For Indigenous communities around the world, « land, water and food are not mere commodities, but the very basis of life and of these peoples’ bond with nature, » Pope Francis said.
So, defending their rights to land, water and food « is not only a matter of justice, but also a guarantee of a sustainable future for all, » he wrote in a message to the global meeting of the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum at the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
The forum, meeting in Rome Feb. 10-11, brought together representatives of Indigenous communities in every region of the world with government representatives and agriculture experts to focus on « Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination » and how that would provide « a pathway for food security and sovereignty. »
Defending the right of Indigenous communities to preserve their culture and identity « necessarily passes through the recognition of the value of their contribution to society and the preservation of their existence and the natural resources they need to live, » the pope wrote.
But their traditional land, water and food are « seriously threatened by the growth of the grabbing of arable land by multinational corporations, large investors and states, » Francis said. « These are practices that cause harm by jeopardizing the right of communities to live in dignity. »
The goal, the pope said, should be to learn from the Indigenous communities and return to practices that respect « a world in harmony with the beauty and goodness that guided God’s hands in creating it. »
