“Naming is the beginning of justice.” Robin Wall Kimmerer Cedar Valley, a property owned by Cedar Community, is managed by our United Church of Christ ministry partner, United Church Camps, Inc. (UCCI). Activity and classes at Cedar Valley are back in full swing, as are activities at all three of UCCI’s outdoor ministry camp sites. Cedar Valley’s sister site in Green Lake, the Pilgrim Center, was recently rededicated as the Daycholah (Dā - chō’ – lah) Center. Daycholah is the Ho-Chunk name for Green Lake. UCCI’s outdoor ministry recognized a unique opportunity to restore the voice of Native Americans and acknowledge their stewardship of this sacred place. This new name recognizes that this land was, and remains a sacred place for native tribes, and marks the beginning of a reparative journey aimed toward building strong, supportive, and positive relationships with our indigenous siblings. This journey began in 2019 following the Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ’s (WCUCC) repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery. The Doctrine of Discovery (the laws and philosophies that supported unchecked European and American western expansion) authorized the genocide of native peoples and the theft of native lands. UCCI engaged in a three-year process of dialogue to better understand how a name like “pilgrim” would be offensive. The conversation was led by members of The Hocak United Church of Christ at the Indian Mission in Black River Falls, The Alliance for Justice, Inc., clergy from the WCUCC, and UCCI staff. “Many reading this article might ask, ‘What is wrong or offensive with the name “pilgrim”?’ ‘Why is this such a big deal?’ Growing up in southeast Wisconsin, the history of the pilgrims Puritans, idealized Thanksgivings, westward expansion, and the settling of this ‘new country’ were all spoken of positively from a European colonist perspective,” said Rev. James Schleif, UCCI Director of Ministry and Site Operations. “As my life experience and education broadened, I learned that there is a different perspective from a Native American experience. Considering the native perspective, we may better understand how a name like ‘pilgrim’ would be offensive. In some ways, the landing of the Pilgrims and Puritans began the end of their way of life.” UCCI’s mission and values are in accord with The First Indigenous Principle, which declares: Respect the Earth and have a Sacred Regard for All Living Things. The UCCI Mission Statement reads: We will love God, all others, and the earth. With these core values aligned, the next step was clear—apply them to ourselves by renaming Pilgrim Center to Daycholah Center. A formal rededication took place on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Monday, October 11, 2021, which coincided with the 400th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving. Our commitment to the sacred place that is Daycholah Center and the community created when people gather there—is not changing. Judnard Henry, managing director of Daycholah Center, states: “Renaming is an appropriate and necessary first step on our journey toward a future where all are welcome and included, and have a voice. We will continue to grow as a sacred place of love, a sanctuary, a community of inclusion and belonging, a place to learn, and to connect more deeply to God and all others.” Cedar Valley UCCI offers classes and workshops year round, along with event space for your gathering. Participation for 2022 requires guests to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or provide a negative test result 24 hours before attending. Details and registration are online at ucci.org. You may also call 262.629.9202.
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| SPRING 2022
cedarcommunity.org
