WNY & NWPA Commission to Dismantle
Racism and Discrimination

UPCOMING EVENTS

Virtual Workshop Series with the Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg

What does it mean to be Two-Spirit and why are they given a revered role as healers and spiritual leaders? Episcopal Indigenous Ministries speak of “living in right relationship with humanity and all of creation.” What is meant by the theology of relationship? Have you ever reflected on your personal theology of relationship? Join us April 30 and May 28 from 7pm-8:30pm to explore these questions and more.

Thursday, April 30 from 7pm – 8:30 PM
Two-Spirit 101
An introductory exploration into the rich histories, traditions, and contemporary experiences of Two-Spirit people. We’ll cover the basics of Indian Country and explore traditional Two-Spirit roles, as well as similar roles in cultures around the world. Participants will see historic images of Two-Spirit individuals and learn about the impacts of historical trauma, alongside the ongoing processes of renewal and resilience within Two-Spirit communities. We’ll also discuss the personal journeys of coming-in versus coming-out, and the importance of reconciliation and connection with other communities. This session offers a thoughtful, informative, and welcoming space for learning and dialogue.

Thursday, May 28 from 7pm – 8:30 PM
Developing Your Personal Theology: What Is at the Core of Who You Are?
Participants are invited to reflect deeply on the heart of their identity and spirituality. Using tools like the “tree of life” exercise and guided theological reflection, we’ll explore ways to understand and articulate your personal theology. The presentation will also highlight the theology of relationships and wolakota as one approach to living in connection with others. Whether you are just beginning to consider your spiritual framework or seeking to deepen an existing practice, this session offers space for reflection, insight, and growth.

The Reverend Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg (she/her) is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe (Sicangu Nation). She is an Episcopal priest in the diocese of South Dakota. Staff officer for racial reconciliation since 2020, she has been named interim missioner for the Office of Indigenous Ministries. From a cultural perspective, she believes we are all related and, as such, we are all called to be “good relatives” to one another. As a winktè (Lakota Two-Spirit), Shaneequa is called to be a healer and move communities in the direction of positive change. From an academic perspective, she has a Masters of Public Health Degree from the University of Minnesota and Masters of Divinity degree from Church Divinity School of the Pacific. Shaneequa is the Staff Officer for Racial Reconciliation at the Episcopal Church and a member of the Presiding Bishop’s staff. She is passionate about social justice, and working to end the structural oppression/violence that hurts us all. Shaneequa strives to live out her calling through her work, our church, her art, and in her life.

Participation is free. Register HERE
A Zoom link will be shared in the Thank You message you receive upon registering.

Racial Reconciliation

“Reconciliation is the spiritual practice of seeking loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God and one another, and striving to heal and transform injustice and brokenness in ourselves, our communities, institutions and society.”
(from The Episcopal Church’s Racial Reconciliation Team)

Ministry of the Commission and Statement of Guiding Principles

The mission and goals of the Commission are “to promote greater understanding, training and practice of dismantling racism and furthering reconciliation and justice, both by laity and clergy within the Church and the Community.”
Statement of Guiding Principles

Pledge of Faith and Action Against Racial Injustice

I acknowledge and promise to reject injustice stemming from racism and discrimination within my thoughts or actions. I will commit to accomplishing one or more acts of reconciliation as I reflect upon practices aligned with Jesus and beloved community. I will “turn from the powers of sin, hatred, fear, injustice and oppression toward the way of truth, love, hope, justice and freedom.”
Download the 2024 Pledge and resources for fulfilling it.

FEATURED EVENT

IT IS UP TO US – Lunch & Movie

The WNY and NWPA Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination invites you to join us for a LUNCH AND A MOVIE showing of the new documentary film, It Is Up to Us. The movie presents “a brief history of racism in America with hope of promoting equity.” Inspired by Heather McGhee’s The Sum of Us and the 2022 tragic shooting at TOPS grocery store which claimed 10 lives and injured 3, the film traces the impact of racism on society and illustrates why understanding history is critical for our future. The filmmakers stress that documentaries must remain open to new information and avoid propaganda so that viewers are able draw their own conclusions.

We’ll watch the film followed by brief small group reflection. We’ll be joined by the film’s creators: Buffalo-based filmmaker Stephen Rosenthal and stage and screen actor Stephen McKinsley Henderson (Between Riverside and Crazy, Lady Byrd, Civil War, Fences and most recently Netflix’s The Man on the Inside). LUNCH AND A MOVIE concludes with a Q&A session to ask questions, share reflections and think together with the filmmakers about hope for dismantling racism in the future.

We’ll show the film on March 21, 11:am-2:30pm at the Diocesan Ministry Center, 1064 Brighton Rd, Tonawanda NY

The Q&A will alternate questions from each site. Lunch will include vegetarian, gluten-free and non-vegetarian options. The event is free but registration is required by March 18. REGISTER HERE

PAST EVENTS

CREATION CARE AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: A Virtual Series

Economic and industrial development often disregard damaging environmental and health impacts on marginalized communities of color – “progress” for some at the sacrifice of others. This is racism in action. The WNY and NWPA Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination explored issues, past and current, where creation care and racial justice meet in a virtual series in the fall of 2025..

The series began with Unearthing Inequity, the environmental success story of St. Ambrose, an African-American parish located in the Walnut Creek floodplain where the City of Raleigh dumped raw sewage for 70 years. Hear how the Rev. Jemonde Taylor led his congregation in a ministry to clean up the area and create an educational and environmental park.

The second session, The Kinzua Dam, organized by the Rev. Mark Elliston, takes us back to consider the building of the Kinzua Dam which resulted in the flooding and forced removal of the indigeneous people from their homeland.

This was followed by sessions focused on two environmental justice issues happening now. Unheard Voices… NYS and Genesee County Economic Development Corporation continue to move ahead with the STAMP industrial park that threatens habitats in the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the adjacent Tonawanda Senecas Nation’s way of life in the Big Woods. Join Christina Abrams and Grandell Logan of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation to learn about their current campaign to stop proposed data centers on the site.

The series concluded with Buffalo’s Rt. 33, a presentation by The Rev. Stephen Lane, Wayne Blassingame and Dr. Jennifer Roberts, University of Maryland School of Public Health. Buffalo’s Route 33 was built to move traffic quickly in and out of the City. Once a beautiful green parkway, Rt. 33’s opening in 1971 intensified racial segregation in the city and exposed neighborhood residents to hazardous levels of traffic pollution.

All four of these virtual sessions will be available in Spring 2026 to view/download!

Grants

Dismantling Racism & Discrimination Grants

Photos from Past Events

  • Deacon Lillian at Good Shepherd, Buffalo
  • Pastor Steve at the TOPS Prayer Vigil
  • 2024 Pilgrimage to Montgomery, Alabama
  • Pride Day Ecumenical Service at St. Peter’s, Niagara Falls
  • Mercer County, NWPA Underground Railroad Tour
  • Gathering at Regional Adaptive Change Conversation

Commission News & Stories

Membership

WNY
The Rev. Canon Helen Harper (Chair)
Susan Woods (Vice-Chair)
The Rev. Kim Rossi (Recording Secretary )
Denise Clarke-Merriweather (Leadership Team)
The Rev. Matt Lincoln (Leadership Team)
The Hon. Rose Sconiers (Leadership Team)
The Very Rev. Rebecca Barnes 
The Rev. Shawn Clerkin
Michelle Cray
The Rev. Lillian Davis Wilson
Marc Gutierrez 
Latanya Jacob
The Ven. Diana Leiker
Deanna Scharf
The Rev. Ann Tillman

NWPA
The Rev. Canon Stacey Fussell (Vice-Chair)
The Rev. Mark Elliston (Treasurer)
Joseph Croskey
John Ranney
Caleb Raught
Tracey Shliep

To learn more about the commission and its work, email:
The Rev. Canon Helen Harper, Co-Chair WNY
Susan Woods, Vice-Chair
The Rev. Canon Stacey Fussell, Co-Chair NWPA