The third edition of the KAIROS Blanket Exercise is now ready for your orders! This interactive piece explores a history of Canada most of us never learn, and invites us into to understand the nation to nation relationship between Indigenous peoples and newcomers in this land.

It features an updated script for grade 9 through adult participants, and a new script for grades 4-8 children and youth.  It includes creative ideas for events and conversations, suggested by experienced Indigenous and non-Indigenous facilitators.  The third edition also includes a free downloadable kit of supplementary resources.

Visit the KAIROS shop to download a PDF or order a print copy of the full 52 page book, which includes both scripts, maps, and lots of process ideas. We've kept the price as low as possible at $6 for a PDF and $15 for the print booklet, and are happy to discuss bulk print purchases. If price is a barrier, please let us know.

Special thanks to our partners at the Assembly of First Nations and across Turtle Island for making this new edition possible even as the Blanket Exercise celebrates its 16th birthday. Many thanks also to the Donnelly Foundation and the St Stephen's Broadway Foundation for funding much of the work that led to these renewed versions of the Blanket Exercise.


For more information on The Blanket Exercise please visit our web page.

For more information please contact:
Katy Quinn
Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator
kquinn@kairoscanada.org
613 235-9956 x224

KAIROS Briefing Paper #37 - Keeping Fossil Fuels in the Ground Essential to Curb Climate Change

Letter from Algonquin Grandmothers, attending Wabanaki Confederacy Conference

Kokoms, Shirley Tolley, Jenny Tenasco, Rose Beaudoin, Alice Beaudoin, Liza Chief, Celine Thusky,
Judith Thusky and Lola Odjick, with Alma Brooks of the Wabanaki Confederacy

Our travel day was July 31st. It was a beautiful drive but rather long. We arrived late in the evening at the hotel and were anxious to get started in the morning. Because of work, some of the Kokoms couldn’t travel for the beginning of the conference. In attendance were: Shirley Tolley, Jenny Tenasco, Rose Beaudoin, Alice Beaudoin, Liza Chief, Celine Thusky, Judith Thusky, Lola Odjick

The week started with the building of the Wabanaki Confederacy lodge. It is a beautiful Lodge and a lot of work was put in by the Wabanaki. Each Nation was expected to bring their flag. The ceremonies began with the Grand Entry to the Lodge. Kokom Rose brought her staff and had an opportunity to explain the items that were important to her and all the Algonquin Nation. The Wampun Belts were hung in the center ring inside the Lodge as well as all the Pipes. The Warriors and Clans entered first, then the Kokoms and young women. There was the lighting of the pipes, reciting a creation story in their language and singing of a welcome song by the host Nation.

Although it rained for the first two days, it did not dampen our spirit. The women met separately and had a discussion about the struggles that we all seem to be having at this time. The ceremonies continued throughout the day. It was a very heartfelt sharing of our feelings and concerns with other First Nations. Alma made us feel very welcome and we had good food for the days that we were there. Needless to say, we were very tired when we returned to our hotel which was a ten minute drive.

In February, we were invited to attend a North American Indian Caucus meeting somewhere in the East Coast. And then in May, we might have a chance to send one Kokom to go to the United Nation to give a presentation. If our funds permit, this could be a reality. Since then, we have been to an All Chiefs meeting in Wahgoshig that was sponsored by our Tribal Council. In meeting with the Kokoms, it was felt that our leadership need guidance and unity.

We would like to thank you once again for your help in funding this trip to Lake George, New Brunswick. Please keep in touch and keep us informed of any other opportunities where we can provide support to a good cause.

Migwech,
Màmawi Anishinàbe Kòkomisag

The Nation to Nation Tour Thanks You For Your Support!!

Dear Friends,

Your contribution was key to making the 2013 Nation to Nation Bike Tour a success! Thanks to you, twelve young change-makers learned more about what it means to be leaders in advocating for Indigenous rights, while also inspiring people in the eight host communities they visited with their message of hope for a better future.

After five days of orientation in the Mohawk community of Akwesasne, the bike tour hit the road for 14 days, stopping in towns along the Saint Lawrence River and ending at the Tyendinaga Pow Wow. En route, tour members staged three public events featuring the Blanket Exercise, and participated in a series of workshops and learning activities.

Your donation made all of this possible. With your support we were able to include tour members from remote communities such as Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug in northwestern Ontario, and to prepare and equip those young riders who had never participated in a bicycle tour.

We are very grateful that you chose to invest in these committed and passionate individuals. Your generosity helped them to gain some of the valuable skills, experience and knowledge that will serve them well as they continue to work for justice.

Please check out some photos and the tour blog to get a better idea of the project.

Charitable receipts are being issued for all donations of $10 or more and you can expect to receive yours by mail in the next couple of weeks.

Many thanks for your support!

Katy Quinn
Coordinator, Indigenous Rights Program
Programme relatif aux droits des Autochtones
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Ottawa office:
211 - 211 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 6H5
613.235.9956 ext 224 / fax 613.235.1302
kquinn@kairoscanada.org
www.kairoscanada.org

Registration for Elements of Justice is now full!

Elements of Justice: KAIROS InterGenerational Gathering 2013 will be held October 24-27 on gorgeous Squamish Nation Territory, north of Vancouver!

To read full bios for our speakers, download a poster, learn more about the program, please click here.

If you have not yet done so, please "like" the Facebook page KAIROS Canada Gathering and join in on the exciting conversations and announcements around the upcoming gathering.

For more information please contact:
Caroline Foster
Young Adult and Network Coordinator
cfoster@kairoscanada.org
1-877—403-8933 ext 221

KAIROS Partner Inducted as an Honorary Witness at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) National Event in Vancouver

KAIROS partner Naty Atz Sunuc has returned to Guatemala after an unforgettable experience at the  Truth and Reconciliation Commission  National Event in Vancouver.  Naty was inducted as an Honorary Witness  at the TRC’s opening ceremony on  September 18th. As a Maya Kaqchikel  victim and survivor of the civil war in Guatemala, and a respected human rights defender,  Naty was able to speak with genuine solidarity and empathy about the importance of truth telling and the need for reconciliation.    

The TRC National Event was an incredible journey, from the canoe ceremony at the beginning of the week, to the opportunity to listen to and accompany survivors during their testimonies to the Commissioners, to the Walk for Reconciliation with thousands of people and church groups at the end of the week.   We have posted photos on facebook to help document this experience. 

Naty won the hearts and minds of people at the TRC. Many survivors thanked her for travelling so far to hear their testimonies and to provide international witness.  There was an immediate connection between Naty and Indigenous sisters and brothers in Canada on so many levels- in history, in resilience, in ceremony and also physically. Many people approached Naty and said, “You look like my sister, my cousin, my aunt...” At times the connection was so strong there was no need to translate.

Naty’s reflection as an honorary witness was videotaped and played at the closing ceremony.  The first part of the reflection is in her Indigenous language, Maya Kaqchikel.  Naty’s words can be found on this video recording of the proceedings between 1:12:10-1:20:10

For more information please contact:
Rachel Warden,
Women of Courage program coordinator
rwarden@kairoscanada.org
416-463-5312 ext 242

Katy Quinn,
Indigenous Rights program coordinator
kquinn@kairoscanada.org
613-235-9956 ext 224

Family separation affects children of migrant workers in Canada and around the world.

Please lick here to read the full article

For more information please contact:
Alfredo Barahona,
Migrant Relations Coordinator
abarahona@kairoscanada.org
416-463-5312 ext 251

KAIROS Has Space for Rent

KAIROS has office space available for rent.  Four modern cubicles with a desk, filing, and storage space will be available for occupancy on October 15, 2013.  

Three cubicles are approximately 8 x 8 feet; one is approximately 5.5 x 8 feet. Rent is $500.00 per month per cubicle and includes use of meeting rooms, lunch room, and photocopier.  Large print runs on the photocopier will be charged separately. Renters are responsible for their own telephone, internet, and computers.

KAIROS is an ecumenical organization that works on social justice issues. Organizations and individuals who work on similar issues will find this an attractive space to work and network. The space will suit 1 or 2 charitable or non-profit organizations. 
Our offices are located on the second floor of 310 Dupont St., Toronto, a 3 minute walk from the Dupont subway station. Limited paid street parking is available.

If interested please contact:
Alberto Sarthou at 416-463-5312 ext. 230 (asarthou@kairoscanada.org)
or
Giselle del Rosario at 416-463-5312 ext. 229 (gdelrosario@kairoscanada.org). 

We will be happy to show you around!

Heart Listening... A Requirement for Settler Christians
– by Jennifer Henry

KAIROS' Executive Director Jennifer Henry reflects on how “tâpwêwin”, a concept that is translated as “speaking from the heart”, needs to be met with 'heart listening', which requires an embodied listening which "hears resistance, courage and contribution, and not only victimization."


Heart Listening…A Requirement for Settler Christians – by Jennifer Henry