The Doctrine of Discovery: The Episcopal Church, Indigenous Peoples, and the Necessity of Decolonizing Christianity

Jun 18, 2025

The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton is Chaplain to the Province VIII Episcopal Church Women's Board 2024 - 2027

This presentation presents an encapsulated history of the history and forces of Western Civilization that inform the development of the Doctrine of Discovery, how the Doctrine continues to be operant within neocolonialism today, and what we can do within churches to transform relationships with Indigenous peoples within a mission more in keeping with values of Christ.

Workshop Description: The Doctrine of Discovery historically informed the legal premise for justifying the forces of colonialism, including the enslavement of African and Asian peoples as well as the oppression and genocide of Indigenous peoples.  Taber-Hamilton will share the historical development of the Doctrine of Discovery, the historical role of the Church, and real-world contemporary examples of its continuing impact.

The Doctrine of Discovery remains embedded in the legal policies of the U.S. and colonized nations throughout the world, policies that maintain the theological, political, and legal justification for continued neo-colonialism, including the seizure of land, genocide, oppression, and racism. The Episcopal Church National Convention in 2009 formally renounced the doctrine and urged church-wide reflection and action.

Come learn how Indigenous people and allies are doing and can do to deconstruct the effects of the Doctrine of Discovery as a social force in our Church, in our nations, and in our world.

 

Madeline Sampson is nominated for the office of President for the Episcopal Church Women of Province VIII, 2027-2030 term.

Madeline’s home church is Good Shepherd Mission in the Diocese of Navajoland.

Madeline’s present church-related and/or community-related activities include: ECW, spouse to the Rev. Leon Sampson, MMIW, and Winter Talk.

Madeline will bring to the Board talents and skills of women’s ministry and organization to events.

Madeline is interested in serving on the Board. She has experience as ECW Province VIII Vice President and Representative to the National ECW Board; she currently serves as ECW Province VIII Board President; and she continues to work with women’s ministry in diverse communities.

Signed: Madeline Sampson
P.O. Box 223 (All that was provided)
435-459-0889|
Madelinesampson15@gmail.com

Shelly Carlson is nominated for the office of Vice President/Representative to the National Board of ECW for the Episcopal Church Women of Province VIII, 2027-2030 term.

Shelly’s home church is St. John’s Episcopal Church, Roseville, in the Diocese of Northern California.

Shelly’s present church-related and/or community-related activities include: Clerk to the Vestry, LEM, Jr. Daughters of the King (DOK) Directress, Vice President for Diocese of Northern California DOK, President of Province VIII DOK, ECW Representative.

Shelly will bring to the Board talents and skills of being a good listener and likes to work with people to accomplish the things God sends us into the world to do.

Shelly is interested in serving on the Board in order to share the transforming love of Jesus Christ with the world and to help grow the ECW to spread God’s Word and His love.

Signed: Shelly L. Carlson
535 W. Delano Street
Elverta CA 95626
916-240-4740
Shelly.carlson@hotmail.com

Laura Orcutt is nominated for the office of Vice President/Representative to the National Board of ECW for the Episcopal Church Women of Province VIII, 2027-2030 term.

Laura’s home church is St. James Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Utah.

Laura’ present church-related and/or community-related activities include: Lay Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Lay Reader, Search Committee for new rector, Diocesan ECW

Coordinator, Diocesan Commission on Peace and Justice member, Community of Hope International local chapter member, Veriditas trained labyrinth facilitator, FACE Hunger and Homelessness member, Salt Lake City Interfaith Roundtable member, and ECW Province VIII Leading with Heart Circle member.

Laura will bring to the Board talents and skills from being involved with ECW since 2009 when she attended her first ECW Triennial Meeting in Anaheim, California. Since then, she has been involved in providing activities and spiritual retreats for the women in her diocese and congregation. She was key in hosting the ECW Triennial Meeting in Salt Lake City in 2015 where Utah was the host diocese. She was involved in organizing the 5k walk, creating a 20-person color guard, providing workshop presenters, and providing support to key ECW staff and other affiliate organizations like UTO and CPC when they did their site surveys and during Triennial/General Convention. For the 2024 Triennial, Laura provided the keynote speaker because of a virtual event the speaker and Laura hosted when she was a volunteer at a nonprofit organization serving refugees on the northern border of Lebanon. As a result, Laura is very familiar with the importance of a strong National ECW Board to host the Triennial Meeting where it takes commitment, leadership, dedication, and intelligent decisions to provide a first-class experience for the participants at Triennial. As a former Air Force officer and squadron commander, Laura brings experience in managing organizations and their operations where her organization won four distinguished unit awards and recognition as the top supply squadron in Europe and in the Pacific. She loves the synergy created when people come together, and the effect of teamwork and collaboration to achieve a common goal.

Laura is interested in serving on the Board because she wants to serve the women in The Episcopal Church by providing programs and events, culminating with an outstanding experience at the Triennial Meeting, so that they are renewed, invigorated, refreshed, and prepared to continue the work Christ has called them to do in the world. The work of women in The Episcopal Church is vital and collaboration with women to support and sustain women in their ministries is key. Laura believes she has the experience in working with the National ECW board, such as being a part of the host diocese in 2015, being a writer for the Communique for this Triennium, and hosting several virtual events for National ECW in early 2025. These have prepared her to be an asset and beneficial in serving on the National ECW board. She is familiar with the women who have served on the ECW Province VIII Board and she believes she could serve them well as their representative to the National ECW Board. She also believes that she would strongly support the ECW Province VIII President as her Vice President. She believes the timing is right in her life to do so.

Signed: Laura Orcutt
10503 N 6250 W
Highland UT 84003
801-368-5437
Laura.orcutt.007@gmail.com 

Christine Budzowski is nominated for the office of Secretary/Treasurer for the Episcopal Church Women of Province VIII, 2027-2030 term.

Christine’s home church is St. Luke’s/San Lucas, Long Beach in the Diocese of Los Angeles.

Christine’s present church-related and/or community-related activities include: ECW diocesan president, vestry, church bookstore, Daughters of the King 2nd Vice President in the Diocese of Los Angeles, Diocesan Council, Leading With Heart (province) Communications, and Secretary/Treasurer, ECW Province VIII.

Christine will bring to the Board talents and skills of communications and technology, service on the National ECW Board and DOK National Council, networking, Spanish speaking (a bit rusty but improving).

Christine is interested in serving on the Board. She is passionate about ECW and women’s ministries and she feels we need to adapt to remain relevant.

Signed: Christine Budzowski
2742 Cabrillo Avenue, Unit 306
Torrance CA 90501
310-948-0056 christine@trinitywebconsulting.com 

Charlene McCreight is nominated for the office of Member-at-large for Communications for the Episcopal Church Women of Province VIII, 2027-2030 term.

Charlene’s home church is St. Francis of Assisi, Wilsonville in The Episcopal Church in Western Oregon (the Diocese of Oregon).

Charlene’s present church-related and/or community-related activities include: ECW Province VIII ECW Member at Large for Communications and she sits on the Policy and Procedure Committee, Diocesan ECW President for The Episcopal Church in Western Oregon, and Facebook communications person for the National Church Periodical Club Board.

Charlene will bring to the Board talents and skills of both her experience in ECW and a variety of practical skills to the ECW Province VIII Board, as she has been actively involved with ECW since 2011. During this time, she has developed an understanding of ECW’s mission and how it can operate at the diocesan, provincial, and national levels. Her proficiency with computer programs such as Microsoft 365, Canva, Facebook, and Zoom enables her to effectively handle communications, design engaging materials, and facilitate virtual collaboration among board members and ECW communities and the women of Province VIII.

Charlene is interested in serving on the Board. Her communication abilities, combined with her knowledge of ECW’s structure and processes, equip her to contribute to the board’s initiatives, enhance communication efforts, and support of the women across Province VIII. She also is committed to continuous learning and adapting to new challenges, which enables her to respond effectively to the evolving needs of the community.

Additionally, her collaborative experience working with leaders in the church has helped foster a supportive working environment where ideas can be shared and impactful projects can be realized. She believes that building strong relationships and maintaining open lines of communication are key to the collective success and the ongoing growth of ECW Province VIII.

Signed: Charlene McCreight
11520 SW Zurich Street, Apt. 208
Wilsonville OR 97128
503-991-9510
Charlene.mccreight@gmail.com 

Kathleen Nyhuis is nominated for the office of Member-at-large for Social Justice for the Episcopal Church Women of Province VIII, 2027-2030 term.

Kathleen’s home church is the Cathedral of Saint Mark, Seattle in the Diocese of Olympia.

Kathleen’s present church-related and/or community-related activities include: online Morning Prayer worship leader, VEM second, Prayer Ministry vice president, The Episcopal Community, HOA president, Duplicate Bridge Director. Because she no longer drives, many on-site ministries are no longer possible. Previous activities included VEM, chapel Altar Guild, worship leader at 7 AM midweek Holy Eucharist, catechist, and facilitator for Safeguarding in Seattle and in the Diocese of Arizona.

Kathleen will bring to the Board talents and skills from a 30-year career in The Episcopal Church at the local, diocesan, provincial, and national levels. She has 9 years on the DOK National Council, as well as other diocesan and provincial offices. She served on staff in three parishes doing administrative work and pastoral care. Other ministries included hospital and hospice chaplaincy, administration for Stephen Ministry, and staff position for 12 years on the Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief (now Episcopal Relief and Development). She has strong experience and love of multicultural ministries: First Nations ministry in Arizona and Olympia; Southeast Asian Refugee work; advocate for women and children.

Kathleen is interested in serving on the Board. If she can be of service, that is her call. She admits to being 83 years old, but she still has passion and energy to get things done.

Signed: Kathleen Nyhuis
3510 S Leschi Place
Seattle WA 98144-2623
206-295-1801
nyhuiskath@gmail.com