Sunday Talks: Dwayne Tomah on the Doctrine of Discovery from an Indigenous Perspective

A contentious principle that granted Europeans the right to claim land they “discovered” as their own, then create laws to support their dominance, will be the subject of a free Sunday Talk at Eastport Arts Center.

Passamaquoddy Language Keeper Dwayne Tomah will discuss the “Doctrine of Discovery” on Sunday, September 22, at 2 pm. 

The principle and related laws “established power and domination over our land as well as power over our people,” Tomah said.

An example of the kinds of regulations and laws set up to strip First Nations people of power was an 1823 court decision that regulated land rights on tribal territories. Even today Native people can only “occupy” tribal land, they cannot hold title to it.

“The idea was that if the government took away all our possessions, our spirituality, and our lands they could control us. And if we didn’t comply, they’d kill us,” Tomah said. “The world needs to know this Doctrine of Discovery. We all are suffering because of it.”

The talk is part of a series of Sunday talks that will be offered with free admission at Eastport Arts Center through October. Donations will be gratefully accepted, and will be used to help sustain programs like these. 

Eastport Arts Center is at 36 Washington Street, Eastport, and at www.eastportartscenter.org, and is handicapped-accessible.