In September 1985, at the 25th anniversary celebration of the World Wildlife Fund in Assisi, Italy, an extraordinary event unfolded at the Convent of St. Francis. The occasion marked the first international gathering where leaders from major world religions—Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism—converged with prominent environmentalists to deliberate on our global family's pressing environmental issues.
During this pivotal meeting, my beloved brother, Chief Leonard George, and I had the distinct honor of engaging with luminaries such as Prince Philip, Thor Heyerdahl, Sir Edmund Hillary, and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, alongside spiritual representatives like The Venerable Lungrig Namgyal from Buddhism, Father Lanfrancho Serrini representing Christianity, Dr. Karan Singh for Hinduism, Dr. Abdullah Omar Nasseef from Islam, and Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg for Judaism. It was a profound moment of connection, although underscored by a notable absence of women leaders, reflecting the times.
Our conversations touched on Indigenous prophecies, spiritual teachings, and environmental stewardship. However, it was evident that the traditional faiths of Indigenous peoples still needed to be recognized as equal to the world's major religions. This gathering led to the creation of the "Assisi Declarations," spiritually charged resolutions from each faith, emphasizing respect and environmental protection.
This event predated significant changes in how Indigenous spiritual traditions are perceived globally. The United Religions Initiative (URI) formation in June 2000 marked a turning point, as it acknowledged Indigenous faith traditions as fully equal to other world religions.
Both Leonard and I left Assisi with reinforced convictions. We knew that the wisdom of our Indigenous elders and spiritual leaders—imbued with a deep understanding of natural laws and spirituality—was indispensable. We believed that until the voices and prophecies of both our feminine and masculine leaders were heard and integrated by all sectors of society, the degradation of Mother Earth would persist. And sadly, this has continued to be the case.
Reflecting on my encounters with figures like Thor Heyerdahl and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, both of whom have since passed on, I am continually inspired by their deep spirituality and compassion. Their legacies and the spirit of those meetings continue to influence the ongoing dialogue about our sacred relationship with Mother Earth.
