Author Archive
A call to action regarding human-made famine and conflict in South Sudan
May 3, 2017
South Sudan’s church leaders are calling for the world’s and Canada’s attention and action in the midst of a human-made famine in the conflict-riven, fragile state. While KAIROS members are contributing to humanitarian responses through the ACT Alliance (Action of…
Post filed in: Africa
Spirited Reflection: Riding on the bus
May 3, 2017
Ihave always struggled with the traditional spiritual disciplines – contemplative prayer, disciplined scripture reading, meditation, fasting. I have tried them all many times, and fallen away every time. I have often felt like a failure. But I’ve come to realize…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Let Justice Roll: Campaign update for April 2017
April 30, 2017
Last month, KAIROS along with Mennonite Church Canada (Indigenous Relations) and Canadian Baptist Congregations, launched the campaign Let Justice Roll: Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to ensure that the Government of Canada takes the…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
“These Blankets Hold History”
April 27, 2017
In March, I had the privilege of spending two and a half weeks in Alberta and Saskatchewan sharing the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) with various organizations and communities who were interested in using the exercise to further their understanding of…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
NEW Briefing Paper: Fossil fuel projects at odds with actions on climate and Indigenous rights
April 25, 2017
This Briefing Paper will first evaluate the progress being made in Canada to reduce green-house gas (GHG) emissions in light of the goals set by the Paris climate conference. It will then examine how recently approved fossil fuel infra-structure projects…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Spirited Reflection: Bread for the Journey
April 25, 2017
After the crucifixion, and unaware of his resurrection, two of Jesus’ disciples are walking on the road to Emmaus, talking about the awful events that had occurred in Jerusalem. They meet a stranger who is unaware of what has happened…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
We owe it to Indigenous peoples everywhere – to support their call for “our land, our rights, our peace.”
April 20, 2017
Nenita Condez is small in stature and pregnant with her third child. She is also courageous and defiant. This tiny mother is leading her Subanen people in the struggle to defend their ancestral land in the southern Philippines, where a…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights
NAFTA renegotiations must be done through the lens of climate change
April 20, 2017
Canada, and not just Mexico, may be in for a rough ride when it renegotiates NAFTA with the United States. A draft letter from the U.S. Trade Representative to Congress outlining renegotiation objectives, which was leaked on March 30, reveals…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Op Eds
Spirited Reflection: One blue world – art & healing
April 18, 2017
In this Earth Day reflection I explore environment, art and healing. The image of my painting One Blue World (2004), was a prayer for water. The 2003 Iraq war was in the news everyday as I started painting. I couldn’t…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Spirited Reflections
Easter hope: KAIROS brief Easter video for sharing
April 13, 2017
Dear Friends, Here is the KAIROS Easter video. I invite you to take a moment to watch it, share it with your family and friends, post it on Facebook and tweet it. Share it on your congregation or community e-lists….
Post filed in: Executive Director, Spirited Reflections
Q & A with Sr. Mary Ellen Francoeur, ‘living contemplatively in the universe’
April 13, 2017
Sr. Mary Ellen Francoeur lives with intent, focusing on “growing into being more fully human.” After decades doing peace work, seeking truth and reconciliation for Canada’s indigenous people, and in short-term healing work with communities in Rwanda and the Democratic…
Post filed in: Africa, Ecological Justice
Championing peace by making Canadian corporations accountable
April 13, 2017
Can Canada champion world peace while simultaneously supporting Canadian extractive companies that are accused of human and ecological rights violations? This question is of course rhetorical. Yet despite its stated interest in becoming more engaged in international peace and security,…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Op Eds
Knowing our place: the KAIROS Blanket Exercise
April 12, 2017
Participants partake in the Blanket Exercise, a workshop that delves into the effects of colonization. Photo by KAIROS Canada Thirty adults are gathered in a large sunny room. We stand on blankets that represent the land. Turtle Island. Home. We…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Understanding reconciliation with the KAIROS Blanket Exercise
April 7, 2017
On an early spring day, dozens of students, faculty and other members of the University of Toronto law school community who have gathered in Rowell Room in Flavelle House listen quietly as they are warned that what they are about…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
KAIROS Times: April 2017
April 3, 2017
Countdown is on for the Biggest KAIROS Blanket Exercise Ever Our Land, Our Rights, Our Peace: Philippine leaders visit Canada KAIROS launches Let Justice Roll campaign! Migrant Justice in Prince Edward Island Donor Testimonial Upcoming Featured Partner Featured Resource Spirited…
Post filed in: KAIROS Times E-Newsletter
Spirited Reflection: The Palm Sunday protest march
April 3, 2017
It wasn’t a Sunday walk in the park, you know, this Palm Sunday procession. Not a stroll, or a gentle donkey ride, with friends. It was not a military parade, full of pomp and circumstance signifying very little. Rather, it…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
New resource: Let Justice Roll
March 31, 2017
On March 31, 2017 KAIROS member churches in collaboration with Mennonite Church Canada (Indigenous Relations) and Canadian Baptist Congregations launched Let Justice Roll, a campaign that calls for the full implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Blanket Exercise uncovers deep injustices in Canadian history
March 30, 2017
The report issued by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission in June 2015 on abuse of aboriginal children in church-run residential schools included a call for non-aboriginal Canadians to learn about the impact of European settlers and their descendants on the…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Philippine leaders in Canada: Listen. Believe. Act.
March 23, 2017
Press Conference in Ottawa Watch the video below.
Post filed in: Asia-Pacific, Ecological Justice, Media Releases
Blanket Exercise in Ponoka highlights colonialism effects
March 22, 2017
More than 30 people took part in a KAIROS Blanket Exercise March 18 at Ponoka Elementary School. The experiential tool was hosted by Ponoka Parent Link Centre and the Ponoka Jubilee Library, and is used to help educate on the…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
How Canada can better its brand in the Philippines
March 22, 2017
Communities in the Philippines would benefit from the appointment of an independent extractive-sector ombudsperson to monitor Canadian mining operations overseas. Canadian mining companies are often the face of Canada in the Global South. For those affected by these companies, this…
Post filed in: Asia-Pacific, Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Op Eds
Philippine delegation presses Canada for mining justice and leadership in peace process
March 14, 2017
Delegation includes a Member of the Philippine Congress, Anglican Bishop and Indigenous activists (Ottawa, ON) – Make the overseas operations of Canada’s mining sector open for justice and ensure that Canada plays a leadership role in the Philippines’ peace process…
Post filed in: Asia-Pacific, Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Media Releases
Spirited Reflection: Living Water
March 14, 2017
Based on: Exodus 17:1-7; John 4:1-5, 13-17 Photo: Ornament made by the Kiilehua family using craft foam, sand and a piece of bamboo. So… there they are, the people of Israel, wandering in the desert…lost… and they’re thirsty… and they’re…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
Itinerary for Our Land, Our Rights, Our Peace: Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Winnipeg, Toronto
March 8, 2017
Delegation members include: Bishop Antonio Ablon, Philippine Independent Church (Anglican), Zamboanga del Sur Carlos Zarate, Member of Philippine Congress (Bayan Muna PartyList); Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources; Vice-Chair, House Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Anie Bautista, National Coordinator, Ecumenical…
Post filed in: Asia-Pacific, Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights
Robert Ogilvie Elementary School hosts blanket exercise – CJDC-TV News
March 7, 2017
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Video Playlists & Photo Albums
Women building peace in Colombia: Isabel Polanco and Organización Femenina Popular
March 7, 2017
This year KAIROS is celebrating International Women’s Day (March 8) with the launch of a video on Isabel Caicedo Polanco and the work of KAIROS’ partner, the Organización Femenina Popular (OFP) in Colombia. Isabel Caicedo Polanco is a woman of…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Op Eds
Spirited Reflections on sheep and goats
March 7, 2017
The “sheep and goats” passage from Matthew: 25 is a familiar one to Christians who yearn for God’s justice in our world. I was recently asked to preach on this passage and decided to consider three different perspectives. The first…
Post filed in: Spirited Reflections
KAIROS Times: March 2017
March 3, 2017
Education for Reconciliation update – Exciting meeting in Manitoba! Our Land, Our Rights, Our Peace: Philippine leaders visit Canada KAIROS welcomes the Canadian government’s renewed commitment to women peace builders Save the date! Kitchi Blanket Exercise, June 2, Parliament Hill…
Post filed in: KAIROS Times E-Newsletter