New Branches Native Speakers Series 2026 Presents: Reverend Jim Bear Jacobs

Monday, February 23, 2026

Doors Open: 6:00 PM Central, Program (including Q&A): 6:30 PM Central

Light refreshments to follow

New Branches 

5011 31st Ave. S

Minneapolis, MN 55417

Also Streamed Live on YouTube:

Free and open to the public.

More About the Presentation:

The Doctrine of Discovery is based upon Papal bulls, or letters, issued in the fifteenth century by the Vatican to Portugal and Spain. The bulls were used to support colonization of lands as yet “undiscovered” by European nations whose end goal was global domination and dehumanization. The Doctrine of Discovery was also used as a basis for current legal systems in the United States, Canada and other countries that disenfranchise, disadvantage and oppress Natives to this day.

 This is a unique and important opportunity to learn from one of Minnesota’s spiritual and cultural Native leaders about the impacts of what came to be known as the Doctrine of Discovery that continue to this day.

More About the Speaker:

Born in St. Paul, Jim Bear Jacobs is a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation, an American Indian tribe located in central Wisconsin. A sought-after keynote speaker for events like The Overcoming Racism Conference and Coming to the Table National Conference, Jacobs is a thought leader who contributed chapters to the books "Reparations and the Theological Disciplines," "Dialogues on Race," and "Gone for Good." His work is featured in Robert P. Jones' book "The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy" and in the PBS documentary "Religion, Racism and Reconciliation."

 Jacobs is a cultural facilitator in the Twin Cities who works to raise the public’s awareness of American Indian causes and justice. He is founder/convener of “Healing Minnesota Stories,” an initiative dedicated to creating events of dialogue, education, and healing, particularly within faith communities. He is a program director for Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, and member of Washington National Cathedral's "Sacred Spaces: Racial Justice and Spirituality in Action" cohort. Jacobs has a B.A. in Pastoral Studies from North Central University and M.A. in Christian Thought from Bethel Seminary.

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