Getting Educated

I attended and really enjoyed the Social Action Summer Institute this past week. It is always invigorating to be with so many people who are passionate about social justice and the environment in particular. We were frequently reminded that Pope Francis is not saying anything new – the last few Popes have all spoken out strongly regarding the care of creation: Pope Benedict was actually known as the green Pope. He was the Pope who among other things, saw to it that the Vatican became a sustainable city with power generated by solar panels. The difference in my opinion is that Pope Francis not only advocates from his position of church leadership, he lives what he advocates in his own personal life, in the way he chooses to dress, to drive, to live in community and to constantly seek the company of the poor and powerless. He challenges everyone by the choices he makes.
 

The Encyclical, Laudato Si' was at the center of all conversations and workshops. There is so much to ponder and to take into account that the Encyclical will most likely be a major force in my thinking for some time to come. We were also reminded that we need to help one another in the process of changing to a simplified way of living that will promote healing for Creation and enhance the lives of the many poor and vulnerable people who have not had their basic needs met while others have continued to live with more than their share. 

On Monday I went up the gorge to Cascade Locks with a group of people to hear from Wilbur Slokish Jr. who is the hereditary chief of the Klickitat Tribe. He has been fighting all of his life, in the same way that his father and grandfather did, to maintain fishing rights for the River People. When he was a young man he was arrested for taking fish across the state line. He had traveled by boat from one side of the Columbia River to the other. Altogether there were 16 fish in his boat. Wilbur spent three years in jail because he would not renounce his right to fish – rights that belonged to his people according to signed treaties.      

He tells a powerful story of fighting for his people and the many obstacles and ignorant people he must encounter. At the same time he was very gracious, thanking us for listening to him. One of the group members asked him how he could be so generous and kind to us since we were mostly a group of white people descended from European conquerors. Chief Slokish said that many years ago he had prayed asking why God had allowed the Europeans to come and inhabit the land. God answered him saying that the Europeans had much to learn and Wilbur’s people could teach them. 

Wow! He is so right. 

I took the picture below near where the family home of Chief Slokish used to be on the edge of the Columbia River. Across the river are the train tracks and I saw at least one very long train while we were there. I hope and pray that we won't be seeing coal trains or oil tankers with the potential to further devastate this gorgeous habitat.