Mapping the Doctrine of Discovery

By: The Doctrine of Discovery Project
  • Summary

  • We launch this Podcast with Columbus’ arrival to the “New World.” This event issued forth the “Age of Discovery.” Although we were taught Columbus was in search of spices, he was actually sailing under 15th century Papal edicts known as the Doctrines of Christian Discovery [DOCD]. Following the fall of Constantinople, these Papal Bulls were issued to legitimate Portugal’s exploits in extracting gold in West Africa and capturing slaves. By 1492, the Transatlantic slave trade began with Columbus’ first crossing. The DOCD established the spiritual justification to bring the world under total dominion of the Church. The patriarchal hierarchy was constituted under an Almighty Supreme God at the helm—thus giving the Church full access to the world’s resources, by having dominion over Indigenous Peoples, their lands, and destruction of their cultures. These Christian decrees soon became the legal principal used during the Protestant Reformation, by giving credence to any Protestant claim to Indigenous lands in the Americas. By 1823, the DOCD was codified into US property law by the Supreme Court in Johnson v M’Intosh. As recently as 2005, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg upheld the DOCD in her written majority opinion against the Oneida in; City of Sherrill v Oneida Nation. Following 15th century Christian imperialism, through to the 19th century formulation of US law, we are able to identify today, how the DOCD continues to be utilized all over the world by multi-national corporations. Corporations who continue to justify resource extraction through the seizure and destruction of Indigenous lands, and who perpetrate cultural genocide through the 15th century fiction of “terra nullius”—empty land, and under the guise of economic development. The goal of this Podcast is to help identify these systems of domination that have been sustained by greed and power, through the subjugation of human beings and the natural world. https://podcast.doctrineofdiscovery.org/
    © 2024 Mapping the Doctrine of Discovery Podcast presented by Indigenous Values Initiative and American Indian Law Alliance
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Episodes
  • S05E04: Unveiling the Doctrine of Discovery: Historical Injustice and Pathways to Healing
    Nov 15 2024

    Uncover the often overlooked yet deeply influential Doctrine of Discovery with us, as we bring political science instructor and former Congressional candidate Steve Schwartzberg to the table. Join us to explore how this doctrine, woven into the fabric of U.S. history, continues to impact Indigenous peoples today. Steve shares his insights, drawing from influential thinkers like Steve Newcomb and Peter Dorico, to expose the historical context and the enduring injustices perpetuated by figures such as Chief Justice John Marshall. We also shine a light on Steve's 2018 Congressional campaign and his advocacy for crucial issues like Medicare for All and tribal sovereignty, providing an intimate glimpse into his motivations and vision for change.

    We navigate the complex interplay between Christian theology and Indigenous rights, challenging the exclusionary practices rooted in the Doctrine of Discovery. By examining historical figures like Sepulveda, we reveal how religious rhetoric has been manipulated to justify oppression and violence. Our conversation is enriched by Indigenous perspectives on divinity and interconnectedness, offering a powerful counter-narrative to hierarchical religious constructs. This exploration invites listeners to reassess the impact of these doctrines on modern secular hierarchies and nationalism, urging a critical examination of the legacies that shape our world today.

    In a poignant conclusion, we turn to the transformative power of grief, inspired by the Onondaga Nation's practices. Embracing grief as a pathway to healing, we discuss how acknowledging historical injustices can foster genuine relationships and understanding. The episode culminates in a reflection on the manipulation of history and the enduring myths surrounding figures like Columbus, highlighting the necessity of moving from guilt to love and interconnectedness. Through these rich discussions, we invite you to confront historical injustices and explore pathways to reconciliation, offering hope for a more inclusive and understanding future.

    Support the show

    View the transcript and show notes at podcast.doctrineofdiscovery.org. Learn more about the Doctrine of Discovery on our site DoctrineofDiscovery.org.

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    53 mins
  • Reclaiming Faith: Dismantling White Christian Supremacy and Healing Through Indigenous Spirituality
    Nov 13 2024

    What if the very religion that oppressed your ancestors could also be your path to liberation? Join us as we engage with Soulforce's representatives—Reverend Alba Onofrio, Nadia Arellano, and Karina Vargas—in a powerful conversation about dismantling white Christian supremacy and Christian nationalism. We share insights from a recent gathering at Syracuse University, highlighting the crucial role of community and continuous dialogue in tackling these urgent issues.

    Our journey doesn't stop there. We explore the intricate relationship between Christianity and Indigenous spirituality, examining how faith, once a tool of colonialism, can now be reclaimed for healing and empowerment. I, a queer Christian minister immersed in earth-based healing practices, share my personal reconciliation with Christianity's historical harms. Together, we dissect the Doctrine of Discovery and its ongoing impact, addressing the spiritual violence perpetuated by religious institutions and the generational trauma that still lingers.

    We also shed light on efforts to reclaim Indigenous food and healing practices as acts of resistance against Christian supremacy. By reconnecting with our ancestral ways through conscious choices and daily acts of disobedience, we find paths to wholeness and cultural reclamation. Discover how movements like eco-spirituality and feminist theology are paving the way for a more inclusive and respectful approach to spirituality, honoring the diverse traditions that shape our world. Join us for this enlightening episode and uncover how we can collectively heal and dismantle oppressive systems.

    Support the show

    View the transcript and show notes at podcast.doctrineofdiscovery.org. Learn more about the Doctrine of Discovery on our site DoctrineofDiscovery.org.

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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • S05E02: Exploring the Legacy of Vine Deloria Jr. on Native American Thought with Philip Deloria
    Sep 10 2024

    Discover the transformative power of Native American thought and religious studies in our conversation with the esteemed Philip Deloria. Learn about the profound legacy of Vine Deloria Jr., whose influential works like God is Red have shaped the academic and theological landscapes. As we uncover the Deloria family's rich heritage of Indigenous advocacy, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how these experiences have informed their unique contributions to theology and Native American Studies.

    Explore the intricate dynamics between Native American communities and Christianity as we reflect on Vine Deloria Jr.'s provocative texts Custer Died for Your Sins and his subsequent disillusionment with Christianity that led to God Is Red. Through these discussions, we highlight the enduring impact of colonialism and the resurgence of indigenous practices in contemporary Native life.

    Unpack the unsettling phenomenon of "playing Indian" in both American and European contexts, exploring historical and contemporary examples from the Boston Tea Party to modern New Age movements. We also discuss the critical role of oral tradition and indigenous knowledge, emphasizing their dynamic nature. This episode provides valuable insights into the current trends in Native Studies, the intersection of indigenous rights with modern political movements, and the transformative potential of indigenous sovereignty and diplomacy. Join us for a thought-provoking and enlightening discussion with Philip Deloria.

    Support the show

    View the transcript and show notes at podcast.doctrineofdiscovery.org. Learn more about the Doctrine of Discovery on our site DoctrineofDiscovery.org.

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    1 hr and 18 mins

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Great Regard for Davíd Carrasco and Charles Long

This Podacast is EXTRAORDINARY for how it opens our souls and minds to the importance of the understanding the Doctrine of Discovery. Carrasco and Long taught us to have Great Regard for those who Eliade called on us to unite with in a Movement towards a New Humanism. This Podcast changes my life because it clarifies who I am as a person who left Academia to enable the Maya to teach me who they are as a People, a Nation of Indigenous Americans. This conversation should be listened all those who study all of us who live in this struggle to re-form and re-shape the True Story of the Conquest, Colonization, and continued Settlement of Native American lands. This is a vital conversation as are all of these life transfor.ing podcasts of Sandy Bigtree and Phil Arnold on the Doctrine of Christian Discovery and the brutal aftermath we all continue to live in these Américas. The wisdom and genius of Davíd Carrasco is unparalleled in their being articulated in straightforward human ways. I am grateful for this work you are bringing for through these conversation. I hope they will be listened to by many others.

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This Information Needs To Hit the Mainstream Media

The Doctrine of Discovery is an extremely important but convoluted part of the History of not only the United States, but any people group that was touched by European Conquest and the "Age of Discovery"! The Information in this podcast is at the 30,000 ft level, so I am excited to get deeper into the series to uncover the depths and the Unsettling Nature of the Doctrine and all the Ideas that have roots in the Doctrine. Conquest, Manifest Destiny, Westward Expansion, Eurocentrism, White Supremacy, and now Christian Nationalism are all byproducts of the Doctrine and all have deep ties to the Doctrine of Discovery! The US Founding Documents (Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) all have certain elements of Christian Discovery and are full of the byproducts of this distorted worldview. The biggest challenge in all of this is that once you are familiar with the elements of Discovery you see how embedded it is and how interwoven throughout Western Culture, Socially, Politically, Physiologically, and even Religiously, and until you are acquainted with The Subtle Elements, you are completely blind and ignorant of the real world impact it has on most Indigenous and Minority Communities to this day! Thank You For This Podcast!

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