INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

Follow KAIROS' 2011-2012 'Truth, Equity & Reconciliation: They Matter to Us!' Campaign
Renaud Gregoire

Access to land and resources lie at the root of all Aboriginal issues. Yet the federal government has yet to make any significant effort to implement land and treaty rights. As governments continue to disregard, limit, and terminate Aboriginal rights, an active and vibrant ecumenical voice on Aboriginal justice issues is needed more than ever.

The churches are committed to just and respectful relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. Such relationships recognize Aboriginal peoples as distinct peoples and nations, with rights to land and self-determination.

The Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) concluded that public education is key to realizing a renewed relationship between Aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples. It identified religious institutions as having great potential to foster awareness and understanding.

Through public education and action campaigns, KAIROS aims to:
Change federal Aboriginal policy by calling for recognition of Aboriginal title and nationhood, and the implementation of Aboriginal land, treaty and inherent rights.

Promote awareness of important and positive recommendations such as the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, and critique legislation such as the First Nations Governance Act.

Empower local KAIROS groups to challenge racism and stand in solidarity with Aboriginal peoples. We encourage you to join or form a local KAIROS group focused on Aboriginal rights.

Educate through resources which challenge our society’s relationship with Aboriginal peoples, and help us to envision a new relationship. KAIROS and many other groups produce resources for classroom, faith community, and small group use. These explain Aboriginal rights, explore the past 300 years of Canadian history, and invite Canadians to confront the racism and injustice faced by Aboriginal peoples.

INDIGENOUS RIGHTS NEWS

JOINT MEDIA ADVISORY: UN Committee urged to examine discrimination against Canadian Indigenous peoples

February 17, 2012 By KAIROS

"On February 22 and 23, Canada’s record on combating discrimination will be examined by a high level body of the United Nations. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is the independent expert body that monitors compliance with the international treaty of the same name. As a signatory to the Convention, Canada is required to report regularly to the Committee on measures taken to comply with its provisions. Key issues concerning the rights of Indigenous peoples were glossed over or ignored in Canada’s report. More than 35 Indigenous nations, regional and national Indigenous peoples’ organizations, human rights and social justice organizations have filed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feature 2, Honouring the Children, Indigenous Rights, Media Room, Roll with the Declaration!, The Land Our Life, UNDRIP

Ontario Chiefs Letter to CRC in support of Youth Ambassadors to UNCRC

February 6, 2012 By KAIROS

"Dear Committee Member: I am writing to demonstrate my support to both the delegation of Indigenous youth ambassadors from Canada travelling to Geneva this week, and to their request that a Special Rapporteur be appointed to address ongoing human rights violations against Indigenous children in Canada based on discriminatory state practices...." … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dignity & Rights, Feature 2, Honouring the Children, Indigenous Rights, Truth, Reconciliation & Equity, UNDRIP Tagged With: CRC, Indigenous Rights, UNCRC

MEDIA ADVISORY: Canada Must Give First Nations Children Equal Rights Indigenous Youth Tell United Nations Committee on Rights of the Child

February 1, 2012 By KAIROS

For Immediate Release 1 February 2012 (Toronto) Six Indigenous youth ambassadors from across Canada will meet with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) next week to urge to the UNCRC to pressure Canada to end inequities faced by First Nations children. The youth will outline their concerns at a news conference in Toronto tomorrow held by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada (Caring Society) in advance of their departure for Geneva. The news conference is being hosted by the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth in Ontario. The youth ambassadors will explain to the UNCRC how Canada discriminates … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dignity & Rights, Feature 2, Indigenous Rights, Media Room, The Land Our Life, Truth, Reconciliation & Equity, UNDRIP

Fundamental Justice Issues at Stake in Gateway Pipeline Debate

January 25, 2012 By Erin

Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project, comprising two 1,170 kilometre pipelines from northern Alberta across Indigenous lands to Kitimat, BC, would carry 525,000 barrels a day of diluted bitumen from the tar sands to the west coast for export, and return 193,000 barrels of condensate (used to thin the bitumen) to Alberta each day, allowing the cycle to continue. This venture poses fundamental questions of social and ecological justice. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feature 1, Indigenous Rights, Resource Extraction, Sustainability, The Tar Sands

Fate of Tar Sands Pipelines Crucial for Climate Justice

January 12, 2012 By KAIROS

KAIROS' August 2011 paper outlines the key issues in the controversy over both the Gateway and Keystone pipelines. Both violate the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent as enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Canada has signed. There should be no further approvals of tar sands projects due to their projected carbon emissions, negative impacts on land and biodiversity and on the rights of Indigenous peoples. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Climate Justice, Feature 1, Indigenous Rights, Resource Extraction, Sustainability, The Tar Sands Tagged With: enbridge, FPIC, gateway, keystone, pipeline, Tar Sands

Remembering Bishop Samuel Ruiz: Justice and Indigenous Rights in Mexico and Canada

January 10, 2012 By Erin

On January 24, 2011 Bishop Samuel Ruiz of Chiapas, Mexico died at the age of 86. He had been bishop for 51 years, including 40 in Chiapas. With his death, the church lost a great leader; his ministry was a model for church leadership, for justice, and for Indigenous rights in Mexico and beyond. To honour his impact on ecumenical, social justice, and human rights communities in Canada, KAIROS collected testimonies and photos from people who have been inspired by his life. You can see them here. One year later we are still remembering and commemorating. A public event and liturgy is scheduled for Wednesday, February, 29 at Loretto College, Blue Room, 70 St. Mary Street (near Bay & … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feature 2, Indigenous Rights

Banner Presentation & Feast Mark Qualicum Celebrations

December 13, 2011 By Erin

DR-IR-12-13-WinterCelebrationBannerPresentation

L to R: Quilter Beulah Paugh, Qualicum Band Councillor Donna Kennedy, Qualicum Band Councillor Darlene Wells, Chief Patricia Cassidy, designer Norma Emerson, and Parksville/Qualicum KAIROS Chair Hans Kratz. In the midst of a few hundred school children, parents, and supporters, Parksville/Qualicum KAIROS presented a handcrafted banner to Qualicum First Nation. The banner was created locally and was featured in KAIROS’ “Roll with the Declaration” event, which gathered banners from across Canada and joined them together in Ottawa as public witness calling on the Government of Canada to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Over 300 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Feature 1, Indigenous Rights, Truth, Reconciliation & Equity

Attawapiskat Joint Statement: Urgent action needed to improve living conditions in Aboriginal communities

December 8, 2011 By KAIROS

Canada must meet its human rights obligations. Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right to enjoy the same standard of living and access to government services that are enjoyed by other people in Canada. They have the right to live and bring up their families on their own lands and territories. Our organizations, Canadian human rights and faith-‐based groups, are deeply concerned that these basic principles are repeatedly cast in doubt. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Action for Indigenous Rights, Feature 1, Indigenous Rights, Truth, Reconciliation & Equity, UNDRIP Tagged With: Attawapiskat, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Attawapiskat: a hard look at the federal government’s response so far

December 2, 2011 By KAIROS

1 December 2011 KAIROS Urgent Action Background information As of November 30, federal leaders and the Red Cross have now visited the northern Ontario Cree community of Attawapiskat, which is a step forward. The Red Cross is flying in emergency supplies like winter sleeping bags. However, no emergency or long term funding for housing has been committed by either the provincial or federal government despite the onset of winter, and the latest word from the federal government is very troubling. The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs' November 30 announcement that he is putting the community's finances under the control of a government appointed third-party manager deflects attention from … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Action for Indigenous Rights, Dignity & Rights, Feature 2, Indigenous Rights, The Land Our Life, Truth, Reconciliation & Equity, UNDRIP Tagged With: Attawapiskat, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

KAIROS urgent action: Cree community of Attawapiskat, Ontario calls a state of emergency as hundreds face winter in tents and sheds

November 25, 2011 By KAIROS

'Attawapiskat: a hard look at the federal government’s response so far' - KAIROS commentary, Dec.2, 2011 Statement by Attawapiskat Chief and Council on notice of Third Party intervention - Dec.1, 2011 Please click here for a full background PDF version of this Urgent Action Photo by Phil Fontaine Summary: In early November the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario took the extraordinary step of declaring a state of emergency. Faced with the beginning of winter, overcrowded housing and over one hundred people who have no houses at all, Chief Theresa Spence asked the federal and provincial government to recognize a state of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Action for Indigenous Rights, Dignity & Rights, Feature 1, Indigenous Rights, Urgent Actions Tagged With: Attawapiskat, Indigenous Rights