REFLECTIONS OF THE BRIDGE OF PEACE CROSSING: INTRODUCTION
Native American spirituality is a religion unto itself and thrived for thousands of years before the Europeans arrived on the shores of "Turtle Island." The First Peoples' spirituality was not acknowledged by those who came; and genocide occurred. Over 300 nations no longer exist.
The genocide was perpetrated mainly as a result of Pope (1431-1503) Alexander VI's, Demarcation bull, granting Spain possession of the lands discovered by Columbus. This resulted in the Doctrine of Discovery, basically giving right of "ownership" to European Christian monarchs through expeditions finding lands that were not inhabited by Christians. (See www.doctrineofdiscovery.org for more information.)
It is important to realize that the First People of America's spirituality contains many solutions and answers for world peace and guardianship of Mother Earth.
Representing the ancestors of over 500 Native American nations, Rev. Dr. Linda Lucero Nishikawa, Pojoaque Pueblo and CEO of United Native American Council; walked the Bridge of Peace. Representing the Roman Catholic Church was Archbishop George Augustus Stallings, National Co-Chairman of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), and spiritual leader of the Imani Temple African American Catholic Congregation, headquartered in Suitland, Maryland.
