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On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Day, September 30, Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) expresses its solidarity with Indigenous peoples in Canada and honours residential school survivors, their families, and the children who were never able to return home. CJI recognizes the devastating and inter-generational impacts of Canada’s residential school system and reaffirms its commitment to truth and reconciliation. It also joins calls for the full implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. As an international social justice organization, CJI supports projects in the Global South that support Indigenous peoples protect their lands, preserve their languages and cultures, and affirms their human rights, including self-determination. CJI also supports Indigenous-led peacebuilding efforts, and Indigenous women's leadership in Latin America, among others. Its Jesuit partners include the AC Indigenous Rights Centre (CEDIAC) in Chiapas, Mexico, which promotes conflict resolution through Indigenous reconciliation systems. CJI recognizes that Indigenous peoples hold traditional ecological knowledge critical to environmental protection. The Jesuit-based Solidarity Network of the Indigenous Apostolate helps protect our common home and supports Indigenous women leaders defending ancestral territories and cultures throughout Latin America. Photo by Tandem X Visuals on Unsplash/ Stuffed toys and shoes are laid out on the steps of Saskatchewan's Legislative Building in Regina to remember residential schools children who never made it back home.

Around 40 Indigenous young people from Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico concluded their regional gathering in Cusco with a resolve to “build on the foundations” established by their ancestors and to “forge new paths towards ‘Buen Vivir’ (Good Living) in order to nurture and protect their communities and territories. CJI Outreach Coordinator Juan Camilo Poveda attended the assembly, which was organized by CJI Jesuit partners Indigenous Solidarity and Apostolate Network (RSAI) of the Conference of Jesuit Provincials in Latin America and the Caribbean (CPAL) and the Pan-Amazonian Jesuit Service (SJPAM). During the meeting held September 21 to 25, young people identified issues affecting them and their communities, including racism, discrimination and sexual violence; the devastating impact of hydroelectric power stations and extractive industries; the loss of language and culture; a lack of opportunities, and the effects of social media and AI. However, they also identified “seeds and fruits” that offer hope. CLICK LINK IN BIO to read full story.

On the International Day for Universal Access to Information, September 28, Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) stands behind the right of everyone to seek, receive and provide timely and accurate information that will enable them to participate fully in society. CJI highlights the role that ERIC-Radio Progreso, its Jesuit partner in Honduras, plays in empowering rural poor communities through research, reflection, and communication. ERIC-Radio Progreso’s slogan is “the voice that is with you.” It means being a voice “that does not replace the voice of the community, or of the people, but rather makes that voice be heard, and allows itself to be challenged,” said Fr. German Rosa, SJ, its director. ERIC-Radio Progreso has been a rare, independent voice for the poor and marginalized in Honduras, where powerful and vested interests control the media. It has helped educate Hondurans about their human rights and exposed corruption, electoral fraud, environmental threats, narco-trafficking, and militarization. As the result of their work, some staff have suffered grave consequences in the form of death threats; others have paid with their lives for their commitment to truth and democracy. This year’s theme is “Universal Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The role of access to information in addressing information disorder.” It focuses on “how access to reliable official information, proactive disclosure, media and information literacy, credible data and digital technologies can contribute to a healthier information environment.” This day also recognizes the importance of freedom of the press and the critical role that credible news media play in informing the public about issues that affect them, their communities, and the larger world they live in.

CJI Outreach Coordinator Juan Camilo Poveda captured some moments at the Regional Meeting of Young People from Indigenous Peoples of Latin America being held in Andahuaylillas, Cusco, Peru: We spent the day outside getting to know the territory that is welcoming us and learning about the rich history of the Incas and contemporary Quechua people. We visited some sacred historic sites like Chinchero and Pisaq. I spent a lot of time with the group on the bus, listening to their stories. One young person from Ecuador said that he hadn’t realized there were Indigenous peoples outside his own country before coming to the gathering. There were lots of fun games. I am learning a lot from the Brazilian delegation, with whom I am spending a lot of time talking and translating.

CJI Outreach Coordinator Juan Camilo Poveda shared the following account of his second day at the Regional Meeting of Young People from Indigenous Peoples of Latin America being held in Cusco, Peru: “The day started with a ritual led by the Guatemalan delegation, a Mayan Altar. The regional groups presented their group work from Monday - the challenges they experience but also the sources of strength; namely knowing their territories, languages and traditions. There were two more rounds of group work. The first was on a theme of “choice of vital importance.” Most groups chose to talk about defence of the territory; others discussed youth participation. Each group discussed what elders, adults, and young people say about their chosen themes, and what practices and values have empowered communities through generations. The groups also talked about the changes they have witnessed in their territories and how they have been affected by them. The second round invited groups to talk about a broader range of issues and asked for their input on ways their communities are addressing them and what still needs to be done. We closed the day of work with a Mayan prayer. We then had a cultural night, an “Abya Yala’s Got Talent” session, where people shared their talents, dances and songs.”

Last weekend, CJI Executive Director Jenny Cafiso and International Programs Coordinator Juan Emilio Hernandez crossed the border from Haiti into the Dominican Republic, where they were warmly welcomed by Fr. Osvaldo Concepción, SJ, director of Centro Montalvo, a Jesuit-led organization and CJI partner. In La Rosa, in the municipality of Restauración, they met Marimenda—a migrant leader supporting women’s and farmers’ groups, as well as a community greenhouse. She is also defending her territory against the proposed Neita mining project, linked to Canadian company. Community advocates warn that mining in this border region could threaten shared water systems, including the Artibonite River, with serious environmental, social, and public-health consequences. Jenny and Juan also visited a community living with the devastating impacts of mining waste. Residents described losing access to safe drinking water and facing harm to their health, animals, and land contamination. Their struggle, ongoing since 2011, remains a powerful example of community resistance against extractive industries. They ended their visit to the Dominican Republic by meeting with the team at Centro Montalvo, whose work advances social justice, human rights, migration advocacy, environmental action, youth leadership, and community-based research. CJI is supporting a Centro Montalvo project, Climate Justice: Community Action Against Extractivism. Learn more about Centro Montalvo: Click link in bio.

The regional meeting of young people from Indigenous communities in Latin America, hosted by the Indigenous Solidarity and Apostolate Network (RSAI) of the Conference of Jesuit Provincials in Latin America and the Caribbean (CPAL), a CJI partner, is now underway in Cusco, Peru. CJI Outreach Coordinator Juan Camilo Poveda is attending the assembly, which aims to understand the current realities of Indigenous young people "through their own voices." The process of consultation will include moments and spaces for reflection, conversations and other forms of participation. "The purpose is to gather intergenerational perspectives on identity, cultural changes, community life, current challenges, and expectations about the future of the territories," said RSAI.

On the International Day of Peace, Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) highlights the role played by its Jesuit partners in promoting a culture of safety, dignity, respect for human rights, and cooperation. In Chiapas, Mexico, the Indigenous Rights Centre (CEDIAC) is training Tseltal communities in Indigenous normative system and leadership to strengthen peace and stability their communities. This means following traditional practices of governance, including conflict resolution. The CJI-supported initiative combines a diploma course in Indigenous normative system, coordinated meetings among social, political, and church actors, and youth-led actions to strengthen access to justice within the community. In a region deeply affected by violence and institutional breakdown, these efforts help restore the social fabric by reaffirming Tseltal values and traditions. Young participants describe the workshops as transformative, motivating them to take on leadership roles and share their knowledge. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres reminds us in his message marking this day, “peace isn’t just built in conference rooms—it is shaped by everyone, everywhere, every day.” This year’s theme, Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day, “ honours the 'everyday architects of peace'—people driving local action, laying the groundwork for stability, and building a lasting peace from the ground up.”