Highland Avenue Church to host Feb. 29 play about stolen indigenous lands

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin is staging "We Own This Now," a play that will look at love of land, loss of land, and what it means to "own" something.

The performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, in the church sanctuary.

This gripping drama, written by Alison Casella Brookins, pastor of the Chicago Community Mennonite Church, will provide a starting point for further conversation: What does it mean to "own" something? What is the relationship between "owning" and "taking" - and what is the relationship between "ownership" and (taking) responsibility?

"We Own This Now" stars veteran national actors Ted Swartz and Michelle Milne of Ted & Company TheaterWorks.

Using humor and storytelling, the duo will provoke both laughter and reflection to raise an issue of faith and social justice.

The audience will discover alongside the main characters how the "Doctrine of Discovery" is still being used and causing harm today.

This is the 500-year old legal framework that justifies theft of land and oppression of indigenous peoples.

The play, open to the community, will be staged in the sanctuary of the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, 783 W. Highland Ave. in Elgin.

Admission is free, though donations will be accepted.

For complimentary tickets, email the church at office@hacob.org so they will know how many people to expect.

For information, call (847) 741-5124 or go to www.hacob.org.