World Council of Churches

A worldwide fellowship of churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service


Documents related to theology by and advocacy for Indigenous Peoples

Title Description document_owner document_type EffectiveDate
Genesis 12:1–9 “Pilgrimage onto already-settled land”, by Jione Havea Abram’s journey in Genesis 12 as a response to God’s guidance becomes a pilgrimage of blessings. The unnamed destination of his pilgrimage is encountering people and their land. Abram will become a a kind of “platform” of blessings among other peoples and nations, rather than an exemplar of the exercise of power and control over those peoples and their land. As God commissioned Abram to go forth as a source of blessings, God calls us to go in the pilgrimage of blessings. WCC Programmes Study document 13 March 2017
Resolution on outcome of the Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Reconciliation Processes and Indigenous Peoples Truth, Healing and Transformation, 20-21 June 2016 Central Committee Statement: public statement 25 June 2016
Congratulations to newly-elected Church of Norway leaders Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit sent congratulations to the new leaders of the Church of Norway National Council, its Council on Ecumenical and International Relations and the Sami Church Council: Kristin Gunleiksrud Raaum, Rev. Kristine Sandmael, Sara Eira. General Secretary Statement: letter 12 April 2016
Indigenous Peoples’ Programme Reference Group meeting December 2015 Communiqué: What is the medicine we are carrying with us as the Ecumenical movement embarks on a Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace? WCC Programmes Statement: public statement 11 December 2015
3rd International Conference on Minority Issues and Mission Joint Statement by participants of the conference held at the Korean YMCA in Japan. Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) Statement: public statement 21 November 2015
Statement on Indigenous Ecological Spiritualties and Christian Faith Statement on Indigenous Ecological Spiritualties and Christian Faith issued from seminar in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 17-20 August 2015. WCC Programmes Statement: public statement 24 August 2015
Minute on Indigenous Peoples Adopted by the WCC 10th Assembly as part of the Report of the Public Issues Committee. Assembly Statement: minute 08 November 2013
Message from the pre-assembly gathering of Indigenous Peoples A message from the pre-assembly gathering of Indigenous Peoples at the WCC 10th Assembly Assembly Message 29 October 2013
Quakers statement on Doctrine of Discovery By the Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers) approved by the Canadian Yearly Meeting in session on 22 August 2013. Member church 22 August 2013
Advocacy strategies on Indigenous Peoples issues Report of the Consultation on Developing Advocacy Strategies for WCC work on Indigenous Peoples Issues, Church Centre, New York, 21-23 May 2013. WCC Programmes Report 27 June 2013
Letter on Indigenous people’s concerns to Canadian government A letter sent Friday from the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper calls on the Canadian government to “listen carefully” to the concerns of Canada’s Indigenous leaders. General Secretary S 11 January 2013
Reflections on WCC 10th Assembly theme Reflections of the theologians and activists representing the Just and Inclusive Communities Working Group – including the five areas Dalit Solidarity, Global Ecumenical Network on Migration (GEM), Ecumenical Disabilities Advocacy Network (EDAN), Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples, and Churches Overcoming racism, who met in Toronto, Canada, between 24-29 November 2012 under the theme: On the Way to Busan: Contributions from the Just and Inclusive Communities programme to the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in 2013. WCC Programmes M 06 December 2012
Indigenous theologians' reflections on the WCC 10th Assembly theme Reflections of theologians representing the Ao and Chang Naga, Aymara, Igorot, Maori, Maya, Mizo, Quecha, Santal, and Turtle Island, who met at Yu-Shan Theological College and Seminary, Hualien, Taiwan from 17-29 September 2012. WCC Programmes Study document 29 September 2012
V. Minute of support for the Indigenous Peoples of Australia Minute of support for the Indigenous Peoples of Australia, adopted as part of the Report of the Public Issues Committee by the World Council of Churches Central Committee. Central Committee S 04 September 2012
I. Statement on re-inscription of French Polynesia (Maohi Nui) on UN List of Countries to be Decolonized Statement on the re-inscription of French Polynesia (Maohi Nui) on the United Nations List of Countries to be Decolonized, adopted as part of the Report of the Public Issues Committee by the World Council of Churches Central Committee. Central Committee S 04 September 2012
Maria Chavez Quispe Tribute to Maria Phaxsi Chavez Quispe, 1975-2012, renowned biblical scholar and consultant for the WCC Indigenous Peoples programme General Secretary Tribute 26 July 2012
Tribute to H.H. Pope Shenouda III Condolence letter to the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church General Secretary Tribute 18 March 2012
Speech at St Andrews, Presbyterian Church, Toronto In a series of visits to the Toronto offices of WCC member churches in Canada, and in a lecture and panel discussion on the evening of Wednesday 14 March, the WCC general secretary, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, explored contemporary hopes and challenges in the pursuit of Christian unity. General Secretary Lecture - Speech 14 March 2012
Message from conference in Hofgeismar, Germany Message from the conference on "Violence in the Name of God? Joshua in changing contexts" in Hofgeismar, Germany, 23 to 27 February, 2012 WCC Programmes Message 27 February 2012
Statement on the Situation in Tanah Papua (Indonesia) The WCC Executive Committee expresses its deep concern for the deteriorating situation regarding human rights violations in Tanah Papua. Executive committee Statement: public statement 17 February 2012
Statement on the doctrine of discovery and its enduring impact on Indigenous Peoples Indigenous Peoples have the oldest living cultures in the world. Three hundred to five hundred million Indigenous Peoples today live in over 72 countries around the world, and they comprise at least 5,000 distinct peoples. The ways of life, identities, well-being and very existence of Indigenous People are threatened by the continuing effects of colonization and national policies, regulations and laws that attempt to force them to assimilate into the cultures of majoritarian societies. A fundamental historical basis and legal precedent for these policies and laws is the "Doctrine of Discovery", the idea that Christians enjoy a moral and legal right based solely on their religious identity to invade and seize indigenous lands and to dominate Indigenous Peoples. Executive committee Statement: public statement 17 February 2012
Christian self-understanding in the context of indigenous religions Between 6 -9 February 2012 a consultation exploring ‘Christian self understanding in the context of indigenous religions’ was convened at the Evangelical High School of Theological Studies (ISEDET), Buenos Aires, Argentina. The consultation was organised by the World Council of Churches’ Programme for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation, working in partnership with CLAI (the Latin American Council of Churches), and with valued assistance from FAIE (the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches in Argentina) and the Anglican Diocese of Argentina. The consultation was one of a series that the WCC has organised in recent years, exploring Christian self understanding in the context of a specific other religion or religious tradition. WCC Programmes S 09 February 2012
AGAPE Consultation: There's a new world in the making This document arises from the North American consultation on poverty, wealth and ecology sponsored by the World Council of Churches and held in Calgary, Alberta from 6 to 11 November 2011. This consultation that included representatives from Christian confessions in Canada and the United States of America along with representatives from other ecumenical organizations and local and global ecumenical partners took place at a time of deep global financial crisis and people’s resistance around the world. It is directed to the World Council of Churches, its member churches and partner organizations and all who share in the ideals and goals of this conference. WCC Programmes M 11 November 2011
Minute on Peace and Security in South Asia Public statement by the WCC Executive Committee at its meeting held 12-16 September in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Executive committee S 16 September 2011
GPTR 2010 Aide memoire Aide memoire of the Global Platform for Theological Reflection meeting in Bucharest, Romania, 4-10 October 2010. WCC Programmes Report 08 June 2011
Statement on the Situation of Indigenous Peoples of Australia The WCC Central Committee, meeting in Geneva 16-22 February 2011, approved this Statement on Indigenous Peoples in Australia. Central Committee Statement: public statement 22 February 2011
Statement on the Situation in Colombia The WCC Central Committee, meeting in Geneva 16-22 February 2011, approved this Statement on Colombia. Central Committee S 22 February 2011
Indigenous Theologians Network in Dialogue with the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism Statement of Indigenous theologians from different parts of the world, who met in the city of La Paz, Bolivia, on their dialogue with the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism, the mission among indigenous people and the preservation of both traditional and Christian spiritualities. WCC Programmes Statement: public statement 27 January 2011
Indigenous Theologians Network in conversation with Faith and Order Statement of Indigenous theologians from different parts of the world, who met in the city of La Paz, Bolivia, on networking with the Commission on Faith and Order and its various working areas. WCC Programmes S 27 January 2011
Affirming a spirituality that gives life to all Statement of Indigenous theologians from different parts of the world, who met in the city of La Paz, Bolivia, for dialogue and exchange of knowledge on issues around spirituality. WCC Programmes S 27 January 2011
Global Platform for Theological Reflection 2010 Report of the Global Platform for Theological Reflection meeting in Bucharest, Romania, 4-10 October 2010. WCC Programmes Report 15 October 2010
Sources and Resources of Indigenous Theologies Report of the Indigenous Theologians meeting in Geneva, October 2009 WCC Programmes Report 13 October 2010
Living Letters visit to Australia At the invitation of the National Council of Churches of Australia and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission to the WCC a team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Christians have come as a Living Letter to the Aboriginal Peoples of the Northern Territory in Australia. WCC Programmes Report 17 September 2010
UNAW Report 2009 Annex III: Prayer Resources United Nations Advocacy Week Opening Prayer, Monday Morning Prayer: Climate Displaced Peoples, Tuesday Morning Prayer: Indigenous Peoples Rights, Wednesday Morning Prayer: Colombia, Thursday Morning Prayer, Closing Prayer Commission on International Affairs Liturgical text 14 May 2010
UNAW Report 2009 Annex II: Speaker Presentations, Section B Climate Displaced Peoples Session, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Session, Colombia Session, Closing Keynote: theologian and activist Commission on International Affairs Report 14 May 2010
UNAW Report 2009 Annex II: Speaker Presentations, Section A Keynote II: Charge and Challenge to the Churches the Churches; Thematic Priority I: Climate Displaced Peoples. Commission on International Affairs Report 14 May 2010
Report: Churches Together to Transform the World The CCIA convened its 5th United Nations Advocacy Week (UNAW) on 15-20 November 2009 in New York City. Commission on International Affairs Report 14 May 2010
Ecumenical declaration at World People's Conference on Climate Change This declaration, entitled "Listening to the cries of Mother Earth, was presented on Earth Day, 22 April 2010, at the World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth in Cochabamba, Bolivia, by a coalition of ecumenical organizations including the WCC. Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) M 22 April 2010
Minute on violence on Colombia This minute on violence in Colombia has been adopted by the executive committee, meeting in Geneva, 23-26 February 2010. Executive committee S 26 February 2010
Rio report - Re-visioning justice from the margins Report of a continuing conversation among theologians representing the concerns of people living with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, Dalits and those struggling against racism, on churches becoming and effecting just and inclusive communities, August 2008. WCC Programmes Report 11 November 2009
Asia-Pacific Indigenous Peoples' Hearing on Poverty, Wealth and Ecology Statement from the Asia-Pacific Indigenous Peoples' Hearing at the AGAPE Consultation in Thailand, November 2009. Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) 05 November 2009
Ecclesial and Social Visions of Indigenous Peoples Consultation Report Around 35 theologians and leaders representing communities, churches and organizations of indigenous peoples in 16 countries in many parts of the world attended a consultation from 21-26 October, 2008 in Baguio City, Philippines. This consultation was called in response to a proposal by the Ninth General Assembly of the WCC to facilitate the theological contributions of indigenous peoples to enrich the life and work of the WCC. In solidarity with the struggles of the largest indigenous peoples' population in Asia, Baguio City in the Philippines was chosen as the context for this theological conversation. WCC Programmes R 24 June 2009
Report of the March 2009 CCIA meeting The second meeting of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA), following the 2006 Porto Alegre Assembly took place in Cuba from 15-20 March 2009. Commission on International Affairs R 19 June 2009
Message from the Doorn conference Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) S 17 June 2009
Letter to Peruvian President García General Secretary S 09 June 2009
Joint Declaration of Indigenous Churches at UN Forum Speaking on behalf of the World Council of Churches as well as indigenous church representatives from the Americas, Asia and Australia, William Chela presented a declaration at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues calling for recognition of the right to life, not only for people, but for Mother Earth, too. WCC Programmes Statement: public statement 21 May 2009
Statement from the International Consultation on the Ecclesial and Social Visions of the Indigenous Peoples Statement of solidarity with the indigenous peoples and condemnation of the enforced disappearance of James Balao WCC Programmes S 26 October 2008
AGAPE Consultation: Guatemala indigenous peoples' statement Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) S 07 October 2008
Statement on the human rights situation in the province of Papua, Indonesia WCC Programmes S 14 March 2008
La Paz report - Just and inclusive communities Representing the experiences, perspectives and visions of different excluded groups, a select group of 25 theologians from many parts of the world gathered in La Paz, Bolivia during May 2007, perhaps for the first time, to articulate their visions of the world and the church. Their attempt was to identify the possible thematic directions for the new programme - Just and Inclusive Communities - that brings together WCC's ongoing work in the areas of Overcoming racism, Ecumenical Disabilities Advocates Network, Indigenous Peoples and Dalit Solidarity. WCC Programmes R 03 May 2007
Statement on Latin America Central Committee A 23 February 2006
Indigenous statement Indigenous Peoples, men and women, are the voice of the land, the voice of the water, the voice of the air. We are the hope of the future. Indeed our hope is renewed to be meeting in what is now called South America where Indigenous peoples are reasserting their identity and making their voices heard. Assembly Statement: public statement 14 February 2006
Congratulations to Evo Morales on election as President of Bolivia Letter to H.E. Mr Evo Morales, President of the Republic of Bolivia, 31 January 2006 General Secretary Statement: letter 31 January 2006
Expression of concern for state of crisis in Bolivia General Secretary S 03 June 2005
GEN/PUB 5 Second report of the Public Issues committee Table of contents: Introduction Minute on economic measures for peace in Israel/Palestine Human rights and languages of indigenous peoples Countries affected by the tsunami International Criminal Court Detainees held at Guantanamo Bay Iraq crisis: enhancing peace, accountability and the rule of law Practising hospitality in an era of new forms of migration Central Committee 22 February 2005
Human rights and languages of indigenous peoples Central Committee S 21 February 2005
Appeal for peace based on justice General Secretary S 19 October 2003
Walking together towards tomorrow WCC Programmes B 01 January 2003
Appeal from Indigenous Peoples WCC Programmes M 01 January 2003
Being church and overcoming racism: It's time for transformative justice Presented at the Plenary on Being Church and Overcoming Racism of the WCC Central Committee meeting in 2002. Central Committee Report 27 June 2002
Statement presented to the media by Archbishop Desmond Tutu on behalf of the Ecumenical Caucus World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, Durban, South Africa, 26 August - 7 September 2001 Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) Statement: public statement 05 September 2001
Oral statement of the Ecumenical Caucus to the plenary session World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, Durban, South Africa, 26 August - 7 September 2001 Wider ecumenical movement (incl WCC) Statement: public statement 05 September 2001
Background paper submitted to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights The CCIA, against the background of more than fifty years of work against racism and its effects, notably through the WCC Program to Combat Racism, has submitted comments for consideration in the drafting of the Draft Declaration and Programme of Action. Commission on International Affairs Background document 15 August 2001
Intervention to the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations WCC Programmes M 27 July 2001
Review of Developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of Indigenous Peoples Joint Working Group S 27 July 2001
List of major meetings: 1969-2001 WCC programme on Interreligious dialogue and cooperation WCC Programmes Background document 01 February 2001
Statement from Pacific Indigenous People's workshop WCC Programmes M 14 September 2000
Dossier: Understanding racism today A revised and expanded version of a dossier produced for the WCC Harare Assembly, 1998 WCC Programmes Background document 31 December 1998
Dalit Solidarity Peoples (DSP): the vision WCC Programmes B 01 September 1998