Intense and large scale oil and gas exploitation on the traditional lands of the Lubicon Cree First Nation in northern Alberta began in the late seventies. The impact on the community has been devastating. Within one generation the Lubicon’s hunting and trapping economy was destroyed. Efforts by the Lubicon people to adjust and develop an alternate way of life have been impeded by the federal government’s refusal to recognize the Lubicon’s land and resource rights, notwithstanding repeated calls by international human rights bodies including the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC), the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

In 2005, fifteen years after concluding that oil and gas exploitation had endangered the way of life and culture of the Lubicon Cree, the UN HRC concluded that Lubicon land “continues to be compromised by logging and large-scale oil and gas extraction” and called on the government of Canada to ensure that the Lubicon were adequately consulted “before granting licences for economic exploitation.”

Last year, following an official visit to Canada which included a trip to Lubicon territory, the UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Miloon Kothari, called on the government of Canada to place "a moratorium ...on all oil and extractive activities in the Lubicon region until a settlement" of Lubicon land rights is achieved.

His report emphasized that the “activities of private companies on Aboriginal lands -- should be carried out only with consultation and approval of all Aboriginal and concerned communities" and that the activity on Lubicon land seems “in contradiction with (UN) treaty bodies' recommendations and the right to self-determination and control over natural resources” of the Lubicon people.

The last round of land rights negotiations between the Lubicon and the federal and Alberta governments broke down in 2003. There are no new talks on the horizon.

A recent leadership dispute in the community threatens to worsen the situation by drawing attention away from the Lubicon’s decades-long rights struggle. In response to recent requests from the Lubicon, the KAIROS Indigenous Rights Circle agreed to affirm KAIROS’ support by issuing a joint statement with Amnesty International emphasizing the need to stay focused on recognizing and respecting Lubicon land rights. KAIROS’ member churches have stood in solidarity with the Lubicon since the early 80s, when oil and gas extraction began taking its toll on the Lubicon people.

For more information please contact Ed Bianchi at ebianchi[at]kairoscanada[dot]org or 613.235.9956 ext 221.

Media Advisory - For Immediate Release

4th Annual Sisters In Spirit Vigils
to be held Nationwide October 4th

Ottawa, ON (October 1st, 2009) - This weekend Sisters In Spirit vigils will take place across Canada. October 4th is a day where we honour the lives of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls. After four years, we are pleased to announce that the number of vigils has grown from 11 in 2006 to an incredible 72 in 69 communities for 2009. From coast to coast to coast, in all ten provinces and two territories, and internationally in Nicaragua, thousands will gather to publicly highlight the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls.

There is no complete accounting of the number of Aboriginal women and girls who have been murdered or gone missing. The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) has documented 520 Aboriginal women and girls who have been murdered or who have gone missing, mostly in the last three decades. There may be many more cases that have not yet come to light. Each one of these women is loved and missed terribly by their family, friends and community. Sisters In Spirit vigils are a time to draw greater attention to the issue of violence against women and to demand action.

A national vigil will be held in Ottawa, ON, hosted by NWAC, Amnesty International Canada, KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) and the Canadian Federation of Students. Together, these organizations will read a Joint Statement (see attached). Additional organizations are invited to add their support to the Joint Statement as well as stand in solidarity with the families of missing and murdered women and girls at Parliament Hill. Detailed information on the SIS Vigil in Ottawa as well as other cities is available on the NWAC website: www.nwac-hq.org.

The communities hosting Sisters In Spirit vigils this year include:

For further information:

Joshua Kirkey, Communications Advisor
Native Women's Association of Canada
(613) 722-3033 ext. 231, (613) 290-5680 mobile
jkirkey[at]nwac-hq[dot]org

Beth Berton-Hunter, Media and External Communications Officer
Amnesty International Canada
(416) 363-9933 ext. 32, (416) 904-7158 mobile
bberton-hunter[at]amnesty[dot]ca

Adiat Junaid, Communications Coordinator
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
(416) 463-5312 ext. 223, (416) 893-6121 mobile
ajunaid[at]kairoscanada[dot]org

Geraldine King, Communications Officer
National Association of Friendship Centres
(613) 563-4844 ext. 328, (613) 296-6234 mobile
gking[at]nafc[dot]ca

Katherine Giroux-Bougard, National Chairperson
Canadian Federation of Students
(613) 232-7394
kgirouxbougard[at]cfs-fcee[dot]ca

September 10, 2009

by: Warren Allmand, Former minister of Indian and Northern Affairs

Indigenous peoples around the world, who now number 370 million, have been routinely marginalized, impoverished and victimized. At the United Nations, efforts have been made to affirm and protect the rights that are indispensable to their survival and well-being.

Two years ago, on Sept. 13, 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by an overwhelming majority of 144 to 4. The declaration recognizes the distinct identities and cultures of indigenous peoples, their rights to lands, territories and natural resources that are critical to their way of life, and their need for protection against genocide and discrimination.

The idea for the declaration originated in 1982 and its development for more than 20 years has made it one of the most intensely debated and carefully scrutinized instruments in UN history.

The declaration provides an inspiring vision of a new relationship between states and indigenous peoples, one based on cooperation and respect for the rights of all. The declaration consistently and repeatedly refers to collaboration, cooperation or partnership and contains some of the most comprehensive balancing provisions that exist in any international human rights instrument.

Although UN declarations are generally not legally binding, they intensify public awareness of the issues and exert moral pressure on nations to implement the human rights principles that have been affirmed.

Four countries voted against the declaration: Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and Canada.

The arguments put forward by the Harper government for opposing adoption of the declaration do not stand up to legal scrutiny. This text is standard-setting and aspirational, and does not create a legally binding treaty. Its provisions have been examined, and supported, by federal government lawyers in the departments of Justice and Foreign Affairs, as well as by previous governments.

A May 2008 open letter endorsed by more than 100 experts in the fields of indigenous rights and constitutional and international law calls on the government of Canada "to cease publicizing its misleading claims, and together with indigenous peoples, actively implement this new human rights instrument." Former UN high commissioner for human rights and former Canadian Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour has expressed "profound disappointment" over Canada's stance.

In Australia in October 2007, then prime minister John Howard pledged to hold a referendum on changing their constitution to recognize indigenous Australians if re-elected. Subsequently, the new government under Kevin Rudd apologized to indigenous communities who had suffered at the hands of European settlers for decades. His government formally endorsed the declaration in April.

The government of New Zealand, after heavy criticism from the Maori Party, Greens and the Human Rights Commission, is currently reconsidering its stance. According to a spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the United Nations, the Obama administration is also reviewing its position.

In Canada, the fight to reverse the government position continues. Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories passed a motion in February 2008 calling on their government to accept the declaration as an aspirational document. In April 2008, the House of Commons adopted a motion to endorse the declaration and fully implement the standards therein. The minority government did not support the motion and has subsequently ignored it.

Sept. 13, 2009, will be the second anniversary of the declaration. It is high time for Canada to once again become a leader in human rights, and not a laggard that for this and other reasons is fast losing respect in the international community.

 Hon. Warren Allmand is president of the World Federalist Movement-Canada. He is an international human rights consultant, former Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and current President of the World Federalist Movement  - Canada, an organization that advocates more effective global governance and monitors developments at the United Nations. He serves on the KAIROS Indigenous Rights Circle. This op-ed was previously published in the Toronto Star September 10, 2009 and is reprinted on the KAIROS site with permission.

Grassy Narrows is trying to rebuild an economy and way of life that have been devastated by decades of severe environmental contamination and destruction. The people of Grassy Narrows have already made it clear that large-scale, clear-cut logging is incompatible with their vision for the preservation and use of their territory.

Ongoing forest management talks between the province and community are expected to take years to conclude. The provincial government however has never made any commitment to suspend logging while these talks proceed. Now the Ministry of Natural Resources has brought forward a new logging plan that includes provisions for potential resumption of large-scale clear cutting in the traditional territory.

Our organizations strongly believe that Ontario should be making every effort to address the wrongs of the past and ensure that the rights of the people of Grassy Narrows are at long last respected and upheld. We are deeply troubled by the possibility that an outdated, business as usual approach to forest management may be taking priority over the inherent and constitutional entrenched rights of Indigenous peoples.

Over the past year, a number of industry leaders have recognized that the rights of the people of Grassy Narrows cannot be be ignored. In March 2008, Boise Inc, announced that it would not buy pulp from wood logged without the consent of the Grassy Narrows people. This June, the ethnical investment firm Calvert divested from the Weyerhaeuser forestry company over that company’s refusal to adopt a similar sourcing requirement.

Ontario should follow this example and publicly commit not to license any logging in the traditional territory of the Grassy Narrows First Nation without the consent of the community. Protection of the community’s rights must be a priority in future forest management decisions. Our organizations are calling on Weyerhaeuser and other companies to also publicly commit not to log or use wood from Grassy Narrows Territory without the consent of the community.

Signed

Amnesty International Canada

AW[at]L

Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers)

Chiefs of Ontario

Christian Peacemaker Teams Canada

The Council of Canadians

CUPE 3903 First Nations Solidarity Working Group

Dogwood Initiative

Earth Justice Initiative

Earthroots

ForestEthics

Greenpeace Canada

Green Press Initiative

Greenspiration

Indigenous Environmental Network

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives

MiningWatch

Canada Rainforest Action Network

Rising Tide North America

Sierra Youth Coalition

Wildlands League

Ottawa ON K1A 1A6

Dear Prime Minister Harper and Minister Van Loan:

We the undersigned, jointly urge the Canadian government to reconsider its unilateral decision to arm Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) employees at the Three Nations Bridge Crossing. The Canada Customs facility is located in a residential district on the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory.

The federal government is aware of the many complaints from Akwesasne residents of intimidation, harassment, discrimination and provocation by CBSA employees. These and other concerns related to border crossing must be addressed with sensitivity and respect, in conjunction with mandated representatives of the Mohawk people. The decision to provide CBSA employees with weapons on Akwesasne Mohawk Territory exacerbates the existing human rights and security concerns of the Mohawk people and its citizens.

It is universally recognized that the principles relating to peace and security and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. This has been reaffirmed by consensus by the international community, including Canada. In addition, Indigenous peoples – especially those whose territories are divided by international borders – have a wide range of cross-border rights. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples requires States to facilitate such rights in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples.

Our organizations share the concerns expressed by Akwesasne residents regarding the potential dangers of providing CBSA employees with guns may pose to children and other residents. The land-border crossing, the only one of 119 border-crossings which is located in First Nations territory, is situated at a major crossroad on Kawehnoke in a residential part of the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory. The site includes a bus stop where children gather, recreational fields and a play area, a large number of homes, a district convenient store and several small businesses.

According to the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Mohawk residents account for as much as 70 percent of those crossing the border at the Three Nations Bridge Crossing. Under the terms of Jay’s Treaty signed in 1794, Aboriginal peoples and Native Americans are permitted to travel freely across the Canada-United States border for the purpose of employment, study, retirement, investing, and/or immigration. The United States has codified this obligation in the provisions of Section 289 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) as amended.

The Canadian government generally devotes a great deal of time and resources to facilitating border crossings by Canadians into the United States. Yet, in the case of the Akwesasne Mohawk people, the same government has shut down the Three Nations Bridge Crossing in order to penalize them for not agreeing to CBSA employees having guns.

The Supreme Court of Canada has made clear that the rule of law is “highly textured” and has many dimensions. As stated by the Ontario Court of Appeal, the rule of law includes “reconciliation of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal interests through negotiations”.

The Canadian government often speaks of “partnership” when addressing issues relating to Indigenous peoples. Yet, when crucial matters arise, the government appears to act in narrow self-interest. Arming of CBSA employees without consultation and negotiation is an unnecessary provocation on the part of the federal government. This virtually ignores the broader concerns and rights of the Mohawk people.

Our organizations call upon the government of Canada to respect its obligations to consult the Mohawk Nation and accommodate its concerns. In a spirit of peace and cooperation, the federal government should immediately negotiate a resolution to this whole issue that respects the treaty and other human rights of the Akwesasne Mohawk people and their citizens. We also strongly recommend that an impartial inquiry be held into the reports of racial profiling, acts of intimidation, harassment and provocation by CBSA employees.

Respectfully submitted by:

Quebec Native Women: Ellen Gabriel, President

Business Complex River Road P.O. Box 1989 Kahnawake, QC J0L 1B0

Chiefs of Ontario: Regional Chief Angus Toulouse

111 Peter St. Suite 804 Toronto, Ontario M5V 2H1

Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers): Merrill Stewart, Clerk

60 Lowther Avenue Toronto, ON M5R 1C7

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives: Mary Corkery, Executive Director

310 Dupont Street, Suite 200 Toronto, Ontario M5R 1V

First Peoples Human Rights Coalition: Suzanne Jasper, President

515 5th Street #3 Brooklyn, NY 11215 USA

cc. Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Chuck Strahl

Minister of Justice Rob Nicolson

Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Opposition

Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democratic Party

Gilles Duceppe, Leader of the Bloc Québécois

The delegation was organized by KAIROS (www.kairoscanada.org), which does social justice work for eleven churches and church-related organizations. As Christians, we seek a positive role in the care of God’s creation, right relations among peoples, and economic justice – all of which raise questions about the Athabasca tar sands. 

We came to Alberta to listen and learn from the people who live and work in the tar sands, Indigenous people who live downstream from them, church and community groups, the industry itself, unions, government, and environmental groups.  At the end of our journey, we are left with enduring images and questions.  Local churches and communities in Alberta are deeply engaged in the tar sands and see great benefits from these projects.  They don’t want to lose jobs, and they are also concerned about the environment.  

The people of Fort McMurray are rightly proud of their vibrant, multi-faceted community and its generous spirit. Our experience there has shown us that while the pace of tar sands development and the influx of workers have overburdened the town’s infrastructure, the community itself is working hard to solve problems.

On our journey, we met with Indigenous peoples from Fort McMurray and Fort McKay First Nations.  For a day and a half, we stayed in Fort Chipewyan, meeting with members of the Mikisew Cree First Nation, Athabasca Chipewyan Cree First Nation and the Metis. Some spoke of the economic benefits of the tar sands, of not wanting to damage that economy. Some mentioned receiving compensation for the use of their traditional territories. Companies owned by Indigenous peoples contract services to the tar sands sector. 

Yet we also heard that their way of life, as fishers, hunters and trappers, is being negatively affected, as well as the health of water and land. We heard that their concerns about the impacts of the tar sands developments have been largely ignored, how Treaty and Indigenous rights have not been respected, and of the need for greater involvement of Indigenous communities in tar sands planning.

In Fort Chipewyan, people told us of rare illnesses, the growing number of deaths from cancer and frightening changes to local ecology.  We saw how rapidly the graveyard is filling up. People in Fort Chipewyan need answers about why this is happening and how it can be prevented.  

Environmental groups point to the pace of ecological damage that needs bold action. Land reclamation lags far behind stripping and mining of the boreal forest.  

 Tar sands industry spokespeople are aware of and concerned about the ecological impacts of tar sands extraction, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and possible impacts on water.  Regarding possible aquifer or river contamination from extraction, greenhouse gas emissions and other dangers, they believe that the protections they are constructing will help considerably.  In response to Indigenous health concerns, they reply that there is no proof these issues are related to tar sands development. They argue that tar leaches naturally from the soil into the river and for hundreds of years this has not been a problem. They state that 70 to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions are from cars and other consumer uses of oil and gas.  Although Carbon Capture and Storage is much talked about in the media and by government, industry representatives note that it can only work in very limited situations. 

We are concerned about the industry’s response to the serious questions that have been raised, its determination to keep up the pace of development, and its confidence in what has been done to mitigate damage to people and ecosystems. The current pace of development along the Athabasca River is very different than what has occurred naturally for hundreds of years. Synthetic crude production is the most GHG-intensive form of fossil fuel production. In the face of climate change and the cumulative impacts of environmental toxins, we believe that all responsible parties – individual consumers, industry, and government – must take a greater role in creating solutions.   

Industry plans to increase the pace and expand the scope of tar sands development.  It will adapt to more government regulation if it happens.  Alberta government representatives emphasized the economic importance of the tar sands, and gave no indication they would strengthen government’s role in regulating industry to protect the common good.

These are the conclusions we reached as a delegation:

• As citizens, we all need to reduce consumption and help generate solutions. 

• We believe the tar sands pose serious, complex questions for Alberta, for Canada and beyond.  These questions deserve public discussion and we will encourage this in our churches.  

• We agree with Indigenous peoples’ and environmentalists’ calls for independent studies on the cumulative impacts of the tar sands development, especially concerning water and ecosystems.  These studies need to be accessible to the Canadian public.

• We agree that tar sands development must respect and protect Indigenous peoples’ rights.

·         We question the pace of tar sands development and the sustainability of the tar sands industry and the communities on which it has an impact. There is need for more regulation by the Alberta and Canadian governments to protect the common good.

·         Our delegation hopes to meet with elected federal government officials at the highest level.  We believe Canada needs a sustainable energy policy, including targets for more renewable energy and sustainable livelihoods.

Our delegation thanks all who met with us for their kindness and honesty, and we hold their perspectives as important.  Our faith inspires love for God’s creation and a passion for protecting the most vulnerable - both peoples and ecosystems.  We seek positive directions that will protect jobs, people and the earth.

June 8, 2009

 Members of the Delegation

Church/Organizational Leaders

• The Rev. Bruce Adema, Director of Canadian Ministries, Christian Reformed Church in North America
• Dana Bush, Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (The Quakers)
• Abe Janzen, Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee Alberta
• The Rev. Susan Johnson, National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
• Sr. Anne Lewans, osu, Ursulines of Prelate, Vice-President of the Canadian Religious Conference

·         The Right Rev. Thomas O. Morgan, Retired Archbishop of Saskatoon, Anglican Church of Canada

• The Rev. Cheol Soon Park, Moderator of the 134th General Assembly, The Presbyterian Church in Canada
• Donald Peters, Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee Canada
• The Very Rev. Bill Phipps, Former Moderator of the United Church of Canada
• The Most Rev. V. James Weisgerber, Archbishop of Winnipeg, President, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

 Indigenous and Southern Partners

• Fabricio Guamán, Accion Ecologica/Oil Watch South America, Ecuador
• Ray Jones, Hereditary Chief, Gitxsan First Nation, British Columbia
• Michael Keania Karikpo, Oil Watch International, Nigeria

 KAIROS Staff

• Ed Bianchi, Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator
• Mary Corkery, Executive Director
• Sara Stratton, Education and Campaigns Coordinator – Sustainability

Toronto/For Immediate Release                                     Thursday, June 11, 2009

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives and members of its recent delegation to the Alberta tar sands hope to meet with elected federal government officials at the highest level this fall to discuss the need for a sustainable energy policy for Canada.

That is one of the conclusions reached by the delegation in a public statement released today.  The delegation toured northern Alberta from May 21 to May 27, 2009 meeting with members of the public, community groups, civil society, labour, industry, Indigenous groups and government representatives to listen and learn more about the impacts of the tar sands on people and the environment.

“We believe the tar sands pose serious, complex questions for Alberta, for Canada and beyond.  These questions deserve public discussion,” says the statement.  “We question the pace of tar sands development and the sustainability of the tar sands industry and the communities on which it has an impact. There is need for more regulation by the Alberta and Canadian governments to protect the common good.”

A full copy of the statement, list of delegation members and the delegation’s blog is available from the KAIROS website at: http://www.kairoscanada.org/en/get-involved/campaign/tar-sands-delegation/delegation-statement/

Media contact:

Adiat Junaid

Communications Coordinator

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives

(416) 463 5312, ext. 223

1 877 403 8933, ext. 223

ajunaid[at]kairoscanada[dot]org

Toronto/For Immediate Release                                     Thursday, May 14, 2009

WHO:  KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives delegation of Canadian church leaders, Indigenous and Southern partners (see below for list of participants)

WHAT: Delegation to Alberta tar sands and affected communities – Meetings will be held with church and community members, Indigenous peoples, civil society groups, government and industry representatives.  There will be public events, community gatherings, briefings, and church services.

WHERE: Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Indigenous communities between these two communities, and Fort Chipewyan.

WHEN:   May 21, 2009 to May 27, 2009

WHY:  To explore the theological, social and ethical implications of fossil fuel extraction in the Athabasca tar sands. To listen, discuss and learn more about the Alberta tar sands projects and their impacts on all involved communities - society at large, workers, Indigenous peoples and communities, and the environment.

KAIROS Tar Sands delegation activities are part of Re-energize:  Time for a Carbon Sabbath, a three year KAIROS campaign for personal, community and political change.  Find out more at: http://www.kairoscanada.org/en/get-involved/campaign/

DELEGATION PARTICIPANTS:

Church Leaders

The Rev. Bruce Adema, Director of Canadian Ministries, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Burlington

Dana Bush, Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Calgary

Abe Janzen, Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee Alberta, Calgary

The Rev. Susan Johnson, National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Winnipeg

Sr. Anne Lewans, osu, Ursulines of Prelate, Canadian Religious Conference, Saskatoon

The Right Rev. Thomas O. Morgan, Retired Archbishop of Saskatoon, Anglican Church of Canada.

The Rev. Cheol Soon Park, Moderator of the 134^th General Assembly, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, Toronto

Donald Peters, Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee Canada, Winnipeg

The Very Rev. Bill Phipps, Former Moderator of the United Church of Canada, Calgary

The Most Rev. V. James Weisgerber, Archbishop of Winnipeg, President, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

Indigenous and Southern Partners

Fabricio Guamán, Accion Ecologica/Oil Watch South America, Ecuador

Ray Jones, Hereditary Chief, Gitxsan First Nation, South Hazelton, British Columbia

Michael Keania Karikpo, Oil Watch International, Nigeria

KAIROS Staff

Mary Corkery, Executive Director, Toronto,

Ed Bianchi, Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator, Ottawa

Sara Stratton, Education and Campaigns Coordinator, Toronto

Media contact:

Adiat Junaid

Communications Coordinator

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives

(416) 463 5312, ext. 223 ajunaid[at]kairoscanada[dot]org