RUC 8 The Doctrine of Discovery: A conversation between Steven Newcomb and Archbishop Don Bolen

Render Unto Caesar

In this show I moderate a fascinating conversation about the doctrine of discovery between Indigenous scholar of law Steven Newcomb and Roman Catholic Archbishop Don Bolen. The irony of the release date of this episode is thick. In what was Columbus Day in the United States, President Joe Biden issued a historic proclamation that the second Monday of October is also to be called Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This follows a move by the Canadian Government to recognize September 30th as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Both of these moves signal an important shift in the conversation about the story of Turtle Island (or North America) and its inhabitants. I hope that this podcast spotlights the monumental role that the doctrine of discovery has played in that story.