Praying/Advocating with San Carlos Tribe for Protection of Oak Flat

The San Carlos Tribe in Arizona is asking People of all Faith to join in prayer and sacred action by calling your Congressional Staff and asking to protect Oak Flat during this season of holy days.

These actions are in response to the Trump administration’s plan  sell off this sacred places for exploitation. This includes opening up the Oak Flat site to promote copper mining.

Background: Chi’chil Bildagoteel (Oak Flat) is a sacred site for the San Carlos Apache—a place to pray, collect water and medicinal plants, gather acorns, honor the people who are buried there, and perform sacred ceremonies.
In 2014, the United States government promised the land to a copper mining company to build a two mile wide mine.
Wendsler Nosie Sr. returned home to this space in November 2019 and asks us to join him in prayer and action to prevent the destruction of Oak Flat.

There will be a day of action/prayer on the ground, on December 21, Winter Solstice.
PRAY Find a prayer practice that fits you—take a walk, light a candle, sit quietly…
• Pray for Wendsler’s safety, the San Carlos Apache Nation, the fresh water that runs at Oak Flat, action in Congress, the trees, plants, and animals in danger, Resolution Copper’s repentance
ACT
• Visit Oak Flat• Visit apache-stronghold.com• Sign the petition on the website•Contact your Senators and Representatives
The Mennonite Coalition of Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery is also planning a webinar with the tribe’s elders.

Interfaith Tree Blessing Prayer

O Holy One of All Life and of all names and beyond names, be with us

Come, stand with us as we plant and nurture this tree.

We have opened the earth and prepared this soil to receive this tree. As the womb receives the seed and nurtures it to maturity, may we bless and nurture this life. Bless this soil. Bless this tree that is already a blessing.

May this tree be a symbol ofour hopeand a remembrance of life.May sister water in our desert region bless your growth dear tree. May birds find shelter in your branches. May you share beauty with us in joyful and difficult moments. May our planting and nurturing of you dear treebring blessings to future generations of all species. We sing in gratitude for all of life. Blessed Be.

Sister Joan Brown Speaks at Dominican Ecclesial Institute Program

Sister Joan Brown was the speaker at the Dominican Ecclesial Institute’s program on a Season of Creation, October 4, 2020