“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:
self-identification and acceptance at individual and
community levels
b) historical continuity with pre-colonial societies
c) strong links to territories and natural resources
d) and distinct social, spiritual, political, legal or
economic systems.
a)

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