By The Rev’d Canon Debbie Royals, Pascua Yaqui and Chaplain for the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery

On Sunday, May 17, there will be a national day of prayer at the National Mall in Washington, DC. This day is part of a series of America 250 celebrations that the United States government and other entities are planning to mark the anniversary of the United States.

We know that the United States was founded upon the Doctrine of Discovery. This doctrine is embedded within our laws and policies that attempted to erase Indigenous Peoples, and built an economy based on extraction instead of mutual wellbeing.

We must tell the truth to understand where we are today, and to rededicate ourselves to a different future. One in which we recognize our interdependence with each other and Mother Earth.

All are invited to join in a series of prayer vigils being live-streamed across Turtle Island by the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery from 11:30am-1:00pm, Sunday, May 17, in Saint Anne’s Center, to pray for true Jubilee—the return of stolen land—and a future beyond extractive empire.

Deacon Leah Sandwell-Weiss and I will lead a discussion about the work of the Coalition, followed by a prayer vigil. Light snacks will be served.