This weekend (May 23-24), a group of Episcopalians will make a pilgrimage to the Sand Creek Massacre Site in Colorado for a time of learning and reflection on the historical and ongoing impacts of colonial violence.

Participants will begin with an orientation and Circle Talk by Sarah Augustine, Executive Director of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, and Joe Hubbard, Organizer for the Episcopal Indigenous Justice Roundtable. Participants will learn about how the Doctrine of Discovery shaped federal and church policy for Indigenous land and child removal.

On Saturday, the group will meet at the Sand Creek Massacre Historical Monument, where Martin Dormish of Everyday Epics will lead the group through the massacre site. Participants will hear from Park Rangers about the historical developments of the massacre and from Indigenous elders and descendants of survivors about the present impact to Indigenous peoples of the policies that culminated in the massacre and persist to this day. The pilgrimage will conclude with a talking circle led by Sarah Augustine and a sending ceremony conducted by the elders.

This pilgrimage is an organizing effort by the Episcopal Church in Colorado and the Coalition to Dismantle’s Episcopal Indigenous Justice Roundtable. In coordination with the Episcopal Church’s Boarding School Commission, the Roundtable is organizing pilgrimages across the church to help Episcopalians draw the connection between the church’s role in the history of residential boarding schools and the ongoing impact of the Doctrine of Discovery on Indigenous communities, including the environmental degradation of Indigenous lands.

For more information, please contact Joe Hubbard at (334) 324-6364 or joe@dismantlediscovery.org.

About The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery:
The Coalition to Dismantle the DoD emerged from the Mennonite Church in 2014. We are a group of people who work together to mobilize Christian church communities to dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery and follow Indigenous leadership. We proclaim an Anabaptist spirit of discipleship rooted in the call to love of neighbor, seeking right relationship and reconciliation through active non-violence.

About the Episcopal Indigenous Justice Roundtable:
The Roundtable, which is made up of Episcopalians and Episcopal communities, congregations, and dioceses all across the United States, has committed to furthering the work of the Coalition to Dismantle for the self-determination of Indigenous lands and peoples. The Roundtable meets each month on the third Tuesday to learn about the needs of Indigenous land and water protectors across the U.S. and to coordinate resources in support.

About Everyday Epics:
Everyday Epics is a non-profit advocacy project run by Marrton Dormish, a non-denominational Christian minister serving the Broomfield and North Denver Metro area. Dormish offers two pilgrimage opportunities through this project: the Pilgrimage to Sand Creek a pilgrimage of reflection and lament, and Suburban Poverty Tours – pilgrimages “from below” which raise awareness of the often hidden realities faced by people living in the margins of suburbia.