Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light is committed to becoming a fully multifaith organization actively integrating anti-racism principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We believe that relationships must be centered in justice and equity within the human family, as well as reciprocity and mutuality with all of the natural world. We must strive together toward this sacred goal.
As people of faith, we are called to love our neighbors and to put our faith into action for justice. We recognize that environmental, social, and racial justice are interlinked and that the faith-based movement is strongest when all people can bring their unique strengths and diverse experiences to the table.
Our diverse religious and spiritual traditions call us to work for systemic change and a more just society that embraces differences based on religion, race, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, and economic resources.
As advocates for environmental and climate justice, we commit to working against systemic racism and anti-Blackness; ending both the historic disenfranchisement and racially rooted economic and health disparities of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities; and dismantling structures of racial and economic marginalization and colonialism.
Earth Ministry/WAIPL acknowledges that we work within the unceded territories of Northwest Native nations. Our office is on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present. We commit to resisting erasure of Indigenous histories, following Native leadership, and centering tribal voices.
In our pursuit of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, we also recognize that the impacts of pollution and climate change disproportionately hurt those most vulnerable, including Black, Indigenous, and communities of color; women; poor and economically disadvantaged communities; and the non-human species and ecosystems not able to advocate for themselves.
We are committed to learning and growing as a community and in partnership with others, aware that the path forward may not always be obvious or easy. Earth Ministry/WAIPL will live into this call by making specific, often-reviewed commitments regarding partnerships, policy positions, diversity efforts, training, budgeting, internal processes, and more.
We pledge to listen, acknowledge and address our mistakes, and hold ourselves accountable to these commitments. Together we will work to reverse paradigms of exploitation and oppression as we build a thriving, inclusive, and equitable future on behalf of all who inhabit this good and beloved Earth.
*Why JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) rather than DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion)?
We intentionally chose JEDI to honor the Justice First movement launched by Rev. Leo Woodberry and other Black clergy in the Southeast. This movement, which links climate change and social justice, seeks to dismantle white dominant culture thinking focused on simply broadening the table. Putting “Justice First” addresses underlying oppressions, which then leads to organically occurring diversity, equity, and inclusion. As faith leaders, we commit to following the leadership of our Black colleagues in putting “Justice First,” joining the national Interfaith Power & Light and US Climate Action Networks in embracing JEDI principles.
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Earth Ministry JEDI Commitments
- Native Land Acknowledgement – Acknowledge that the Duwamish are the First People of Seattle and have been stewarding the land on which Earth Ministry’s office is located since time immemorial. Post a Northwest Native nations land acknowledgment on every page of Earth Ministry/WAIPL’s website and give voice to it at all meetings and events. Stand in solidarity by paying monthly Real Rent to support Duwamish Tribal Services. Encourage the Earth Ministry/WAIPL community to learn about and acknowledge the Indigenous histories of the land they occupy.
- Intentional Outreach – Reach out to communities from a range of religious and ethnic backgrounds. Forge authentic relationships grounded in mutual trust, benefit, and connection. Learn about existing work in those communities and offer our programs, resources, and partnership where welcomed and accept when they are not desired. Work together to address barriers to collaboration and identify organizational intersections.
- Coalition-Based Advocacy – Actively participate in coalition spaces that include tribal, communities of color, faith, labor, business, health, and environmental partners and allow these partnerships to influence policy positions and advocacy priorities.
- Amplify Partners’ Efforts – When requested, follow the leadership of NW Native nations and engage the faith community in tribal-led campaigns to protect Native treaty rights, fishing areas, sacred sites, and ways of life. Support the strategic direction of organizations led by people of color and frontline communities most impacted by environmental degradation, climate change, and pollution. Promote and support environmental activities of congregations and institutions of all religious traditions.
- Support BIPOC Leaders and Organizations – Honor the time, experience, and effort of BIPOC leaders by offering honoraria for speaking, writing, or otherwise sharing their expertise with our community. Encourage our donors to also support BIPOC-led and benefiting organizations, including Real Rent Duwamish, Native Daily Network, Na’ah Illahee Fund, Front and Centered, Puget Sound Sage, Got Green, and Social Justice Fund.
- Welcoming Space – Ensure that the Earth Ministry/WAIPL community holds space for differing experiences, perspectives, and approaches. Respect and embrace theological and social diversity and welcome people of any religion, age, race, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic class. Actively reject Christian hegemony and address White Supremacy culture in organizational structures and activities. Create opportunities for feedback that is taken seriously and incorporated into organizational life.
- Inclusive Programs and Communication – Adapt existing materials and programming to reflect more inclusive language and content while honoring distinctions across different faith traditions. Design and implement new programs to engage faith communities in more deeply understanding and responding to issues of racial justice and religious diversity. Broaden acknowledgement of religious holidays and be mindful when scheduling events. Offer programs appealing to many different audiences and highlight the voices of BIPOC and multifaith partners.
- Community Learning – Offer ongoing board, staff, and organization-wide learning opportunities related to racial equity, cultural competency, and multifaith engagement. Do our own work of self-led learning and hire BIPOC and multifaith consultants to guide learning objectives as necessary. Invest in relevant professional development and training. Provide opportunity and encouragement to expand knowledge, understanding, skills, relationships, and community connections related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Board Leadership – Implement recruitment, retention, and support mechanisms so that board membership reflects religious, cultural, and racial diversity. Ensure that board leadership roles, including committee chairs and officer positions, represent this diversity.
- Staff Hiring – Follow hiring practices that promote diversity and support racial equity. Advertise jobs via outlets that attract candidates identifying as BIPOC and from a variety of faith traditions, pay equitable living wages, list salary ranges, eliminate education requirements, and prioritize hiring staff with expertise in multifaith outreach and racial equity work.
- Budget – Develop the budget using a JEDI framework. Create annual budget line item(s) for supporting racial equity and multifaith work, including honoraria, donations, training, and professional development.
- Vendors – Prioritize use of services from businesses run by or supporting BIPOC communities, and support women-owned and union vendors.