Your Fall Edition of Earth News

EARTH: Earth Action, Reflection, Theology, and Hope Indigenous Voices For Environmental Justice United Nations Academic Impact features young activists taking the world’s most pressing issues into their own hands. UNAI states on the UN website, “Indigenous peoples have been among the first on the planet to face the consequences of climate change, due to their close relationship with nature and resources. Climate change exacerbates the difficulties already faced by Indigenous communities including political and economic marginalization, loss of land and resources, human rights violations, discrimination and unemployment. However, their plights have not always been met with sufficient attention from the rest of the world.” In this edition of Earth News, we draw attention to how Indigenous People are honoring the land while demanding a seat at the table if and when the world addresses climate change and other environmental issues. The Apostle Paul writes, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8: 22-23) Let’s all listen to the often marginalized voices that groan together. Eric Diekhans Editor On the Swamp In 2018, Hurricane Florence hit Robeson County, North Carolina, the homeland of the Lumbee Tribe. Tribal member Ryan E. Emanuel’s new book exposes how climate change and environmental racism led to devastating consequences for the land and its people. Read More Honoring First People Too often, European conquerors write the history of a country. Performing a land acknowledgment is a first step in correcting history and is a way to understand and honor the Indigenous People who called the land their home. Read More Harmony Through Food During a trip to Kenya, Mindy Hidenfelter discovered the delicious joy of traditional dishes that were created in harmony with the environment. Read More Land Back!  Dr. Dan Wildcat, a Yuchi member of the Muskogee Nation of Oklahoma, invites us to put our ear to the ground and listen to the land and its indigenous people as a first step in pursuing restorative justice for the earth. Read More Gratitude for Spirit and Space At the Center for JOY We give gratitude to the Universe for this Place. We honor those who lived, shared breath, and walked in this Space, We honor earth’s creatures — fox, coyote, muskrat, bison, cougar, deer, frog, otter, owl, hawk, firefly. We honor the Native tribes for whom the land and water were life itself — the Missouri, the Iowa, Sac and Fox, the Kickapoo and Potawatomi… We are grateful for… local and global Neighbors, Friends, Soul-journers, And the Spirit which dwells within, around and among us all. This reflection of Gratitude is taken  from the Center for JOY — Justice, Outreach and Yoga, A New Worshiping Community in Heartland Presbytery, St. Joseph, MO.   Our mission includes deep appreciation and advocacy for  Cosmos/Creation.

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