This month Pia Pagotto contributes her thoughts to our JPIC Newsletter, based on her own experiences, observing that community attitudes towards our First Nation people are gradually changing. Are we detecting a movement of compassionate understanding and acceptance to recognise their rightful place in our nation's history and its future? What can we do to walk with them?
"It is essential to show special care for indigenous communities and their cultural traditions.
They are not merely one minority among others, but should be the principal dialogue partners,
especially when large projects affecting their land are proposed.
For them, land is not a commodity but rather a gift from God and from their ancestors who rest there,
a sacred space with which they need to interact if they are to maintain their identity and values." (#146 Laudato Si)
