When we, as Dominican Sisters of Peace, enrolled in the Land Justice Futures (LJF) cohort for two years of study, processing, and planning, we went in with a learner’s mindset – open and curious.  Because we wanted to actually apply our learnings, we chose Heartland Farm as a pilot project. 

As a part of the LJF process, we desired to meet and begin relating with the original inhabitants of the land we now ministered in. Pauline Sharp had given programs in Central Kansas on the Kaw Nation and invited us to meet her in Wichita whenever possible.  Our LJF Team of Srs. Jane, Gemma, Susan and Terri, decided to make a trip to Kansas to coincide with the gathering of our other Ecology Centers’ staffs at Heartland Farm. 

Unknown to us, it was the same weekend when the Alter Native Film Festival was scheduled at the MidAmerica All Indian Museum in Wichita.  The featured film was “The Return of the Red Rock,” which brought the film producers and other Kaw leaders to town. We met Pauline Sharp, our hostess, and Jim Pepper Henry, as well as the producers of the film.  Pauline is from Wichita and is involved with the Kaw Nation Cultural Committee. She is also the Granddaughter of Chief Lucy, the first woman chief of the Kaw.  Jim Pepper Henry is from Oklahoma City and is President of the Kansa Heritage Society. 

The Spirit also led us to invite Sr. Imelda to join our group.  Imelda had befriended Johnny McCauley in the early days of Heartland Farm.  He was the second-to-last full-blooded Kaw and passed away about 30 years ago.

At our breakfast meeting, Imelda began to share stories of Johnny at the Farm.  The dynamics went from cool business to warm curiosity, which led us all to discover significant connections.  Jim deeply regarded Johnny as an elder and for preserving the Kaw language.  Our animated and organic conversation went deeper than we could have dreamed.

From Jim and Pauline, we Sisters learned about the Kaw Nation, the reservation in Washunga, Oklahoma and the 95% of the Kaw Tribe who live outside of the reservation.  Other learnings include:
1) The Kansa (Kaw) have an interest in re-establishing a presence in Kansas via a land trust near an economically productive area to ensure livelihood for their people
2) The Kaw are not particularly interested in “land back” in a patchwork pattern.  If “land back” is an option, they request no restrictions on the land.
3) The Kaw are looking for space to pass on to their youth Kaw language, culture, and traditions.

The Kaw are challenged by the broad spread of 95% of Tribal Members.  Our Sisters also live in various geographic areas, and yet our Dominican values rooted us into a new Dominican community.  Pauline and Jim were intrigued by our process of forming a Union, the Dominican Sisters of Peace, and how we created a new identity.  Jim said to Pauline, “Maybe we could do with our people some of what they do in their congregation?” 

We were surprised and humbled at this, given our recent understanding of the devastating impact of the Doctrine of Discovery on Indigenous Peoples and our symbolic identifications with forced displacement and loss of tribal language and culture. 

Spirit’s gift was opening the door into a possibility of mutuality and reciprocity.  We both expressed a desire to continue to dream together about what might be. 

Then the Spirit put our feet to the ground as we reverently visited Allegawaho Park in Council Grove and touched In zhΰjẻ waxỏbe, the Sacred Red Rock.  Indeed, this was walking on holy ground, breathing holy air.