. Tinker brought a distinctly Indian perspective to a predominantly White, euro-christian school and continues to do so in lectures across the continent. As an Indian academic Tinker is committed to a scholarly endeavor that takes seriously both the liberation of Indian peoples from their historic oppression as colonized communities and the liberation of White Americans, the historic colonizers and oppressors of Indian peoples, whose own history has been largely suppressed. For nearly three decades he volunteered both administratively and as a traditional spiritual leader at Four Winds American Indian Council in Denver and worked closely with the American Indian Movement of Colorado. His publications include: American Indian Liberation: A Theology of Sovereignty (Orbis, 2008); Spirit and Resistance: American Indian Liberation and Political Theology (Fortress, 2004); Missionary Conquest: The Gospel and Native American Genocide (Fortress Press, 1993); and co-editor of Native Voices: American Indian Sovereignty and Identity (University of Kansas, 2003). He has published nearly a hundred journal articles and chapters for edited volumes.

Jonathan Brenneman is a Palestinian-American Christian who grew up in the Great Lakes watershed, St. Marys, Ohio (traditional Shawnee land). Jonathan was a frontline activist of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) Palestine project in Hebron/Al-Khalil from 2012 to 2014. After his time with CPT he completed a Masters at the University of Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. That program included a six-month internship in Cape Town, South Africa fighting for more just land policies. Jonathan was the Israel/Palestine Partners in Peacemaking Coordinator for Mennonite Church USA, where he facilitated the writing, passing, and implementation of the Seeking Peace in Israel and Palestine Resolution. Jonathan continues to work for Palestinian liberation through connecting the Palestinian decolonial struggle with those of other indigenous peoples, and challenging theologies of domination.