See the free showing of this important documentary film on challenges of justice for Indigenous People, on Sunday, July 24, at 4 pm, in person at the Fellowship building, 481 Zeandale Road, or on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/98994825313?pwd=U2dJSmY0TUc0eEdIRTVDeldBNVdkdz09.  The Zoom meeting ID is 989 9482 5313 and the pass code is 481502.   

All those interested from the UUFM congregation, the community area, and from anywhere on Zoom are invited to attend this 2019 documentary film created by the Anglican Church of Canada.  During its length of 1 hour and 6 minutes, it consists solely of in-depth interviews and discussions with Indigenous, Canadian residents.  All of them are tribal members who are lawyers, administrators, teachers, other professionals, laborers, elders, youth, mothers, fathers, and clergy.

They describe how their tribal ancestors have been, today’s tribal residents still are, and their descendants will be adversely affected in their daily lives by the Vatican Papal Bulls Doctrine of Discovery issued by Pope Alexander VI 500 years ago.  He ruled that all the lands they explored in the world without Christian people  were “empty lands” and that Indigenous inhabitants were “non-human.”

The ancient Doctrine of Discovery was the precursor to the eventual Manifest Destiny in 1845 which justified the US control of all land from the Atlantic to the Pacific.  Indigenous People were deprived of their original land by force and by colonial land treaties.  These treaties were often unfairly regulated and at times resulted in massacres and genocide as documented in historical records.

A discussion with participants will follow the film in person and on Zoom till 5:30 or longer with the option of departing when needed.  Discussion expanding on the film’s message and participants’ follow-up ideas are welcome.

The purpose of showing this documentary is to help provide education, understanding, and insight into the oppression brought to indigenous people.  It is also for the purpose of opening a path towards inter-racial harmony among all people regarding their human rights and their equitable legal rights. 

All are encouraged to attend this free program on Indigenous justice awareness and insights from Indigenous People for an improved world view of racial equality in life.