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Theme: Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures
(Image by Yuri Rodriguez Rodriguez, Pixabay)
While AI can support cultural revitalization, youth empowerment, and even adaptation to climate change, it often reinforces bias, exclusion, and misrepresentation towards Indigenous Peoples.
Most AI systems are built without Indigenous input, risking the misuse of their data, knowledge, and identities.
Besides, massive data centers can also impact Indigenous lands, resources, and ecosystems. This is a new issue added to the barriers to accessing new technologies, especially in rural areas, excluding Indigenous from full participation in AI-related processes.
To unlock AI’s full potential, Indigenous Peoples must be respected as rights-holders, co-creators, and decision-makers. Meaningful inclusion, data sovereignty, and culturally grounded innovation are key to ensuring AI empowers their communities.
This International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples will put a spotlight on this through its theme, Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures.
Spread the word! Let’s leave no one behind.
By: Christopher Cox, Seventh Generation Interfaith Coalition for Responsible Investment
Inspired by Leo XIII’s foundational encyclical Rerum Novarum, our latest post challenges Catholic investors to translate Catholic Social Teaching into transformative shareholder engagement. Learn how faith-rooted stewardship can drive sustainable, ethical investment strategies and honor the dignity of workers everywhere.
In 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued Rerum Novarum, the landmark encyclical that laid the cornerstone of modern Catholic Social Teaching. More than a century later, its principles—fair wages, safe conditions, and the right to organize—remain vital. Today, Catholic investors face a renewed moral imperative to uphold these values in a rapidly changing economy.
A New Pope Leo for a New Industrial Revolution
When Pope Leo XIV chose his papal name at his election in May, he signaled a renewed commitment to defend human dignity in the face of new threats and opportunities. In his address to the College of Cardinals, he said:
“Sensing myself called to continue in this same path, I chose to take the name Leo XIV. There are different reasons for this, but mainly because Pope Leo XIII in his historic Encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution. In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.”
We congratulate Sr. Maxine on her retirement after 20+ years shepherding the Oblate La Vista Ecological Ministry in Godfrey, Illinois.
As some of you may already know, I am transitioning from this ministry at La Vista Ecological Learning Center into the future, I want to paraphrase my favorite John Burroughs’ quote. I begin with his words:
“If I had my life to live over again and I had my choice of celestial bodies, I am sure I should take this planet, and I should choose these men and women for my friends and companions. This great rolling sphere with its sky, its stars, its sunrises and sunsets, and with its outlook into infinity – what could be more desirable? What more satisfying?…one might ransack the heavens in vain for a better or more picturesque abode”.
“If I had my life to live over again, and I had my choice of ecological ministries, I am sure I should pick
La Vista Ecological Learning Center, and I should choose these many faithful volunteers, passionate participants, and responsive eNews readers for my friends and companions. The novitiate land with its vista from the bluffs, with its Nature Preserve and Pollinator Garden; this office with its memories of innumerable discussion groups, programs and meetings, where is there a more desirable place? The opportunity to work with the JPIC Office Team led by Fr
Séamus Finn, OMI to teach and learn with OMI novices from around the world, and to connect with so many Oblate priests and brothers, what could be more enriching and satisfying? Marking each season for twenty years with equinox and solstice celebrations, what could be more grounding and enjoyable? I might ransack our rare and precious planet in vain for a better ministry and more wonderful colleagues.”
With an abundance of gratitude,
Sister Maxine Pohlman, SSND
We are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For
On Sunday, July 13, Fr. Anthony Rigoli, OMI joined grassroots and civic groups at Dillard University, in New Orleans, LA for a citywide assembly to ratify a non-partisan platform for the upcoming City elections.
The assembly marked a milestone in labor solidarity, with representation from six trades unions. Their presence reinforced the collective voice of working families and underscored our shared commitment to economic dignity and equity for all New Orleanians.
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The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) took place in Sevilla, Spain from 30 June – 3 July 2025. The conference was the culmination of a yearlong process to renew the financing framework for achieving the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It brought together political and financial leaders, representatives of multilateral and regional institutions, civil society and academia to seek solutions to the development financing challenges threatening the achievement of sustainable development, especially in the countries of the global South.
Fr. Daniel LeBlanc, OMI joined VIVAT International and other civil society groups in critical discussions on transforming economic systems that perpetuate inequality.
(PHOTOS: courtesy of VIVAT International )
LEARN MORE:
SOUTH CENTRE:
https://bit.ly/4lNcuII. — Renewed Financing Framework for Sustainable Development is adopted in Sevilla
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The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) took place in Sevilla, Spain from 30 June – 3 July 2025. The conference was the culmination of a yearlong process to renew the financing framework for achieving the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
