Indigenous Rights
Discomfort, ‘real feelings’ felt by Yellowknifers during exercise about history of Indigenous North Americans
May 11, 2017
‘Blanket exercise’ represents Aboriginal people being separated from their original home and traditions Peter Workman is determined to learn — even if it makes him feel uncomfortable. “I’m part of a generation that didn’t receive a lot of training or…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
TAKE ACTION to demand justice for Topacio Reynoso and her father
May 11, 2017
On April 13, 2014, unknown gunmen attacked 16-year-old Topacio Reynoso Pacheco and her father, Alex Reynoso, killing Topacio and leaving Alex seriously injured. Both were active in their municipality of Mataquescuintla, standing up for land and the health of the…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Latin America
An exercise in understanding: the KAIROS Blanket Exercise
May 3, 2017
The floor of Wallace Hall is criss-crossed with colourful blankets. Participants move from blanket to blanket, greeting each other quietly, occasionally trading items – a cornhusk doll for a braid of sweet grass, a piece of leather for a dreamcatcher….
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
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
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
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
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
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
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
Blanket exercise opening eyes and minds
March 1, 2017
Photo: Around 40 community members took in the Blanket Exercise that was hosted by Wetaskiwin ParentLink and facilitated by Roy and Judy Louis at By-The-Lake Park Feb. 25. The exercise, which was developed by KAIROS, has become a popular teaching…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Our Land, Our Rights, Our Peace: Philippines leaders visit Canada, March 20-April 5
February 24, 2017
Filipino Delegation to appeal for Open for Justice and support for peace process, March 20 – April 5 KAIROS is hosting a five-person delegation from the Philippines, March…
Post filed in: Asia-Pacific, Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights
Open letter on ending discrimination against First Nations children
February 23, 2017
The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada 284 Wellington Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H8 mcu@justice.gc.ca The Honourable Carolyn Bennett Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs 10 Wellington, North Tower Gatineau, Québec K1A 0H4 minister@aadnc-aandc.gc.ca Dear Ministers,…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
My experience of The Blanket Exercise
February 14, 2017
I never thought that the name ‘The blanket exercise’ gave the activity the justice it deserves, although this is how the activity was created and is commonly known. It is originally from the KAIROS, a joint venture by the United…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
More than a blanket term
February 9, 2017
Photo: Students and teachers in the UTS gym during the Blanket Exercise. The Blanket Exercise, devised by Kairos Canada, is an immersive simulation experience centered on the historical changes that accompanied the arrival of Europeans to Turtle Island (one of…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Graduate students at the University of Guelph partake in the KAIROS Blanket Exercise
February 3, 2017
A glimpse into the effects of the University of Guelph Aboriginal Initiative Last March, the University of Guelph announced it would be hiring five new Aboriginal professors and increase financial support for Indigenous scholars and graduate students. “This initiative will…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
2017 KAIROS wish list
February 1, 2017
Last January, KAIROS released its wish list for the year – ten plus one hopes for the federal government and the provinces to fulfill. Two of these were realized: the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was…
Post filed in: Calls To Action, Indigenous Rights, Op Eds
Have a Heart Day – This Valentine’s Day help end discrimination against Indigenous children
January 31, 2017
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
KAIROS Blanket Exercise Project with the Mary Ward Centre and Toronto Catholic District School Board
January 28, 2017
KAIROS, the Mary Ward Centre and the Toronto Catholic District School Board launched a collaborative project in October 2016 to bring the KAIROS Blanket Exercise to elementary and secondary school students on a weekly basis. Fifteen schools and hundreds of…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
‘Shame and sadness’ stirred by Indigenous Blanket Exercise
January 26, 2017
Jim Lindsay, sub-region representative for KAIROS Grey-Bruce, Wellington and Dufferin County, says the Indigenous Blanket Exercise held at St. Mark’s Church in Orangeville on Sunday afternoon was very successful – drawing a capacity crowd of about 70 participants. Centred on…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
KAIROS Blanket Exercise, Gladue Summit, Thunder Bay
January 13, 2017
“A very generous and talented videographer created this short video of the Mass KAIROS Blanket Exercise I co-facilitated in Thunder Bay on November 29, 2016 for 100+ participants at the Gladue Summit, which was organized by the Ministry of the…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
First-year law students participate in KAIROS Blanket Exercise
January 12, 2017
Interactive exercise walks law students through history as they learn how Canadian law throughout the years has affected Indigenous individuals and communities. Photo (L to R): Blanket exercise facilitators Jodi Stonehouse, Koren Lightning-Earle and Dr. Tracy Bear, pictured here with…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
