Caring for Indigenous People is also our Mission

The Holy Father Francis constantly calls and reminds us of our responsibility to care for our common home – Mother Earth. Among the many concerns that we are facing, is the existence of our brothers and sisters who are at times left behind by society. An old adage once said, ‘The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.’ The presence of our brethren – the Indigenous Peoples (IP) – in our society is not so much visible in the eyes of the many for they are living in their respective ancestral domains. However, their invisibility helps us realize that we are not the only lone rangers in our land for we have them and we have our responsibility to always keep in touch with them.

Upon acknowledging the presence of our IP brothers and sisters, the Church has conducted a yearly event which started in 1978 by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. The CBCP has accepted and declared the second Sunday of October as Indigenous People’s Sunday formerly Tribal Filipino Sunday, which aims to call attention to the plight of the IPs who are often exploited and discriminated in the society. (CBCP News)

Having been exposed to the IP communities in Little Baguio, Malita, Davao Occidental, and in Malabog, Paquibato District, we are privileged enough to learn and to live with them even in a short span of time. Their ways of living and how they relate with one another kept on reminding us that without the other we are not capable of anything. They believe God summarizes their way of life even in a simple way. Entering into a deeper knowledge of them will bring you to a realization that even how difficult life is, happiness prevails together with their family. What matters most to them is that they’re able to accomplish what they can do for the day and let God’s providence lead them on the next day.

In one of our conversations with them, many expressed their gratitude to the government for assisting them with their needs, especially for giving their young people an opportunity to finish their studies through scholarship programs. Even the Local Church has given them such opportunities. They were even encouraged to become more united so as to make their communities grow for the future of their young. Through the help of some people, who know their situation, and their Datu, our IP brothers and sisters were able to continue to face their daily endeavors. Some of them hope that their communities may continue to develop and that their union and cooperation will last longer.

As we celebrate the Indigenous People Sunday may we continue to appreciate them and treasure their cultures and traditions for these are what make them truly unique and genuine. Thus, let us include them in our prayers as we journey together and as we continue to care for our Mother Earth. (Sem. Aries Infiesto & Sem. Resty Cabahug)