Gathering of Good Minds 2021

The Gathering of Good Minds 2021 invites you!

The Gathering of Good Minds 2021 presents a unique opportunity to learn more about the various factors of various historical traumas that have significantly impacted Native and Indigenous communities for centuries. Understanding how Historical Traumas have impacted, and continue to impact, Native peoples can be a critical step in helping us to heal from these historical traumas. In each session, we will have break-out rooms for people to discuss, process, and debrief these important, yet powerful documentaries. Our purpose in showing these documentaries is to help create a foundation of understanding this history, so that these factors and residual impacts of health challenges can be overcome, that our people, families, communities, Nations and Tribes can restore ourselves to healthy lifeways, and that this history of trauma does not repeat itself.

Doctrine of Discovery

Explores the impact of Papal Bulls from 1452 and how these concepts still impact Native and Indigenous communities. A very powerful and important film, this documentary shows stark understandings and examples of the many traumas that have impacted Indigenous peoples for centuries, including to the present day.
When: Thursday, July 1, 2021, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Eastern time)

Dawes Commission & My Own Private Lower Post

The “Dawes Commission” film shows the impact of the Allotment Act of 1887 on Native communities and the damage caused by this Congressional act. The “Lower Post” documentary shares the journey of a mother and son to the boarding school the mother attended and how their traditional culture helps them to overcome the challenges of the boarding school system.
When: Tuesday, July 6, 2021, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm (Eastern time)

Unseen Tears

This very powerful film presents some first-hand accounts of the many traumas that children endured while attending the Thomas Indian School, Mohawk Institute, and/or Carlisle Boarding School. For many people featured in the film, this represents the first time they have shared their stories, providing critically important awareness of the impacts of these institutions.
When: Wednesday, July 7, 2021, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm (Eastern time)

Blood Memory

This documentary presents the challenges and impacts created by the foster care and adoption systems that followed the residential boarding school era. Trauma, reconnecting to our families and communities, and culturally based healing are featured in this film.
When: Thursday, July 8, 2021 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Eastern time)

For more information, please contact Lisa, GGM Event Planner, at llatocha@nacswny.org

Nyah-Weh! Tabutne! Yaw! Migwetch! Nyawen-ha! Thank you!