“The weeklong homelands immersion to the Ossining, New York, area was shepherded by the Dominican Sisters of Hope, whose sponsored ministry, the Center at Mariandale, hosted the visitors and are engaged in efforts to promote land justice: the process of what one advocate calls “centering racial and ecological justice” in how land is used and loved, owned and governed.

 

Partners also helped: The New York Community Trust funded the Aug. 26-Sept. 3 visit. The Aug. 30 afternoon outing was spent in nearby Chappaqua in Buttonhook Forest, a private initiative to preserve the forest as a space where Indigenous practiced sacred rituals, said Carl Procario-Foley, Mariandale’s executive director.

 

The retreat — which also included a visit to the National Museum of the American Indian in Lower Manhattan — began with an opening ceremony overlooking the Hudson River in which congregational members, associates and Mariandale staff joined the visitors in a circle. The group acknowledged past pains but also spoke of hope for future healing.”

 

Enjoy! We’re grateful to the The New York Community Trust for their partnership in this journey.