Indigenous Rights Archive
JOINT MEDIA ADVISORY: UN Committee urged to examine discrimination against Canadian Indigenous peoples
"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...]
Ontario Chiefs Letter to CRC in support of Youth Ambassadors to UNCRC
"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...]
MEDIA ADVISORY: Canada Must Give First Nations Children Equal Rights Indigenous Youth Tell United Nations Committee on Rights of the Child
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...]
Fundamental Justice Issues at Stake in Gateway Pipeline Debate
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...]
Fate of Tar Sands Pipelines Crucial for Climate Justice
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...]
Remembering Bishop Samuel Ruiz: Justice and Indigenous Rights in Mexico and Canada
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...]
Banner Presentation & Feast Mark Qualicum Celebrations
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...]
Attawapiskat Joint Statement: Urgent action needed to improve living conditions in Aboriginal communities
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...]
Attawapiskat: a hard look at the federal government’s response so far
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...]
KAIROS urgent action: Cree community of Attawapiskat, Ontario calls a state of emergency as hundreds face winter in tents and sheds
'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...]
