Women of Courage Blog
Advent 3: l’École Polytechnique, 582 missing + murdered Indigenous women, and Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Geneviève, Hélène, Nathalie, the two Barbaras, the two Anne-Maries, Maud, the two Maryses, Sonia, the two Annies and Michèle These are names engraved on my heart. I was 22 on December 6th, 1989 when 14 women were killed at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal. I had no connection to any of the women who died that day, but as a woman, a feminist young woman studying at a Canadian university, it was impossible to be untouched. … [Read more...]
Living Courage and strategies for change
At each public event, participants have been asked the same question as the speakers: From your experience, what have been the most successful strategies for defending women’s rights and ending violence against women? The discussion has been both rich and hopeful. The KAIROS action points shared at every event were well received because “they are specific and concrete” , and the ideas shared at these events will be extremely important making KAIROS’ action commitments real for the long term, and to creating a path for specific and ongoing action. Here’s an attempt to reflect some of these thoughts: First we need to understand what violence is, and what its roots … [Read more...]
Chantal Bilulu: la femme doit se mettre debout. Women must stand up
Chantal Bilulu, director of women's and children's programs at Héritiers de la justice offers this reflection to people of courage: Dans plusieurs pays du monde, la femme est victime des violences de toute genre. C’est pourquoi il est necéssaire que la femme ne reste pas inactive pour subir au jour le jour, ne pas croiser les bras. In many of the world’s countries, women are the victims of every sort of violence. That’s why it’s vital that women not stay inactive, not submit day after day, nor cross our arms. Par contre, elle doit se mettre debout, agir, denouncer. Brisons le silence et reclamer aux tenants du pouvoir la mise en application des differents instruments juridiques … [Read more...]
A welcome to Penelakut Island part 2
Later that afternoon, we asked Jill and her sister Valerie if we could visit a village site that had been on the front lines of colonization. We took a tour of the island, winding up on a muddy road that took us through a band-sanctioned clearcut logging operation. Lack of employment and revenue confront First Nations constantly, and a land base that is the barest fraction of their traditional territories means that making ends meet is extremely difficult for both individuals and First Nations governments. After navigating a very muddy track that Chantal dubbed a “Congolese road”, we reached the site of the former village of Hwlumelhtsu, noted on maps as Lamalchi Bay. All that remains … [Read more...]
A welcome to Penelakut Island part 1
(A perspective on settler and Indigenous relationships in the Gulf Islands, including Penelakut, is offered by award-winning author Terry Glavin in the article This Haunted Place. Terry has for many years written about the Indigenous history and ongoing resistance that lie below the official stories in BC.) On a cold, grey morning Penelakut (Puneluxutth) First Nation member Jill Harris, Gloria Cope of the local United Church, Chantal, Rachel and I took the 20 minute ferry ride from the largely white community of Chemainus to Penelakut Island; all but 100 acres of it are a recognised reserve for the Penelakut people. About 350 people live full time on the island, along with the … [Read more...]
Living Courage in Vancouver
After a beautiful ferry ride from Victoria, we were warmly received and hosted in Vancouver. This warmth and support continued throughout our stay. The public event on Saturday at St. Michael’s Anglican Church drew a diverse crowd of about 60 people from migrant justice groups, Philippines solidarity, the African community, the KAIROS network and students. Some of the audience members, especially the youth, had come directly from the Occupy Vancouver mobilizations. The local organization was fantastic. Delicious food was provided by Migrante BC. Chantal spoke forcefully about her work and the current conflict in the Congo. Lingling Claver, Chandu Claver’s sister-in … [Read more...]
Representing Rebecca Nyagai Kafi
Sermon, Vancouver Chinese Presbyterian Church, 16 October 2011 (Pastor Morgan Wong of Vancouver Chinese Presbyterian Church had invited Rebecca Nyagai Kafi of the Sudan Council of Churches to preach at the English and Chinese services in his church. When Rebecca remained stuck in Cairo, KAIROS staff Julie Graham spoke instead.) ...Today I am representing Rebecca Nyagai Kafi, a Presbyterian of South Sudanese roots who lives in north Sudan. If she were here, Rebecca would be representing the Sudan Council of Churches. Rebecca should be with us this morning, ready to talk about the role of women in the churches in Sudan, the possibilities of peace and development in the world’s newest … [Read more...]
Living Courage in Victoria
By Glenys Verhulst Glenys Verhulst is a volunteer with the Victoria Philippines Solidarity Group, a small, grassroots organization that seeks to raise awareness about and seek justice for human rights issues that link Victoria and the Philippines, including mining and migrant issues. For plenty of pics check out KAIROS Facebook albums: Living Courage Victoria Living Courage Vancouver The LIVING COURAGE tour set out to make connections between gender-based violence at home and around the world, and to share inspiring stories of actions to promote women’s rights and build more just, sustainable communities. It was a big undertaking, but, in myopinion, we did just that at this first public … [Read more...]
Jill Harris on visiting Penelakut Island with Chantal
BY JILL HARRIS As I told different stories from personal experience and from what I had witnessed, Chantal agreed that many of these were similar to stories in her context. The visit by KAIROS' Women of Courage, Living Courage tour was amazing for me. I am so glad that Gloria Cope and Rev. Fran Darling were there to carry out the planning while I was sick. The young women who waited for our group to arrive at the Penelakut Health Centre made me realize that women must continue to tell their stories of courageous action. Women of courage need other women who dare to speak their truths. … [Read more...]
Living Courage tour begins tomorrow
Living Courage Tour Website >> Tomorrow, the Living Courage tour begins. We will all meet in Victoria, after travelling from different parts of the world: Chantal from Congo, Rebecca from Sudan, Vernie from the Philippines and Julie and I the short distance from the KAIROS office in Toronto. I feel the same mixture of excitement and anxiety that I felt before the Women of Courage delegation to Colombia in August last year. There is still so much to be done before we meet. Yet I am incredibly excited to meet these extraordinary women and to accompany them on this tour. I am looking forward to reuniting with Jill, Yolanda and Theresa, the Canadian First Nations delegates … [Read more...]
