by Rosanne Fischer
Associate of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota

I don’t believe in ‘chance’ encounters. I believe that Spirit connects us, increases our understanding and calls us to action.  

In 2022, seven members, sisters, and associates of our Franciscan Community in Little Falls, Minnesota, registered for a Land Justice Futures course. The course coincided with our intentional efforts to act upon Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si to respond to both the cry of Earth and the cry of People. We had just committed to the Dream Project, seeking to create an environmental learning center with healing and restoration of Land that the Franciscan Sisters inhabit. We realized that the healing of Land inherently involves healing of Peoples upon Land, with priority for those who have been displaced, mistreated, and denied access. Their healing is integrally related to our healing and the healing of Land: we are all connected. We chose to enter into a year-long program with the national Land Justice Futures team which, thankfully, has extended to a second year. 

What a journey!!  The capable and talented Land Justice Team, along with their BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) partners, have guided our learning about the roots of land injustice, including such information as: 

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