Judith Pilla of Radnor Monthly Meeting has published a letter to the editor in the December 23 Philadelphia Inquirer following a trip to Washington, DC, to lobby lawmakers on the importance of preserving the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits. The lobby visit was part of Friends Committee on National Legislation’s recent Annual Meeting and Lobby Day a few weeks ago. The Farm Bill, which included language preserving a more comprehensive set of SNAP benefits, passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives following lobby efforts by Friends and other like-minded folks. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting had one of the very largest delegations to FCNL’s lobby day and Annual Meeting. For more information on FCNL, please visit fcnl.org. The text of Judith’s letter to the editor is below: [Read more…] about Food Stamps End Poverty: Letter to the Editor published
Peace & Social Justice
“Love Knows No Borders” Witness
Join the Call for Migrant Justice!
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) is partnering with American Friends Service Committee (ASFC) to stand in solidarity with the asylum seekers, the migrant caravan, and all who seek refuge in the US. Faith leaders and communities around the country will take part in AFSC “Love Knows No Borders” days of action which begin on December 10, 2018 (International Human Rights Day) through December 18 (International Migrants’ Day). In the PYM community, Young Adult Friends have lifted up the concern about immigrant justice and AFSC has been present at the US-Mexico border in recent weeks. We are called as a faith community to be present to this issue.
“Together, we are calling on the U.S. to end the detention and deportation of immigrants, respect the human right to migrate, and end the militarization of the border.” – AFSC website.
Days of Action: December 10-18, 2018. All are welcome!
There will be a daily vigil at Friends Center in Philadelphia on Monday-Friday, December 10-13, and Monday and Tuesday, December 17 &18. All are welcome to gather from 12:00-12:15pm for worship to hold in prayer the asylum seekers and those called to witness at the border.
Following the vigil on December 14 at 12:00pm, we will walk from Friends Center to the Thomas Paine Plaza at City Hall and stand in support of the migrants. We will proceed to the historic Arch Street Meeting House where we will have open discussion and worship, which will end by 2:00pm. Please join us for any part of this witness that afternoon.
Resources for Organizing
This is a great opportunity to organize a local event, and AFSC has created a “toolkit” for ideas and resources on how to do this as a meeting, individual or group.
For more information: “Love Knows No Borders”: https://migrantjustice.afsc.org/
Toolkit: https://migrantjustice.afsc.org/sites/default/files/Caravan-Solidarity-Action-Toolkit-11-30b.pdf
Friday at FCNL – Tools for 400 Quaker Lobbyists
Thanks to training by Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), several hundred more Quakers are now well-prepared for lobbying congress. Yesterday and today, FCNL held its Public Policy Institute in advance of the annual FCNL meeting, providing visiting Friends all the tools they need to effectively meet with congressional representatives and senators. [Read more…] about Friday at FCNL – Tools for 400 Quaker Lobbyists
Friends Convene in Washington to Lobby for Bipartisan Legislation with FCNL
As Quakers from across the United States descended on the capital today, the density of the Quaker population increased significantly in Washington, DC. Friends came to the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) to talk about faith and witness, sharing their Quaker beliefs and work in support of civic society. [Read more…] about Friends Convene in Washington to Lobby for Bipartisan Legislation with FCNL
Appreciation of Public Service
Friends have been in relationship with the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation; we celebrate with them upon hearing Chief Gould’s message of gratitude (PYM News “Public Statement of Gratitude” posted 11.15.2018.) In addition to the multitude of media releases, direct word is shared by NJ State Attorney General Grewal, who “Announces Settlement of Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Lawsuits”
This author’s elders’ instructions are to be humble and grateful; Friend Parker Palmer urges us to find the growing edges and acknowledge commonalities; during civil discourse, FCNL demonstrates expressing sincere thanks. Might Friends join First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative members in finding the following resources helpful toward expressing (rightly ordered) appreciation of public service to NJ Phil Murphy, and NJ Attorney General, Gurbir S. Grewal.
Appreciating FCNL
The Quaker Life Council on behalf of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting approved on 11.17.18 the following minute of appreciation for Friends Committee on National Legislation.
Minute of Appreciation to Recognize the 75th Anniversary of The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
Gwynedd Monthly Meeting would like to express its heartfelt appreciation for the 75 years of prayerful attention the Friends Committee on National Legislation has given to furthering Friends testimonies in national policy concerns. Since the beginning, staff and supporters around the country have lobbied Congress to advance the causes of peace and justice. [Read more…] about Appreciating FCNL
Public Statement of Gratitude
Many people affiliated with PhYM have been aware of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation’s lawsuit, against the state of NJ, toward “reaffirmation.” This Friend, ascribed by the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe as “extended family,” member of PhYM First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative and Salem Quarter Indian Affairs Committee, joyfully shares the following words from Chief Gould; his “Public Statement of Gratitude By the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation Upon Resolution of its Long-Standing Civil Rights Litigation Against the Attorney General of New Jersey, November 15, 2018.”
Dear Tribal Members:
I write with joyous news.
As you well know, the state of New Jersey officially recognized the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation as an American Indian tribe thirty-six years ago, in 1982. State recognition is important to tribes because it affirms that our people and culture are both part of the story of humanity’s shared past and that we are present and valued in the modern world. State recognition also provides opportunities for tribes to advance our communities’ wellbeing through access to essential federal grants for health, education, and workforce development, and by certifying our traditional arts and crafts as Indian-made.
In 2012, members of former New Jersey Governor’s Chris Christie’s administration acted to undermine our state recognition, causing our Tribe significant harm. State officials acted based on racial stereotypes about Indian tribes and gambling. Our Tribe is one of many that prohibits gambling as a source of our livelihood. We had no choice but to sue the state in federal and state courts alleging violations of the Tribe’s rights under the United States and New Jersey Constitutions.
We are pleased that after six years of preparing for and conducting litigation against his office the new Attorney General of New Jersey has settled our legal claims. He has reaffirmed, in no uncertain terms, that New Jersey has indeed formally recognized the Tribe since 1982 and that the state reaffirmed that official recognition in multiple independently valid ways throughout the subsequent thirty-six years. Further, the Attorney General withdraws and nullifies any prior statements questioning the Tribe’s recognition status. In addition, the state is required to send letters to every relevant state and federal agency affirming our long-standing recognition. Also, the state will compensate the Tribe for a portion of our significant economic losses suffered by our tribal government contracting company during this battle, which will be used to both restore the company for the betterment of our tribe’s economic future and also to fund goals set in our previously approved tribal strategic plan.
Beyond our Tribe, this outcome has significant implications throughout Indian Country. The two other state-recognized tribes in New Jersey whose status was undermined will likely have their recognition reaffirmed through separate agreements in the near future. And tens of thousands of members of the more than sixty state-recognized tribes in other states may rest more easily. This settlement establishes that states may not retroactively undermine tribal recognition by violating a tribe’s rights to due process and equal protection of the laws.
We will immediately begin to reinvigorate cultural and community-building efforts for our people, hand-in-hand with partners old and new. We will be aided in this effort through the continuing assistance of our legal and policy counsel at Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC, and with the prayers and support of neighbors near and far.
We hope and believe that this resolution will set the stage for the restoration of a positive, mutually respectful, and collaborative relationship between the Tribe, the State of New Jersey, and the government of the United States.
The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation gives thanks the Creator for his blessings. We also express our profound gratitude to the following people and institutions whose efforts made this day possible:
*Our Tribal elders, who fought for recognition decades ago, and who mustered the strength to fight for its restoration in their twilight years.
*For their tireless and skillful efforts over six years to defend our civil rights, our legal counsel: Greg Werkheiser and Eden Burgess and their colleagues at the firm of Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC, and Mr. Frank Corrado and his colleagues at the firm Barry, Corrado & Grassi, PC.
*For filing court briefs in support of our cause as Amici Curiae(Friends of the Court): The National Congress of American Indians, The Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes, The Indian Law Resource Center, the Salem Quarterly Meeting of the Society of Friends, The Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church, and these parties’ legal counsel in this matter, Joseph A. Patella at Hunton Andrews Kurth, LLP.
*For their fair, impartial, and thoughtful administration of justice: The Hon. Renee Marie Bumb, United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey; the Hon. Joel Schneider, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey; and the Hon. Mitchel E. Ostrer, George S. Leone, and Francis J. Vernoia, judges for the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey.
*For his effective services as a mediator, the Hon. Dennis Michael Cavanaugh, United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (ret.).
*For their expertise in assessing financial damages: Edward A. Gold, Stephen Holzen, and Scott Jones and their colleagues at the firm of Stout Risius Ross, LLC.
*For their work championing the recognition of American Indians in New Jersey in decades past: the late Hon. W. Cary Edwards, former Attorney General of New Jersey, Jack F. Trope, former assistant General Counsel to two New Jersey Governors, and other honorable public servants in the state and federal governments.
*For their wisdom in seeking resolution of this controversy: the Hon. Phil Murphy, Governor of New Jersey, and the Hon. Gubir S. Grewal, Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, and his colleagues.
*For their neighborly love and encouragement: the people of Cumberland County, the Cumberland County Freeholders, the Hon. Mayor Albert B. Kelly and The City of Bridgeton, officials of Fairfield Township, the faculty and students at Monmouth University, and the staff of the Penn Museum.
*For their constant well-wishes, individual supporters throughout New Jersey, the United States, and Indian Country.
*For providing additional legal guidance in Indian Law, attorneys Judy Shapiro and Michael Anderson.
*The news outlets and reporters whose regular, in-depth, and accurate coverage helped to shine a cleansing light, including, in alphabetical order: Tristan Ahtone for Aljazeera America; Thomas Barlas and Tyler R. Tynes for The Press of Atlantic City; Alex Bauer forRYOT; Cleve Bryan and David Madden and for CBS Phillyand KYW Radio Philly; Michael Booth for New Jersey Law Journal; the Editorial Board and Stephanie Maksin for South Jersey Times; Lisa J. Ellwood for Indian Country Today; Vince Farinaccio for SNJ Today; Chris Fry and Nick Rummell for Courthouse News; Bill Gallo Jr., Albert B. Kelly, Anna Merriman, and Don E. Woods for com; Aaron Kase for Vice Media; Vidya Kauri, Adam Lidgett, Jeannie O’Sullivan, Christine Powell, and Andrew Westney for Law 360; Cara McCollum for SJ Today; Kate Morgan for The Progressive; Geoff Mulvihill and Staff for the Associated Press, as published by the Washington Post, the New York Times, and many others; Jacqueline L. Urgo for Philly.com; Megan Pauly for Delaware Public Media; Dr. Joseph Schuldenrein for VoiceAmerica; Staff forIndianz.com; and Staff for Native News Today.
Gratefully,
Chief Mark Gould
Launching our Multicultural Audit – Preliminary Steps
Peace and Progress!
We, the Multicultural Audit Steering Committee (MASC), are looking forward to learning more about how our community builds and sustains relationships. In under a year, we have articulated a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Multicultural Community Assessment in Diversity and Inclusion. Essentially, this self-assessment will gather testimonies and witnessing of Friends and attenders to learn more about the ways we can support strengthening our beloved community.
So, what can you do now?
- Hold this work in The Light,
- Read details about the committee and the RFP
- Spread the news of this assessment among your contacts,
- Participate as your talents and gifts permit
Friend Carter Nash (Harrisburg MM), a member of MASC, shares, through testimony, what being in Quaker community means in his life. We are looking forward to learning how such testimonies resonate in your personal witnessing.
Read more about the Multicultural Audit Steering Committee and download the RFP.
Dawnland – Native American Heritage Month
On Nov 5th, WHYY PBS / Independent Lens aired DAWNLAND, directed by Adam Mazo – a documentary of the “untold story of Indigenous child removal in the US through the nation’s first-ever government-endorsed truth and reconciliation commission,” the investigation of the devastating impact of Maine’s child welfare practices on the Wabanaki people. The presumption being that “assimilating into white society would improve [Wabanaki children’s] quality of life and give [the Wabanaki children] a better future.” This is the first time a film focused on WABANAKI people has been nationally televised. In recognition of National Native American Heritage month, DAWNLAND is now available to stream in the United States on PBS.org and via the PBS app through the end of November!
Denise Altvater (Passamaquoddy,) coordinator of AFSC’s Wabanaki Youth Program, courageously tells her story and is featured in DAWNLAND. A friend of Arla Patch (Doylestown MM) and other members of PhYM First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative (FCRC,) Denise joined Young Friends during a recent retreat, hosted by West Chester Friends Meeting.
We invite you into the relationship building, essential for beloved community. After viewing DAWNLAND, consider the suggested questions: How much did you know about this story going in? What aspects of it are relevant today? Does your family’s own cultural identity remain intact?
Promised Land
On Friday, November 2, 2018, members of the First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative (FCRC) attended the screening/ panel discussion of Promised Land, hosted by the National Museum of the American Indians, D.C., and sponsored by the National Congress of American Indians and Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes.
Promised Land “is a social justice documentary that follows two tribes in the Pacific Northwest as they fight for the restoration of treaty rights that have been denied,” as told by members of the Duwamish and Chinook Tribal Nations. Viewers heard stories and saw cultural features of these Peoples, lending to the depth of their indigenous identity, and witnessed the push-back against these indigenous communities, undermining self-determination.
Following the screening, a panel of these tribal members, filmmakers, and sponsors discussed the relevance of the film and entertained questions. We were reminded that the first step in being an “ally” of indigenous peoples is to listen; listen to their leadership.
Pastor JR Norwood (Nanticoke-Lenape, seated with NCAI and ACET) introduced us to the filmmaker team, Vasant and Sarah Salcedo – directors, writers, cinematographers, editor, and producer. We noted, that aside from geographic distance, the story is one that mirrors many tribal nations throughout the country, including those of “early contact” with W. Europeans/ colonization along the east coast, such as Pastor Norwood’s Tribal Nation in southern jersey.
The PhYM FCRC web page “Structural Resources” – https://www.pym.org/first-contact-reconciliation-collaborative/structural-resources/ – contains links to several local tribal nations, where Friends may learn of needs and, with respect, listen to indigenous leadership; listen to tribal nations’ “righteous fight(s).” The FCRC web presence hosts our contact information; we are available to walk-the-walk with Friends at various entry points.