S02E07: Exploring the Doctrine of Discovery, Indigenous Struggles, and the Pursuit of Balance Part 1 with Oren Lyons

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Introduction

We begin this episode with a land acknowledgement.

Show Notes

This episode is an engaging conversation with Onondaga Nation Turtle Clan Faithkeeper Oren Lyons, a stalwart in Indigenous, environmental, and human rights initiatives. We traverse the terrain of Indigenous rights, the Doctrine of Discovery, and The Haudenosaunee’s pivotal role at the United Nations.

Faithkeeper Lyons tells the story of several pivotal collaborations for Indigenous rights. He navigates us through the terrain of his personal struggles and the impactful moments in the fight for Indigenous rights. One such moment we delve into is the occupation of Alcatraz Island and the acts of courage that illuminated the path for future struggles.

As we dig deeper, Faithkeeper Lyons opens up about his efforts toward Indigenous rights legislation and the numerous events he helped organize. His journey, fueled by the unwavering support from traditional Indigenous leaders, is a testament to resilience. You’ll be left with a profound understanding of Indigenous struggles and the lasting impact of the Doctrine of Discovery. Tune in for an enlightening and thought-provoking episode with Oren Lyons. Faithkeeper Lyons highlights the importance of collaboration and unity among Indigenous peoples in this episode. He reflects on the conditions of Native Americans since the 1800s, how they were treated, how they are being treated today, and how this shaped his view of the world. His journey, coupled with the unwavering support of various individuals and organizations, has illuminated the path for future struggles.

This podcast episode provides a thought-provoking look at Indigenous rights and the history of Indigenous peoples, offering a platform for critical conversations on these topics. By sharing the struggles and victories of Indigenous peoples, it aims to foster understanding, empathy, and action toward achieving justice for Indigenous nations.

Faithkeeper Oren Lyons invites us to reflect on the resilience and tenacity of Indigenous peoples in the face of adversity. He underscores the importance of acknowledging and respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and provides a call to action for all of us to support these communities in their ongoing fight for justice and recognition.

Resources

• Works by Oren Lyons
  • Value Change for Survival - PDF
  • Exiled in the land of the free : democracy, the Indian nations, and the U.S. Constitution, (Clear Light Publishers, Santa Fe, 1992)
  • “The Ice is Melting in the North”
  • Sean Kirst: ‘It put us in a terrible bind’: Six Nations elder Oren Lyons on church ‘Doctrine of Discovery’
• Philip P. Arnold and Sandra Bigtree, “Ten Religious Themes of the Doctrine of Christian Discovery (DoCD) that Contrast with Indigenous Values,” Doctrine of Discovery Project (26 September 2022), https://doctrineofdiscovery.org/10-religous-dimensions/.
• Philip P. Arnold, _The Urgency of Indigenous Values, (Syracuse: SU Press, 2023 (Forthcoming)), https://press.syr.edu/supressbooks/5835/urgency-of-indigenous-values-the/

Credits

• Music: Onondaga Social Dance songs performed by Orris Edwards and Regis Cook
• Producers: Jordan Loewen-Colón and Adam DJ Brett
• Show notes: Adam DJ Brett

Citation

Philip P. Arnold and Sandra Bigtree, “S02E07: Exploring the Doctrine of Discovery, Indigenous Struggles, and the Pursuit of Balance Part 1,” Mapping the Doctrine of Discovery (Podcast), August 10, 2023. https://podcast.doctrineofdiscovery.org/season2/episode-07/.