The Kateri Tekakwitha Peace Conference - About our Conference
The Kateri Tekakwitha Peace Conference began in 1998 with the Prisoners of Conscience Interfaith Pilgrimage to close the U.S. Army School of the Americas. The first two years were actually Pilgrimages to close the now infamous U.S. Army School of the Americas at Ft. Benning, Georgia. The pilgrimages began at the National Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine in Fonda, New York and walked to the Capital in Albany. In 1999 a large rally was held at the Capital with many notable speakers including Bishop Howard Hubbard, Chief Jake Swamp and others.
The early conference history was not archived and some of it has been lost although we still are in hopes of recovering most of it.
A partial listing of our conference titles and speakers is as follows:
2000
Preparing Fertile Fields: An Indigenous Rights Conference and Concert
Featuring: Chief Jake Swamp*, Luis Yat and Strong Turtle Drum*
2003
Ethics, Truth and Terrorism: A Closer Look at America’s Role
Featuring: Laura MacDonald, Cynthia Banas and Connie Houde
2004
Creating Peace In A World At War
Featuring: Bishop Thomas Gumbleton and Kathy Kelly
Some people think there will always be war, that war is inevitable, an outcome of our flawed human nature. Others say things will never change, become resigned and give up. To the first group, we offer this challenge. The outcome of your experience is the product of your beliefs and actions. We have the ability to choose. We have the ability to discern. We live in a cause- and -effect universe. Subsequentlyly we determine the quality of our lives and the quality of the world we live in. Finally the only change we need to make is subjective. It is within our hearts and minds, so very close to home. It is possible! We can make these changes!
To the second group, we say that to be resigned and give up is to acknowledge evil as your master. Clearly that is a poor choice and clearly there are positive, life affirming alternatives. Our keynote speakers are wonderful expamples of what can be accomplished when the heart and mind are unified, when actions taken are for the common good, when the individuals dare to be compassionate, are willing to listen and to act with humility and empathy.
2005
A Call to Conscience: Finding Our Way in A Troubled Time
Featuring Colleen Kelly, Blase Bonpane and Bill Quigley
2006
The Convergence of Hope and History: Sustainable Solutions For A Peaceful World
Featuring Jim Merkel and Jim Jennings
2007
Hope & Resistance: Transforming the Course of History
Featuring Stephen Eric Bronner and Fr. Louis Vitale OFM
2008
Nurturing Peace: The 10th Anniversary Kateri Tekakwitha Peace Conference
Featuring: Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Fr. Roy Bourgeois and Colonel (ret.) Ann Wright
To be continued . . . .