The Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle has released a statement entitled “Message of support from Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle on the occasion of the UN 2019 Year of Indigenous Language.” The Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle is a Canadian Catholic coalition of Indigenous people, bishops, clergy, members of lay movements and male and female institutes of consecrated life that seeks to renew and foster relations between the Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Development and Peace – Caritas Canada is a member of the coalition.
This open Letter to all Canadians affirms the major significance of language in the revitalization of Indigenous cultures and expresses a commitment to finding ways to support this vital aspect of reconciliation. The restoration of Indigenous languages has been identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada as a key element in reconciliation.
The recent Synod of Bishops on the Pan-Amazon region also highlighted the importance of respecting the cultural values of Indigenous peoples, including their language, and is encouraging processes of interculturality in the Church and society. You can read more about Development and Peace and its partners at the Synod here.
The circle has also released a video to accompany the statement.
