Indigenous Rights
KAIROS Concerned About the Expansion of Petroleum Licensing in the Amazon
July 25, 2013
In response to a call from our partner, Accion Ecologica, KAIROS wrote a letter to the Ambassador of Ecuador, expressing concern about the expansion of petroleum licensing and exploitation in the Amazon, including in ecologically fragile areas and Indigenous territory.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights
Partners in Guatemala question proposed moratorium and demand respect for Indigenous rights
July 22, 2013
On June 13, KAIROS signed onto an open letter to Guatemalan President Otto Molina Perez to support the call by Guatemala social movements for his government to revoke a mining license that had been recently granted to Vancouver-based Tahoe Resources….
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Latin America
Truth and Mercy in the South Saskatchewan Watershed – by Eileen Klassen Hamm
July 22, 2013
Eileen Klassen Hamm, Program Director for Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan, writes about watershed discipleship and right relationship on the South Saskatchewan River.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections
Lutherans and Anglicans Issue Joint Declaration on Resource Extraction
July 17, 2013
At their historic Joint Assembly on July 4 and 5, 2013, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada discussed and passed a resolution committing their churches to action on the impacts of resource extraction on…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Nation to Nation Bike Tour update- Akwesasne playing a key role as the launch community
July 16, 2013
Very soon, the first-ever KAIROS and Otesha Nation to Nation Bike Tour gets underway! 12 Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth will start in Akwesasne and end in Tyendinaga, Kanien’kehaka (Mohawk) communities that share the waters of the St Lawrence and Lake…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Gathering of the Waters
June 28, 2013
On Sunday, June 23, on Victoria Island, not too far from where Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence fasted for recognition of Indigenous rights, six Algonquin Kokoms (grandmothers) led a group of people from KAIROS and Ottawa’s First United Church…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Protecting the Water
June 21, 2013
Many of the National Aboriginal Day 2013 celebrations of Indigenous cultures taking place from coast to coast to coast have a heightened focus on water. This is an opportunity to respond to the leadership of Indigenous people who are taking…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Stormed by the Holy Spirit (a reflection for Pentecost) – By Fr. Bob Holmes
May 15, 2013
Bob is a Catholic priest, a member of the Congregation of St. Basil, and has been involved in the Peacemaking ministry of CPT for 13 years serving in Canada, Palestine, Iraq, Mexico, Colombia and Congo.
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections
Mining in Mexico … Through Canadian Eyes
April 25, 2013
In February 2013, KAIROS network member Janette McIntosh (who is also a Presbyterian appointment to and co-chair of our Ecumenical Circle of Collaboration on Sustainability) represented KAIROS on a delegation to mining-affected communities in Mexico. Her thoughtful reflections on this…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
United Church Launches Petition to Regulate Canadian Mining Companies Overseas
April 25, 2013
As a result of decisions taken at its 41st General Council in August 2012, the United Church of Canada has launched a petition campaign to encourage “the regulation of Canadian mining companies and their practices abroad.” Please consider acting on…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
KAIROS Earth Day Action to Protect Water!
April 22, 2013
Earth Day greetings from KAIROS! Today, as we honour creation, KAIROS asks you to join us in advocating with your MP for the protection of Canada’s waters, and for right relationship with Indigenous peoples. Omnibus bills C-38 and C-45 have…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Keystone Debate is Heating Up
April 9, 2013
While ecologists and Indigenous peoples are increasing pressure on President Obama to deny a permit to the Keystone XL pipeline, Canadian government and oil industry executives are lobbying hard for its acceptance. This bulletin updates KAIROS’ analysis of the debate…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights
“Process Water” Spill at Suncor – More Bad News for Canada’s Water
March 26, 2013
On Tuesday, March 26, Suncor announced that there had been a leak of “process water” (water used in the chemical process of separating bitumen from tar sands) at its tar sands plant north of Fort McMurray. What does this mean…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Shamrock, Cross and Eagle Feather – By Mardi Tindal
March 11, 2013
Theological Reflection – Sunday March 17, 2013 Mardi Tindal served as the 40th Moderator of The United Church of Canada, 2009-2012. She continues to write, speak and offer retreats for the healing of soul, community and creation (see marditindal.com). She…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections
Bottled Water Free Day, March 18
March 11, 2013
KAIROS, its companions and communities, and many of its member churches and organizations have long advocated for the right to clean water. Now, as a part of this commitment, we are inviting you to join in a national day of…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Building two bridges: Speech by Dr. Cindy Blackstock
February 22, 2013
Dr. Cindy Blackstock is the Director of The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society. She gave this speech at a national event in support of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. KAIROS , over 20 national organizations, and…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Witness history unfold in funding case against the federal government
February 22, 2013
An historic case is before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations filed a human rights complaint in 2007 alleging that the federal government is racially discriminating against…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Looking ahead through art: Giniigaaniimenaaning stained glass window for the House of Commons
February 20, 2013
In November 2012, the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, unveiled a stained glass window commemorating the legacy of former Indian Residential Schools. Métis artist Christi Belcourt’s original artwork, entitled Giniigaaniimenaaning (Looking Ahead) was transformed into stained…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
A Sikh reflection on residential schools and Idle No More
February 20, 2013
The Idle No More movement has sparked many thoughtful, creative reflections from all corners of Canadian society; it has also sparked racist and even violent reactions. These make continued engagement and reflections from all peoples on Turtle Island and beyond…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections
Proclaim the Year of the Lord’s Favour – a reflection by Mary Lysecki
February 12, 2013
Theological Reflection – Sunday February 17, 2013 The Reverend Mary Lysecki is the rector at St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church in Winnipeg, MB. Mary is currently a member of the national church’s Healing Response Committee; is the Anglican representative on…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections
The Campaign to Erode Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
January 31, 2013
“For almost 15 years, the federal Department of Justice has conducted a campaign to erode the consitutional and legal status of Aboriginal and Treaty rights in Canada.” Signed by more than four dozen experts in the field of Indigenous Rights…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Who is the Government of Canada Listening To?
January 22, 2013
A slew of new legislation that undermines both Indigenous rights and environmental protection in Canada points to the fact that the petroleum and pipeline industries have significant influence on the Government of Canada’s legislative agenda. A December 12, 2011 letter…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
KAIROS Victoria Appears Before Northern Gateway Joint Review Panel
January 18, 2013
On January 10, 2013, Susan Draper from the Victoria KAIROS group made an oral presentation to the Joint Review Panel on the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline. Sharing the concerns of many in the KAIROS network in BC, Susan spoke about…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights
Congolese massacre victims denied justice in Anvil Mining lawsuit
January 16, 2013
Two years ago, a group of Congolese citizens launched a class action lawsuit in a Quebec court against Anvil Mining Ltd., alleging that the company was complicit in widespread atrocities committed during an October 2004 raid by the Congolese military…
Post filed in: Africa, Indigenous Rights
Notes on Attawapiskat Finances
January 10, 2013
Attawapiskat’s finances have been under some scrutiny since the First Nations community in northern Ontario declared a state of emergency last winter due to a housing crisis. At that time the community was placed under third party management, which means…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Reflection on an Ecumenical Solidarity Visit to Chief Spence
January 6, 2013
Epiphany Sunday January 6, 2013 We came to Victoria Island with an arrangement to meet her, but travelling gently knowing that her strength and health were tested. We wanted our solidarity to be gift and not burden. When we arrived,…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections
KAIROS Calls for Solidarity Fast with Chief Spence January 11
January 4, 2013
On Friday, January 4, the Prime Minister announced that he would meet with First Nations leaders on January 11, the one month anniversary of Chief Theresa Spence’s fast to bring attention to the treaty relationship between First Nations and Canada….
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Stand in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
December 19, 2012
Hunger strikes, protests, singing and drumming are all part of the call to stop legislation that undermines Indigenous rights and the environment. Theresa Spence, Chief of Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, courageously began a hunger strike on December 11th…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
