By Amy Jayne
This story of justice and restoration begins at Ascension School Camp and Conference Center, the spiritual center of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon. From time immemorial, the land was an abundant First Foods habitat and a critical part of the seasonal-rounds lifestyle of the Native people of the region—the Walla Walla, Cayuse, Umatilla, and Nez Perce people. In 1881, it was deeded to The Episcopal Church by early White settlers who colonized the land as part of Westward expansion. It was subsequently farmed for over a century.
Through the vision of Bishop Patrick Bell, and through the discernment of our values around both creation care and racial justice, the people of the Diocese of Eastern Oregon were compelled to reimagine the stewardship of the land. We were learning how critical habitat restoration is to Indigenous lifeways and were seeking appropriate next steps in truth-telling. In November 2019, a new vision for prairie and riparian restoration began at Ascension School.
The project has been managed by Indigenous caretakers, Bobby Fossek (Umatilla/Walla Walla) and Brosnan Spencer (Cayuse), since its dedication. Having grown up attending camp at Ascension School, Bobby was instrumental in launching this new path forward. It is funded through grants, individual donors, and the Conservation Resource Enhancement Program. Nearly 8,000 native shrubs and trees have been planted, and the meadows have been re-seeded. The land is coming back to life, and First Foods are beginning to flourish.
Through the guidance of our Indigenous siblings, we have become more aware that the healing of the land is deeply connected to the healing of its original caretakers. Indigenous people were and continue to be displaced from the region through ecological ruin, colonization, and attempted cultural genocide. The church is both active and complicit in these atrocities. New ideas for addressing the injustice evolved, and with financial support from the diocese and an abundance of grants. Bobby, Brosnan, and Spencer soon established an organization—Naknuwiłama Tiiča̓mna (Caretakers of the Land). This was born from their own longing for justice and cultural revitalization. The organization serves to steward and strengthen the lifeways, languages, habitats, and traditional ecological knowledge of the Blue Mountain bioregion through seasonal round immersion camps. The diocese continues to offer financial and administrative support as the organization incubates. Once sustainable, they will launch as their own nonprofit organization with continued support from the diocese.
Toward similar efforts, a Commission for the Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery was established in 2021, and on Oct. 13, 2022, the delegates of the 52nd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon gathered to learn and vote on a repudiation resolution. We were challenged by Indigenous guest speakers to look boldly into the uncomfortable truths of our church, our nation, and our hearts as we walk forward in justice. “We aren’t doing this so we can all go home and pat our White backs and feel good about ourselves… if we are going to do this, we must do more. This is only the initial step. This is the easiest part” (Bishop Patrick Bell). There was depth and heart in the discussion that preceded the vote. With one abstaining and all others in favor, the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery. The resolution included the establishment of a Truth and Conciliation Commission that meets regularly with Indigenous consultants, including Sarah Augustine, Pueblo leader and author of “The Land is Not Empty.” Diocesan Council has set aside financial resources towards these efforts and the diocese has joined the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. As Beloved Community, we are committed long term to this work of justice and healing and are certain it will be challenging and transformative.
To follow Caretakers of the Land, check out their social media platforms: @naknuwithlamatiichamna; on Instagram@caretakers_of_the_land.
For more information about the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon’s efforts, visit us at https://edeo.org/what-we-do/.
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Amy Jayne is the executive director at Ascension School Camp and Conference Center.