_____________
resolution NO. _____________
INTRODUCED
BY _________________________________________________
By Request of the ****
A resolution of the House of Representatives of the state of montana recognizing and expressing gratitude for the recent REPUDIATION of the "doctrine of Discovery" by the vatican.
WHEREAS, the state is "committed in its educational goals to the preservation of [American Indian] cultural heritage" pursuant to Article X, section 1(2), of the Montana Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the Doctrine of Discovery established through papal bull in the 15th century can be viewed as the origin of some of the worst evils committed by human beings against other human beings, including slavery and genocide; and
WHEREAS, the Doctrine of Discovery was inherently Eurocentric and antithetical to the view of universal human dignity and was manipulated for political use by colonial powers; and
WHEREAS, the Doctrine of Discovery has been referred to by the Supreme Court of the United States and used to justify the taking of lands inhabited by many generations of American Indians; and
WHEREAS, on March 30, 2023, the Vatican formally repudiated the "Doctrine of Discovery" in a Joint Statement of the Dicasteries for Culture and Education and for Promoting Integral Human Development stating that, "[t]he Catholic Church therefore repudiates those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of indigenous peoples, including what has become known as the legal and political 'doctrine of discovery'"; and
WHEREAS, this repudiation by the Vatican supports the healing of indigenous peoples who have been impacted by the legacy of colonialism.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the House of Representatives of the 68th Montana Legislature recognizes and is grateful for the Joint Statement of the Dicasteries for Culture and Education and for Promoting Integral Human Development on the "Doctrine of Discovery" dated March 30, 2023.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send a copy of this resolution to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana and to Cardinal Michael Czerny at the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and Cardinal Jose Tolentino de Medonca at the Dicastery for Culture and Education.