Unitarian Universalist Association Policy
Below is a compilation of excerpts from relevant Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) social justice statements passed by General Assembly, listed chronologically. Click on statement titles for the full text of individual statements.
Truth, Repair, and Reconciliation
2007 Responsive Resolution
President Sinkford asked, "What are our truths? To whom must we be reconciled?" We have many stories to uncover—genocide, slavery, oppression. Only by knowing our truths can we act boldly on our spiritual journey of healing.
In response to President Bill Sinkford's report, moved that delegates begin this work by encouraging their congregations and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to research their own and the Association's history: to uncover our links and complicity with the genocide of native peoples; with slavery and the slave-based economy; and with all types of racial, ethnic, and cultural oppression, past and present, toward the goal of accountability through acknowledgment, apology, repair, and reconciliation, and that they report on their progress at the 2008 and 2009 General Assemblies.
Resolution to Establish Formal Relationships With the National Coalition on Racism and Sports in Media
2001 Responsive Resolution
In response to the moderator's report, moved that this General Assembly direct the Unitarian Universalist Association's Board of Trustees and administration to establish formal relationships with the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media as models for local Unitarian Universalist congregations to use in developing relationships with regional Native American groups working to end the use of Indian images and symbols for sports and media mascots.
Economic Injustice, Poverty, and Racism: We Can Make a Difference!
2000 Statement of Conscience
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, hereby rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of economic justice, an end to racism, and an end to poverty. We recognize that racism is a major contributor toward economic injustice. We pledge ourselves to strive to understand how racism and classism perpetuate poverty and to work for the systemic changes needed to promote a more just economy and compassionate society. Together, we can make a difference . . . Our work for economic justice must include support for . . . .
- respect for treaty rights of First Nations and Native American Tribes . . . .
Resolution on Support for the Cleveland, Ohio, Native American Community
2000 Responsive Resolution
Resolved that this General Assembly urge the Planning Committee and the Board of Trustees to consult and cooperate with the United Church of Christ's ongoing efforts to support the Cleveland Native American community in their struggle against the Cleveland Indians baseball team and the racism implicit in the use of the symbols, names and mascots which Native American people find offensive.
Fair Treatment for Native Americans
1998 Action of Immediate Witness
The United States has a unique legal relationship with Indian tribal governments as set forth in the Constitution of the United States in treaties, in statutes, in court decisions, and in executive orders. However, the indigenous peoples of the United States continue to suffer grievously from economic, social, political, and spiritual injustice and neglect.
We fully support and encourage President Clinton's Initiative on Race and his call for healing all forms of racial abuse and neglect. Yet at the March 1998 meeting of the Advisory Board for the Initiative on Race in Colorado, the absence of representation by indigenous peoples on the Advisory Board and the reluctance of the Advisory Board and staff to engage the audience in direct dialogue on issues of concern led to Native American protests. These protests not only changed the course of that meeting dramatically, but also led to pressure on the President from many groups and individuals to rethink policy and action toward and on behalf of indigenous peoples.
The 1998 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association regrets the failure of the government of the United States to assert a vigorous and moral leadership in ending colonial practices and systemic, as well as individual, discrimination and abuse toward the indigenous peoples of the United States. The Assembly asks Unitarian Universalists in the United States to take action to urge the United Statesgovernment to begin a program of reconciliation and renewal by way of the following:
- holding at least one Race Initiative hearing on an Indian reservation prior to the cessation of the current work of the Race Advisory Board;
- setting up a Presidential Commission on Indigenous Race Relations with a Native chair and majority indigenous representation;
- initiating through the Presidential Commission a process for apology, financial reparation, and healing for the historic injustice suffered by indigenous peoples in their relations with the United States government and the other citizens of the United States, finding inspiration in the Canadian government's recent action of apologizing to and allocating funds for its indigenous peoples;
- creating an indigenous desk at the White House to act as a liaison between the administration and indigenous nations; and
- receiving assurance of the President's veto of all legislation that would diminish the sovereignty and religious freedoms of indigenous nations.
The 1998 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association also calls on its member congregations and individuals to share this Action of Immediate Witness with other religious groups in their communities.
Solidarity with the San Carlos Apache Regarding Mt. Graham
1997 Action of Immediate Witness
The University of Arizona, in conjunction with Ohio State University, the Max Planck Institute of Germany, and the Arcetri Observatory of Florence, Italy, is building the third of a series of telescopes on the summit of Mt. Graham, Arizona, as a foundation for an advanced observatory. On April 15, 1997, the Apache Survival Coalition's attorney asked the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to order an injunction to stop construction of telescopes until the Forest Service conducts a study, in consultation with the tribe, on the cultural and religious significance of the telescope site, as required by the National Historic Preservation Act. Our support of this appeal is based on the following:
The religious importance of Mt. Graham—Dzil Nchaa Si An (dzeel nchaa see aan), "Big Seated Mountain," is the Apache name for Mt. Graham in southeastern Arizona. It is the most sacred ground of the San Carlos Apache people, a federally recognized tribe. Violation of the mountain is devastating to the San Carlos Apache people. The mountain is an integral part of their spirituality and healing arts, involving the special herbs, waters, and life of the mountain, all of which are necessary for the performance of certain traditional Apache ceremonies. Also, Mt. Graham is the site of a substantial number of Apache burials. In nine years, there has been no consultation between University of Arizona officials and traditional Apache leaders regarding Mt. Graham, although the San Carlos Apache Council has signed eight telescope opposition declarations and cultural officials from the White Mountain, Mescalero, and Jicarilla Apaches have also signed strenuous protests. As repeatedly stated by the San Carlos Tribal Council, "Any modification of the present form of this mountain constitutes a display of profound disrespect for a cherished feature of our original homeland as well as a serious violation of our traditional religious beliefs."
The ecological importance of Mt. Graham—This is a unique ecosystem, part of the Madrean Archipelago of twelve "sky" islands. Like an island rising from the ocean, Dzil Nchaa Si An rises in a sea of desert grassland. In addition, it contains more life zones than any other single mountain in North America, sustaining over 20 plants and animals found nowhere else in the world and the southernmost spruce/fir forest. The roads and clear-cuts for the observatory will destroy 27% of the best habitat of the endangered Mt. Graham Red Squirrel, once thought to be extinct. The massive human disturbance from astronomy and road construction, maintenance, and user traffic will further degrade the sustainability of the mountain's various ecosystems.
The poor quality of the site for telescope work—The long overdue scientific studies of the University of Arizona, not completed until five years after they had acquired their 1988 environmental exemption from Congress, showed that they chose a site which they described as having "unacceptable" or "unusable" visibility due to its flat topography and dense forestation. These 1993 studies showed that the University of Arizona chose the poorest of all five sites on Mt. Graham.
The poor quality of the University of Arizona's tactics in this matter—Eleven professors and 34 graduate students at the University of Arizona have passed a resolution decrying their own University's ethics in this matter. All other North American universities (over 24), except for Ohio State University, have abandoned this project because superior science could be conducted elsewhere, or because of the project's ethical and human rights problems. Millions of taxpayer dollars have been used to lobby Congress to evade United States cultural, religious, and environmental laws.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 1997 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association calls upon the University of Arizona, Ohio State University, the Max Planck Institute of Germany and the Arcetri Observatory of Italy, to desist from further construction on Mt. Graham unless and until ethical issues are resolved;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1997 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association calls upon the Executive Staff and the Board of Trustees of the Association to join with the Apache in requesting the cessation of new telescope construction on Mt. Graham and the removal of all existing telescopes from Mt. Graham, and in opposing any new or proposed construction or development to take place on Mt. Graham; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the 1997 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association calls upon individual Unitarian Universalists to educate themselves about the issues facing their own local First Nations and Native American neighbors, since sacred sites needing protection exist everywhere.
Justice for Indigenous Peoples
1993 General Resolution
BECAUSE Unitarian Universalists affirm justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and respect for the interdependent web of existence;
BECAUSE Unitarian Universalists value the diversity of human cultures and appreciate the insights and truths in other religious and cultural traditions; and
BECAUSE we have much to learn from indigenous peoples about respect, responsibility, and living in harmony with one another and with the earth; and
WHEREAS the General Assemblies of 1967, 1970, 1973, and 1975 addressed the need to promote social justice for the indigenous peoples of Canada and the United States and insufficient progress has been made;
WHEREAS a legacy of injustice with regard to indigenous peoples persists:
- in the violation of their treaties;
- in the appropriation and environmental ruin of their lands, resources, and sacred sites;
- in the suppression of their languages, spiritual practices, and cultural ways;
- in continued attempts at forced integration and assimilation under paternalistic systems;
- in the failure to respect their rights to self-government; and
- in the public expression of racist attitudes through violence and stereotypical and trivialized images; and
WHEREAS such injustice is inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association endorses the United Nations International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples (1993) and encourages associate members, independent affiliates, and member congregations to honor this year with activities that celebrate cultural diversity and that affirm the close relationships between environmental protection and other social concerns;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association encourages its member congregations and individual Unitarian Universalists to work beyond 1993 in their own regions to:
- learn from indigenous peoples about the richness of their cultures and about the problems and issues they face;
- support local indigenous peoples' political action committees in their struggles for social justice and religious freedom; and
- act individually and through coalitions to respect and support indigenous peoples in preserving their cultural pride and heritage and in protecting their natural resources;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association encourages its member congregations and individual Unitarian Universalists to support discussion of treaties protecting native lands, advocating that:
- treaties be regarded as inviolate;
- compensation for lands taken be provided; and
- sovereignty of indigenous peoples be supported;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Unitarian Universalists in the United States are urged to support amendments to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 to provide for protection of sacred sites, religious use of peyote, prisoners' religious rights, and ritual use of eagles; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Unitarian Universalist Association shall:
- provide programs and curricula about indigenous peoples and their issues;
- review investment policies with regard to indigenous peoples' concerns; and
- support the work of the Unitarian Universalist Network on Indigenous Affairs.
Opposing Extradition of Dennis Banks
1976 General Resolution
WHEREAS, Dennis Banks is acknowledged by many Native Americans to be a militant leader in the struggle for justice in the cause of Native American rights; and
WHEREAS, Dennis Banks has fled from convictions on a charge of riot and a charge of assault stemming from his involvement in an incident in Custer, South Dakota (and no Native American has ever served on a jury in South Dakota); and
WHEREAS, subsequent charges were dismissed with prejudice by a federal court in Oregon in June of 1976; and
WHEREAS, the state of South Dakota in June 1976 served a warrant of extradition for Dennis Banks on Governor Straub of Oregon and, previously, on Governor Brown of California; and
WHEREAS, according to American Indian leaders, more than 150 Native Americans in South Dakota have been killed or severely injured while in custody and Dennis Banks has publicly stated that he will be killed if he is returned to South Dakota;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1976 General Assembly of the UUA request that both Governor Brown and Governor Straub grant asylum and refuse to extradite Dennis Banks to South Dakota and that members and societies be urged to communicate the same request to these two governors.
Native Americans
1975 Business Resolution
BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1975 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association abhors the violence presently taking place at the Pine Ridge Reservation aggravated by the neglect of the US federal government in dealing with the fundamental issue of self-determination of Native Americans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the UUA and its member churches and fellowships be urged to sponsor ongoing educational programs about and leading to effective action concerning the plight of Native Americans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we urge each individual Unitarian Universalist to promote social justice for all Native Americans through contact with his and her political representatives at all levels of government.
Indian Rights
1970 Business Resolution
The thrust of continental policy is now, as it has been historically, the steady expropriation of Indian land and water resources for the benefit of whites in the United States. The practice has been to locate the Indians on the most arid and least productive land. In Canada, Native treaty rights are continually being eroded.
BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1970 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges support of the independent, indigenous organizations:
- In opposing the continued exploitation of the Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts;
- In demanding an end to the continued encroachment by ranching, mining, lumbering, and hydro-electric interests upon their human rights, ancestral homelands, and water resources; and
- In insisting upon adequate reparations for past and present injustices perpetrated upon them.
Last updated on Friday, July 25, 2008.
