Dinner and Dialogue:Natuve American Boarding Schools
March14, 2023
6:30 - 8:30 pm
In person or Zoom
Unraveling Colonialism
Studying the Native American Experience
Theme: "Don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story." Mark Twain
Our March gathering hosts guest speaker, Mary Raynard. Mary is a graduate of the Iliff School of Theology and member of a reparations group to the Lenape Native American Tribe for past atrocities perpetrated by the school. Mary shares her personal story related to the Indian Boarding Schools which are a result of her research while studying at Iliff. Mary brings her personal story about her Aunt, a teacher in the Native American boarding school system during the 1800's. She speaks authentically about her quest to understand how a 'good person' could participate in such an awful system. We will hear real examples of how colonization, cultural ideologies, and intent versus impact, play out in real life.
The evening includes a potluck (a Native American recipe for the main dish is provided by Diane and Gwen from the DEI Council and Unity). Please bring your favorite dish to share. We will also have time for debriefing and discussion.
ABOUT THIS SERIES
Awareness, education, action. During the six-month series: Unraveling Colonialism - Studying the Native American Experience, we introduce ways to be more aware of the impact of colonialism on our socialization culturally, and, very specifically, the atrocious way colonialism supports acts of land theft, laws that violate indigenous culture, methodical genocide, and other stories left out of traditional history.
The series provides opportunities for education beyond traditional history and ways to become more aware of the truth hidden behind the "good story" in order to humanize stories of individuals, and bring to life - and celebrate - the Spirit of the peoples who initially stewarded the land now called the United States of America.
This year we ask you to consider a monetary contribution to help us honor our guest speakers and to cover our operating expenses. With your support, we continue to offer programs that help us all become more aware of social justice issues and become better educated about our roles, and the barriers still in place to change. All with the intention of making better choices on how we act in our individual, interpersonal, institutional, and ideological interactions.
You may join in person or via ZOOM. If you join in person, you may bring your favorite dish to share and please arrive by 6:15 so that we may begin the meal at 6:30.
