Gladstone, Michigan – On October 17, 2025,Episcopal Divinity School (EDS), in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan and The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, hosted a highly participatory, full-day, hybrid workshop titled Hope & Healing: Engaging Indigenous Cosmologies & the Gospel in Action. Held at the Terrace Bay Hotel in Gladstone, the event drew over 100 learners both in-person and online.
The participatory workshop was co-taught by Sarah Augustine (Pueblo/Tewa descendant and Coalition co-founder) and Sheri Hostetler ’90 (Coalition co-founder), focusing on embodying the dismantlement of the Doctrine of Discovery—the historical framework that legitimized the seizure of Indigenous lands by Christian governments.
Augustine and Hostetler engaged learners throughout the day with curriculum unpacking the devastating ecological consequences of our current economic systems - even so called “green growth,” collaborated with learners to elevate what our practical options are given the systems we’ve inherited, and uncovered different interpretations to scripture that has traditionally been used to justify human exceptionalism and conquest.
A Day of Deep Engagement
The curriculum guided participants through hopeful and creative practices rooted in both the Gospel and Indigenous cosmologies to foster restoration and healing. Key sessions included:
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Co-identifying an Economy of Life: Examining the ecological toll of current systems and exploring alternatives rooted in life support systems, drawing on Gospel teachings and Indigenous perspectives.
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Getting Grounded in the Soil: An outdoor spiritual practice that harmonized Indigenous cosmologies and the Gospel to deepen connection to creation, counteracting materialistic anxieties by examining scripture like Romans 1:20-23.
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Developing a Decolonizing Lens: Learning to view theology and worship from the perspective of the marginalized, including reimagining biblical stories like the Exodus and Luke 4, with the goal of developing decolonized liturgy and worship.
Key Takeaway: Wisdom for a Balanced Path
A central theme emphasized throughout the day was that truly caring for creation requires embracing the wisdom found in Indigenous cosmologies, which predate capitalism and offer a balanced path forward for the earth and for human relationships. The interactive format, featuring working table groups and shared Q&A across in-person and virtual attendees, ensured a diversity of perspectives and fostered communal accountability for future action.
EDS is exploring bringing similar theological education experiences to other communities. Leaders interested in implementing decolonizing frameworks in their congregations are highly encouraged to connect with The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery for further resources and involvement opportunities.
Further Resources
Resources shared during the workshop are available on our website.
We highly recommend staying in touch with the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery and using their resources to share these learnings with your faith communities. Explore their calendar to find entry-level ways to get involved, including orientation and decolonizing worship.