Documentary Screening: Change The Mascot

First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative seeks historic truths and to reconcile harms that continue to impact Indigenous Peoples, particularly those on the east coast who have remained sovereign on their traditional territories - NJ, DE, MD. One current campaign calls attention to mascotry. During FCRC's April meeting we discussed our concerns for 70+ NJ and 60+ PA schools' mascotry relative to the May screening of Fighting Indians and agreed to further collaborate with the Coalition of Natives and Allies in this compelling story.
During FCRC's next set virtual meeting, May 10, 7pm, we will address how "we" might be further led; call 609 221-7247 for FCRC Zoom meeting information.
We've learned The State of Maine made history, on May 16th, 2019, by passing LD 944 An Act to Ban Native American Mascots in All Public Schools, the first legislation of its kind in the country. For tribal nations in Maine, the landmark legislation marked an end to a decades-long struggle to educate the public on the harms of Native American mascotry.
The documentary, Fighting Indians chronicles the last and most contentious holdout in that struggle, the homogeneously white Skowhegan High School, known for decades as "The Home of the Indians." This is the story of a small New England community forced to reckon with its identity, its sordid history, and future relationship with its indigenous neighbors. It is a story of a small town divided against the backdrop of a nation divided where the "mascot debate" exposes centuries old abuses while asking if reconciliation is possible.
Please join us to see this important film on Sunday, May 1st from 2-4. Due to the large numbers of participants, please sign-on 15 minutes ahead of 2:00. Both directors of the film and PA State Representative Chris Rabb will be part of the discussion following the film.
"...not only a good film, it's an important one.... This is a rare glimpse of grassroots-level democracy at work to achieve a peaceful and just end of a longstanding slur against Native Peoples in Maine. ~Suzan Shown Harjo
"The most powerful film we have seen on the subject of using Native American people for sports mascots... unravels every excuse and argument made by those who falsely claim that their sports mascots are honoring Native peoples." ~Coalition of Natives and Allies

Invitation to the film Webinar:
https://gmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TB605VlUSVWdAE9jqhUvNA