“The Doctrine of Discovery, Unmasking the Domination Codes” – A Film

October 17, 6:30-8:00pm

$12 preregistered/prepaid.

“The Doctrine of Discovery, Unmasking the Domination Codes” is a film showing us that the papal decrees of 1452, 1453 and 1455 authorized the tragic global momentum of domination and dehumanization of “heathen” countries and peoples. It sanctioned enslavement of Africa by Europeans, and influences court rulings even in today’s US legal system. The film concludes with traditional teachings that provide a much needed alternative for human relationships and the care of ecological systems.

This film comes from Pagans in the Promised Land: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery, a book based on two decades of research by Shawnee, Lenape scholar Steven T. Newcomb. It includes the trip to Rome by a group of indigenous students from St. Paul, MN, to ask Pope Francis to rescind the Doctrine of Discovery.

A call comes from Native American writer Steve Newcomb, to bring that system of colonialism to an end and to move away from a cultural and spiritual tradition of subjugation. This call proposes that non-native people unite in solidarity with indigenous people to rescind these unjust decrees.

Facilitator, Dorothea Hrossowyc, MA, RMPA, ABMP, from Northfield, MN, has a full time private practice in holistic therapy, including body, mind, spirit and emotions. She has also been a facilitator and trainer around race, class and gender issues, promoting discussion and understanding of diversity, immigration, and support for low income families.