First UUs in Support of Indigenous Peoples (FUUSIP)
Addressing Indigenous Erasure Through Education and Action
First UUs in Support of Indigenous Peoples (FUUSIP) gathers on the second Sunday of each month to cultivate collective education, truth-telling, and meaningful solidarity. Our ministry focuses on raising awareness about the deep injustices inflicted on Native nations while finding actionable ways to give back based directly on the needs expressed by Virginia tribes. By collaborating with organizations like the Virginia Tribal Education Consortium (VTEC) and participating in community initiatives like the Chickahominy Tribe's food forest projects, we seek to move beyond passive acknowledgment into active partnership. Join us in person or via Zoom as we decenter dominant narratives, listen to Indigenous voices, and recognize that our collective liberation is deeply bound together.
Support of Indigenous Peoples (FUUSIP)
We meet on second Sundays after service (Zoom also available) to continue our individual and collective education to witness and begin to address Indigenous erasure. We work to find ways to raise awareness and educate ourselves about the injustices inflicted on Indigenous peoples and find meaningful ways to give back based on the needs expressed by Virginia tribes.
Contact: Margaret and Ray McGugan, FUUSIP@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for latest updates and events
@firstuuchurchrva
Links you may like:
Virginia Tribal Education Consortium
Mission: VTEC’s mission is to bolster the capacity of Indigenous Nations in Virginia to address the academic achievement and career and technical education needs of tribal citizens from early childhood through adult education. Embracing culturally and historically accurate educational opportunities, VTEC endeavors to provide pathways to success for all.
Vision: To achieve sovereignty through education for the Indigenous Nations of Virginia.
Practicing Intercultural Agility (and humility) information from the UUA:
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With Good Reason – NPR
Virginia’s first tribal court 6 min
https://www.withgoodreasonradio.org/episode/making-justice/?t=0&autoplay=1#s0
Imagining a New Justice System 11 min
https://www.withgoodreasonradio.org/episode/making-justice/?t=367&autoplay=1#s367
- Do you ever wonder which indigenous group is related to where you live now? Go here to find out: https://native-land.ca/
Event Beyond First UU
Past Event: FUUSIP – Chickahominy Tribe Food Forest Spring Workshop
Sunday, April 19, 10am – 4pm
Eastern Chickahominy Tribal Land
2895 Mt Pleasant Rd, Providence Forge, VA 23140
Join us for this journey into developing the most environmentally and people-friendly gardens possible. Explore how we can grow gardens that produce healthier food and benefit the ecosystem and wildlife around you with less effort than modern vegetable gardens. Click here on the tribe website for details and registration.
If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time.
If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine,
Then let us work together.
Lilla Watson
Australian Aboriginal elder,
activist, and educator
Do you enjoy podcasts? Or maybe you’ve never listened to one. Here is the link to an interesting podcast. Some shows are short 6-10 minutes, others are longer 30-60 minutes.
Tribal Truths “Indigenous communities in Virginia have listened to others tell our stories. Now it’s our turn. We’re debunking myths and legends with fact, teaching about tribal cultures and current issues. This is Tribal Truths.”
Virginia Public Radio WVTF
Email fuusip@gmail.com and let us know what you think.