Last month, we explored the Doctrine of Discovery, which is understood as having "created a theological framework that supported racism, colonialism, and the annihilation of Indigenous people" and which unfortunately continues to support those evils and injustices today (2021 Declaration).

Leading up to the 2016 Churchwide Assembly, a process was undertaken to develop a resolution for the ELCA to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery. Nineteen (19) synod assemblies passed the memorial to bring this resolution to the 2016 Churchwide Assembly for consideration of adopting.

In August 2016, the memorial was adopted by the Churchwide Assembly in a vote of 912 to 28. At that time, the Episcopal Church (USA) was the only other major denomination in the United States to have repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery since 2009. Since the ELCA's Repudiation, over 20 more faith communities in the USA and Canada have issued repudiations of their own.

ELCA Social Policy Resolution CA16.02.04 lists the 19 synods who brought forth the resolution "[t]o repudiate explicitly and clearly the European-derived doctrine of discovery as an example of the "improper mixing of the power of the church and the power of the sword" (Augsburg Confession, Article XXVIII, Latin text), and to acknowledge and repent from this church's complicity in the evils of colonialism in the Americas, which continue to harm tribal governments and individual tribal members." Read the full resolution for additional actions that this resolutions calls for.

In the Journal of Lutheran Ethic's March 2017 edition, two notable articles were published which speak to the Doctrine of Discovery and the ELCA's Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery. These articles were written by the Rev. Dr. George "Tink" Tinker and Vance Blackfox and offer invaluable insight and reflections from Indigenous perspectives.

A Task Force was commissioned in 2021 by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton with the charge of helping the Repudiation be realized throughout the ELCA. One of several efforts of the Task Force so far includes the development of the Declaration of the ELCA to American Indian and Alaska Native People which was adopted by the ELCA Church Council in September 2021. This declaration was then presented to the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

The World Council of Churches held a workshop at its 11th General Assembly in the summer of 2022 titled "Churches Beyond Borders: Healing From the Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery" which explored resources developed by four major denominations (including the ELCA) to support their repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery.

This Repudiation commits the ELCA to continuing to do the long, hard, ongoing "work of undoing those evils [of the Doctrine of Discovery], building right relationships with Native nations and Native peoples, and remaining faithful to our shared journeys toward truth and healing" (2021 Declaration). The NC Synod's Indigenous Learning Team looks forward to continuing this work in new ways beyond this yearlong initiative to learn the boarding school story and will keep you updated on what's next! We are grateful for you participation and invite you to connect with us and find ways to do this ongoing work of healing in your communities.

We invite you to carefully read

A Declaration of the ELCA to American Indian and Alaska Native People.

Then consider the following questions:

What stands out to you?

Where do you see opportunities for action for yourself and/or your congregation? 

Broken Lands is a podcast series bringing together the voices of Native Americans and settlers to reflect on the effects of treaty violation, the meaning of reparations, and the possibility of a future in which we live well together.

Broken Lands was inspired by the Duluth Reparations offered by the Northeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe in the amount of $185400 + $100 + $1100. This gift was made in an effort to begin repairing the relationships that have been damaged and trust that has been breached. The amount of the gift was chosen to acknowledge the treaties of 1854, 1855, and 1866; treaties that outline rights, responsibilities and obligations for all of us who live together here in Northeastern Minnesota on these broken lands.

Would you open your heart to consider the experiences of the true original native Americans?

How the very fabric of this country was forcefully unwoven and how these loose ends continue to fray to this day because of the careless inaction and the disregard for Gods creation. The beauty is preserved in this man's writings and teachings. The generations that remain on and enrich these lands are a worthy and entitled people that deserve our acknowledgment and healing. That will not happen if they continue to go through this alone. 

Connect to your own community. Find out whose ancestral lands are you living on at native-land.ca. Discover your Indigenous siblings and neighbors and visit the cultural museums and community events that they may have to offer. Offer to host one in your congregation and community. 

Theological Reflections on the Doctrine of Discovery

1. In 2016, the churchwide assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America moved to clearly repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and to “acknowledge and repent” from its complicity in the evils of colonialism in the Americas. The body also required the church to take action, including healing ceremonies, the production of resources for congregations, and developing ways to fund ministry with Native people. There was wide support for the proclamation. 

What steps has your congregation taken to facilitate healing and reconciliation with nearby indigenous communities? 

2. To what extend was the Doctrine of Discovery motivated by greed and corruption within the church? Are there parallels in scripture that illustrate the destructive power of greed and corruption by those in power? 

3. Scripture teaches us that faith without works is meaningless. When considering the matter of reconciliation with native people, are Christians just talking a good game or are we putting verbs in our sentences, and doing what our faith tells us to do? 

Explore video resources on the Doctrine of Discovery that have been prepared by our Episcopal siblings in the faith. We especially encourage you to watch the video entitled "Native Voices: Speaking to the Church and the World."

Watch this video from the Christian Action Commission for a brief explanation of the Doctrine of Discovery and its impact in the United States.

Consider this interesting perspective from a July 2022 article.

View and download a flier with shareable information about this coalition.

Explore the history of the Doctrine of Discovery and ongoing resources related to Repudiations of the Doctrine of Discovery, especially Mother Earth's Pandemic.