Pope John Paul II

“Unjust economic policies are especially damaging to indigenous peoples, young nations and their traditional cultures; and it is the Church's task to help indigenous cultures preserve their identity and maintain their traditions.”

There are more than 370 million

Indigenous Peoples living in some 90 countries around the world.

Indigenous Peoples make up roughly 5% of the world’s population, but approximately 15% of the world’s poor.

The poverty and marginalisation of Indigenous Peoples is not limited to developing country contexts…

…In developed countries, like Australia and Canada, Indigenous Peoples consistently fall behind the non-indigenous population when it comes to most indicators of well-being, including health, literacy rates, and employment opportunities.

“What has been done cannot be undone. But what can now be done to remedy the deeds of yesterday must not be put off till tomorrow.”

1986 visit to Alice Springs

There is no universally accepted definition of ‘Indigenous Peoples’

The term ‘Indigenous Peoples’ refer to communities which share a number of common characteristics, such as:

a)self-identification and acceptance at individual and community levels

b)historical continuity with pre-colonial societiesc) strong links to territories and natural

resourcesd)and distinct social, spiritual, political, legal or

economic systems.

Catholic Social Teaching and the global picture of injustice.

The voices from Caritas Australia partners.

The voices of Indigenous Peoples as expressed in ILO Convention 169 (1989) &

the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007)

Bolivia - Caritas Australia’s Partner, CINEP, is working with the Yuracaré and Yuqui groups through an Ethno Eco Tourism program in the Bolivian Amazon. These communities are now creating more sustainable incomes, preserving their traditional culture and defending their natural resources.

Bangladesh - Caritas Australia supports Indigenous (Adivasi) communities in the Dinajpur region of northern Bangladesh to protect their land from ‘land grabbers’ and increase their access to education and employment opportunities.

Australia - In the Central Australian desert country, Caritas Australia, through its partner, Tjanpi Desert Weavers, is supporting more than 300 weavers from 28 communities in helping to maintain the Aboriginal desert weaving culture and create culturally appropriate employment opportunities to provide sustainable incomes.

Watch the Walk As One film with your class

Use the educational materials

Hold a Walk As One liturgy

Support students to take action

Develop a school Reconciliation Action Plan

Film

Screening guide

Lesson suggestions

Liturgy

Campaign Report

FAQs

Walk As One Quiz

All available at: www.caritas.org.au/walkasone

• Richard Wainwright

www.caritas.org.au/walkasone