"We, the people, hold this truth to be self-evident, that all flourishing is mutual. As we recognize the 250th anniversary of our collective rejection of tyranny, let’s use the moment not only to look back, but toward the future, in which we want our grandchildren to live. That’s what good ancestors do! Let us declare independence from the short-sighted extractive world view that actively harms the homeland we love dearly.
"Celebrate instead a Declaration of Interdependence. I’m glad we have the Bill of individual rights, but what about a Bill of mutual responsibilities?" ~ Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Indigenous Relations Resources Group (IRRG) feels blessed coming out of our Annual Sessions this year. We sensed movement and strength in the Yearly Meeting body about taking action, moving beyond our Apology and our land acknowledgements towards strengthening relationships with our Indigenous neighbors both within and beyond the Northeast. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Fall Events Around our Region
Connect with our Indigenous neighbors! There are many wonderful events planned around the Northeast this fall. Here are a few that we know about.
September
September 6–7: Metaksonekiyak Community Days, 88 Bell Road, Littleton, Maine.
September 10, 7:30 to 9 p.m.: The St. Paul Center will host an online talk by Sarah Augustine, founder of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery and author of “The Land is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery.
September 12–13: Motahkomikuk Community Days at Peskotomuhkati Motahkomikuk, Indian Township (no link provided)
September 26: Harvard Powwow and Natick Praying Indians Powwow at Cochituate State Park,Natick
September 27, 4 to 6 p.m., online workshop: Towards Right Relationship with Native Peoples
September 30: Orange Shirt Day
October
October 1: Wabanaki Alliance Nihkaniyane: Let’s Go Forward Together Wolfe’s Neck Farm, Freeport
October 3: Nehantic Heritage Day (no link provided)
October 12, Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration, Wabanaki Alliance, Capitol Park, Augusta
October 17, 7:00 p.m.: Bear Grease Live, presented by Lightning Cloud at Collins Center for the Arts, Orono. Ticket info
November
November 27: National Day of Mourning