Colombia: the archdiocese of Popayán highlights the ancestral wealth of indigenous peoples on their international day

As every August 9, the International Day of Indigenous Peoples is commemorated, from the Pastoral of Indigenous Peoples of the archdiocese of Popayán in Colombia, a message was shared that reclaims the dignity, memory, and cultural wealth of indigenous communities, as well as their contribution to the preservation of creation.

Luis Ariel Fisqué, delegate of the Pastoral of Indigenous Peoples of the archdiocese of Popayán and member of the Pastoral of Indigenous Peoples of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (Celam), stated that this commemoration represents an opportunity to recognize the history, resistance, and invaluable legacy of indigenous peoples in Latin America and the world.

The International Day of Indigenous Peoples, proclaimed by the United Nations in 1994, is a call to recognize the contribution of these communities and an invitation to work on the major challenges that lead to overcoming inequalities, including discrimination, access to education, health, and protection of their territories, among others.

In this context, Fisqué emphasized that the commemoration also constitutes an opportunity to strengthen the historical memory of indigenous peoples and reaffirm the value of territory and identity as the foundations of their existence. "This day means remembering where we come from, where we are, and where we are going. It is returning to the origin to understand our history and strengthen the path of our peoples," he stated.

As he explained, Latin America is home to around 800 indigenous peoples, which gather about 58 million people and keep their languages, traditions, ancestral knowledge, and forms of community organization alive. "We are many peoples, with different customs and languages, but united by our identity as indigenous peoples", he asserted.

In his speech, he emphasized that International Day of Indigenous Peoples is also a tribute to the ancestral knowledge that has given identity to the indigenous communities. In his message, he also expressed his gratitude "to the eternal God" for the existence and continuity of these communities.

Caldono, in the southwest of the country, will be the meeting point for the indigenous communities of Cauca called by the archdiocese of Popayán to commemorate this date with a day of fraternity, identity, and cultural manifestations.

The celebratory activities will include a parade through the main streets of the municipality with musical and cultural expressions own, followed by a solemn Eucharist at the parish of San Lorenzo Deacon and Martyr, a patron deeply revered by the indigenous communities of the region.

The program will continue with cultural displays, messages from the communities, and a fraternal sharing, on the eve of the patronal feast of San Lorenzo. This celebration reaffirms the Church's commitment to accompany and make visible the life, dignity, and hope of the indigenous peoples.

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