What is the Doctrine of Discovery and why is it significant today?

On January 14, 2016, the United Nations declared the Holy See legally responsible and accountable to Indigenous Peoples for effects and legacy of “racist colonial bulls and doctrines”. A major focus of classroom discussions has been the Doctrine of Discovery. On May 1st, 2016, a contingent of Indigenous Peoples will converge on Rome demanding that Pope Francis rescind the related bulls of Doctrine of Discovery. This reflection requires you to review the following UN Social and Economic Council report published May 2014: A Study on the impacts of the Doctrine of Discovery on indigenous peoples, including mechanisms, processes and instruments of redress, with reference to the Declaration, and particularly to articles 26-28, 32 and 40 The Introduction begins with the following statement: The Permanent Forum members examined the doctrine of discovery as a special theme during its 11 session, which included a panel of international experts, preparation of a conference room paper, statements from indigenous peoples from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Arctic, Central and South America and the Caribbean and North America and recommendations in the Forum’s final report. The doctrine’s reach and impacts are global. 1) Reflect on specific aspects within the report and the press release, share new understandings this new knowledge provides to you. What is the Doctrine of Discovery and why is it significant today? Required Resources: 1. The Study: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/2014/3.pdf 2. Press release: United Nations declares the Holy See legally responsible and accountable to Indigenous Peoples for effects and legacy of racist colonial Papal Bulls and Doctrines http://www.iosde.org/3/post/2016/01/united-nations-declares-the-holy-see-legally-responsible-and-accountable-to-indigenous-peoples-for-effects-and-legacy-of-racist-colonial-papal-bulls-and-doctrines.html QUESTION #2 a. Take time to read the assigned reading “Perceptions of America’s Native Democracies.” In what ways was tribal leadership at contact different from the European model? Required Resources: Perceptions of America’s Native Democracies