Doctrine of Discovery exhibit

Exhibit: Doctrine of Discovery
Reception Date and time: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, 7:30-9 p.m.
Location: Goshen College Good Library Gallery

The Goshen College Good Library Gallery will host a traveling historical exhibit to educate and raise awareness among Mennonites about the Doctrine of Discovery from Nov. 3-18, 2015. An opening reception will take place in the library gallery on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7:30-9 p.m.

The display has been prepared with this focus because it is a project of the Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Working Group of the Mennonite Church USA. However, the story these panels tell is a common one. Viewers of other backgrounds are encouraged to make connections to their own heritages.

This term “Doctrine of Discovery” refers to a set of 15th century Papal bulls that gave European nations the right to conquer Indigenous Peoples and take their land. The original structures of the laws that allowed this practice are still encoded in international economic laws and influence treatment of contemporary Indigenous Peoples. The gallery opening is 7:30 to 9 p.m. Guests Erica Littlewolf and Karin Kaufman Wall will be available for conversation and will provide a brief gallery talk at 8 p.m. Erica administers the Indigenous Vision Center, a program of Mennonite Central Committee Central States. Karin is the Peace and Justice Education staff person for MCC Central States.Note additional events on November 3 and 4.