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March 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

- Join KAIROS in Celebrating International Women’s Day!
- Open for Justice! campaign continues
- URGENT ACTION: As Peace Talks Resume, South Sudan Needs Your Support Today!
- Hupacasath First Nation Files Documents with the Federal Court of Appeal
- Movement to Divest from Fossil Fuels Gaining Strength

- Caring For All Creation: Towards the Healing and Fullness of Our Lands, Waters and Communities
- Vernie's Visit

FEATURE PARTNER

Sandra Hayes-Gardiner


FEATURE RESOURCES

In Peace and Friendship: A New Relationship with Aboriginal Peoples (Second Edition)


REFLECTION

Mountain-top Moments and the Valleys of Reconciliation: Reflections on Matthew 17:1-9
– by Marcie Gibson




Join KAIROS in Celebrating International Women’s Day!

Women of Rhukole

Rev Marie-Claude and women of Rhukole Kuguma


On March 8 – International Women’s Day – KAIROS, our members and our global partners will recognize and celebrate the incredible contribution that women make to our movements for social and ecological justice. 

From Colombia to Congo, from the Philippines to Canada, the Women of Courage Program of KAIROS has forged new connections between women human rights defenders and supported women in their struggles to defend the land and their communities.  Generous financial contributions from Canadian churches and individual donors, people like yourselves, have enabled KAIROS to pursue innovative projects that advance justice for women in partnership with women’s organizations, church agencies and other civil society groups in the global South.

Our Congolese partner organization, Héritiers de la Justice, based in the eastern city of Bukavu, DRC, runs a legal clinic to assist victims of sexual violence in seeking justice.  For several years, KAIROS has supported the clinic’s work, which includes accompanying women through the judicial process, offering broader support around access to medical care, and assisting with social reintegration back into the community.  No longer seen strictly as victims, many of these women have become strong advocates for women’s rights through Héritiers de la Justice’s capacity-building workshops and the organization of local women’s committees in rural villages.

In neighbouring South Sudan, KAIROS has worked closely with the South Sudan Council of Churches to re-establish its national women’s program.  Last year, a new coordinator was hired and volunteer women leaders were trained in key cities around this country of 11 million people.  With its predominantly Christian population, South Sudan became the world’s newest nation after gaining independence from Sudan in July 2011.  KAIROS believes women in the churches will be key players in helping to establish a lasting peace in their country after widespread deadly violence broke out between government forces and opposition rebels in December 2013.  Sadly, to date, the peace talks aimed at stopping the violence have not included women or broader civil society representation.

In Ottawa, KAIROS  advocates for the Women, Peace and Security policy agenda.  In 2010, the Government of Canada adopted a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, outlining how it will implement international commitments mandated by several UN Security Council Resolutions (1325, 1889 and 2122).  Last month the government tabled its first progress report on implementation.  KAIROS would like to see new resources committed to this important work and the direct involvement of grassroots women’s organizations in the search for solutions.
 
Here’s what you can do this International Women’s Day to support the work of KAIROS and our partners:

  • On March 8 (or anytime during the month of March), please make a special donation to KAIROS to support the Women of Courage Program.  You can help women who are defending their rights and protecting their communities, both in Canada and internationally.  Donate today!
  • Join KAIROS in a moment of reflection and prayer for women’s empowerment and equality.

If you have not done so already, please write to Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and ask that Canada take a leadership role in promoting women’s participation in the peace process in South Sudan. Click here to participate in the urgent action for South Sudan.



For more information please contact:
Ian Thomson,
Corporate Accountability and Africa partnerships coordinator
ithomson@kairoscanada.org
or
Rachel Warden,
Gender Justice Coordinator
rwarden@kairoscanada.org




Open for Justice

KAIROS' MP letter writing campaign continues. Over 750 letters have been sent via KAIROS' online application to teh writer's own MPs from wherever they are across the country. Along with its partners in the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA), KAIROS launched the national MP letter writing campaign to make Canada “Open for Justice.” Canada is home to the majority of the world’s mining and mineral exploration companies, but there is no legal accountability in Canadian law for the actions of Canadian mining companies abroad. This has led to numerous conflicts and abuses of the rights of citizens, workers and Indigenous peoples struggling to defend their rights and protect watersheds and ecosystems.

The Open for Justice campaign has a simple objective: the creation of two new accountability mechanisms in Canada.

1) An extractive-sector Ombudsman with the power to independently investigate complaints and make recommendations to corporations and the Government of Canada; AND

2) Legislated access to Canadian courts for people who have been seriously harmed by the international operations of Canadian companies.

Since starting our letter writing campaign over 750 supporters of these mechanisms have sent letters to their MP using our online application. And we're still getting more letters every day!

Please join us in defending the rights of citizens, workers and Indigenous peoples around the world.


Let’s make Canada Open for Justice!

Click here to send a letter to your MP!



Follow #open4justice on twitter


For more information please contact:
Ian Thomson,
Resources & Rights Partnerships Coordinator
ithomson@kairoscanada.org
613-235-9956 x222


URGENT ACTION: As Peace Talks Resume, South Sudan Needs Your Support Today!

Since mid-December 2013, widespread violence, killings and displacement have been the daily reality for millions of South Sudanese. Church leaders in South Sudan issued a plea for peace shortly after the violence broke out on December 15. This is the worst violence the country has seen since South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011, following a popular referendum on self-determination.

Click here to join KAIROS and take action for peace today.


For more information please contact:
Ian Thomson,
Resources & Rights Partnerships Coordinator
ithomson@kairoscanada.org
613-235-9956 x222



Sudan

Hupacasath First Nation Files Documents with the Federal Court of Appeal

Good news! The Hupacasath First Nation has filed documents with the Federal Court of Appeal to continue its historic, legal challenge to the Canada China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA): click here to view Brenda Sayers announcement. Stay tuned for a court date.

There has been overwhelming public support for this small First Nation's courageous stand. So far the Hupacasath have raised $228,490. Help them reach the $300,000 goal by contributing through LeadNow.

We Stand Together

Brenda Sayers, Portfolio Holder of the Canada China FIPA Court Challenge, shared her gratitude for the solidarity shown by the KAIROS communtiy. "Thank you KAIROS for standing beside Hupacasath. Together we will move forward to the Court of Appeal and if it is God’s will, on to the Supreme Court of Canada." Read the full letter here.


For more information please contact :
John Dillon 
Ecological Economy Program Coordinator 
jdillon@kairoscanada.org 
416-463-5312 x 231 
Toll-free: 1-877-403-8933

 
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FEATURE PARTNER

Sandra Hayes-Gardiner

Currently based in Calgary, Sandra Hayes-Gardiner has facilitated and promoted the KAIROS Blanket Exercise for almost ten years. Sandra was introduced to the Blanket Exercise through the justice work and right relations activities in her church and community. Over the years, she has offered the exercise in a variety of settings, including universities, churches and First Nations communities and groups. In the lead-up to the TRC's National Event in Edmonton, Sandra will do the Blanket Exercise for Mount Royal University staff, at a United Church Women (UCW) annual meeting, and at a UCW retreat.

When reflecting about her many experiences with the Blanket Exercise, Sandra said "these opportunities always teach me more than I ever give, of the beauty, wonder and possibilities for reconciliation with First Nations."
Born and raised in The Pas, in northern Manitoba, she has practiced as a psychotherapist, trainer and consultant in First Nations and non First Nations communities for many years. She considers herself fortunate to learn from elders in the Cree, Secwepemc and Tsilhqot'in traditions. She and her husband have three children and two precious grandchildren. KAIROS is privileged and fortunate to have Sandra as a Blanket Exercise partner.







FEATURE RESOURCE

In Peace and Friendship: A New Relationship with Aboriginal Peoples (Second Edition)


In Peace and Friendship

 

This is a workshop and reflection book for faith communities, church school classes, and Christian Education adult classes. It focuses on practical and spiritual approaches to right relations between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous people in Canada. Some exercises are not faith-based and are suited for secular groups and classrooms. The book includes the original Blanket Exercise, KAIROS’ interactive introduction to the impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples.

Having seen this rich resource and the new Blanket Exercise book, one Catholic school district just decided to purchase 100 of each.  Check it out – maybe it’s right for your school or church! Bulk orders and bulk discounts can be negotiated. Samples are available.

Click here to order this resource now.

For more information please contact:
Shannon Neufeldt
Board Relations and Resource Promotion
orders@kairoscanada.org
416-463-5312 ext. 222





KAIROS in the News


Sisters are mining for the truth
- NOW Magazine: Rachel Warden
Mar 6 - 12





Of Interest

EU draft law on conflict minerals fails to satisfy campaigners
- The Guardian : Arthur Neslen : Mar 4

Aboriginal rights a threat to Canada's resource agenda, documents reveal
- The Guardian : Martin Lukacs : Mar

Norway to study pulling wealth fund investment from oil, gas, coal
Financial Post : Reuters : Mar 3

First Nations consultation at heart of lawsuit against Ontario
- CBC News : Feb 27

Rejection of New Prosperity Project Provides Clarity to Industry: Lake Destroying Projects and Projects Without Indigenous Consent Need Not Apply
- Mining Watch Canada : Feb. 27

Ottawa's responsible mining review awaited by NGOs
- CBC News : Trinh Theresa Do : Feb. 26

The Robin Hood Tax,
1 million strong petition

- The Robin Hood Tax

Trinity-St.Paul's United Church Votes to Divest from Fossil Fuel Companies
- Trinity-St.Paul's Church : Feb 24

PowerShift is coming to Halifax/K'jipuktuk, Mi'kmaqi Territory March 28-31 2014
- PowerShift

Nobel Women's initiative Spotlights Héritiers de la Justice
- Nobel Women's Initiative : Feb 24






Spirited Reflections

Talking about sin—and redemption—in the quest for justice
– by Paul Heidebrecht

Lent and social justice – do these themes relate? Paul Heidebrecht, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) staff and former KAIROS Board member, reflects, “Advocacy presumes that the institutions of our own day are also fallen,” but he is also talking about individual sin…and redemption. Let us walk together on the lenten journey.


Time for Climate Activists to “Turn the Other Cheek”
– by Greg Powell

Greg Powell, a UCC Divinity student and activist, challenges us to find and live out the modern equivalent of ‘turning the other cheek’ for the sake of climate justice.


 

Caring For All Creation: Towards the Healing and Fullness of Our Lands, Waters and Communities

 
 

Through our Watershed Discipleship program, KAIROS is very excited to join with BC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and others to co-sponsor a six week study on Caring for All Creation, an opportunity to gather with the diverse peoples who share concern over the stewardship of our planet, and for right relationships with Indigenous peoples.

Gatherings will take place in Victoria and Vancouver on a 2 week cycle from March 3 until May 13, but in cooperation with ds10rrad.io, you can join in from wherever you are!

While you are encouraged to participate in the whole series if possible, all are welcome at any of the events. KAIROS staff Sara Stratton will be a guest speaker for the March 31 (Victoria) and April 1 (Vancouver) events.

watershed  
 

Victoria events take place Monday evenings from 6 to 9pm at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, 3785 Cedar Hill Road.

Vancouver events take place Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9pm at Spirit of Life Lutheran Church, 375 West 10th Avenue.

The series is facilitated by the Rev Dr. Dittmar Mundel, Tiffany McNaughton, and Carmelle Javney Mohr.


Themes:

March 3/4: From Fear & Apathy to Active Hope & Love
March 17/18: Re-Valuing Vocation in Land & Food Systems
Guest Speakers: Erika Mundel & Andrew Rushmere; Sean Drory (TBC)
March 31/April 1: De-Colonization, Indigenous Wisdom
Guest Speakers: First Nation elder (TBC); Sara Stratton
April 14/15: From Extractivism to a Gift Economy
Guest Speakers: First Nation elder (TBC); Christine Boyle; Ross Moster
April 28/29: A Culture & Politics for our Land, Water and Communities
Guest Speakers: David Goa, Sven Wetering, Andrew Weaver (TBC), David Ebby (TBC)
May 12/13: The Art of the Commonplace


For more information please contact:
Sara Stratton
Member Relations/Movement Building Coordinator
sstratton@kairoscanada.org
416-463-5312 x241
Toll-free: 1-877-403-8933 x 241



 
 

Movement to Divest from Fossil Fuels Gaining Strength

 
 

Two recent events signify how the movement to withdraw investments from fossil fuels is gaining momentum. On Sunday February 23, the congregation at Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church in Toronto voted unanimously to ensure that none of its funds are invested in any of the world’s 200 largest fossil fuel corporations. Then, on Saturday March 1, Greening Sacred Spaces hosted a forum on Divestment or What? Economic Tools for Creation Advocacy in a Time of Crisis.

As Jeanne Moffat, speaking on behalf of the Climate Justice Group at Trinity-St. Paul’s, said “For too many years governments have not dealt decisively with the impending climate chaos, largely to the peril of low- income countries and low-lying regions of the world.” While this is the first example in Canada of a church deciding to divest, the climate advocacy group 350.org lists 19 religious institutions, nine post-secondary institutions, 22 municipalities, 2 counties, and 17 foundations in the U.S. as having made this commitment.

Fossil Free  
 


Anglican Archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu sums up the moral case for divestment by citing the key role it played in South Africa: “The divestment movement played a key role in helping liberate South Africa [from apartheid]. The corporations understood the logic of money even when they weren’t swayed by the dictates of morality. Climate change is a deeply moral issue too. Here in Africa we see the dreadful suffering of people from worsening drought, from rising food prices, from floods even though they’ve done nothing to cause the situation. Once again, we can join together as a world and put pressure where it counts.”

For more information please see Trinity-St. Paul’s Fossil Fuel Divestment Primer.


For more information please contact:
John Dillon
Ecological Economy Program Coordinator
jdillon@kairoscanada.org
416-463-5312 x 231
Toll-free: 1-877-403-8933



 
 

Vernie's Visit

 
 

Vernie Yocogan-Diano’s recent trip to Toronto (February 22 - March 4, 2014) for meetings of the Permanent Committee on Programs and Mission Ministry, was hosted by the United Church of Canada, a KAIROS member. While in Toronto, Vernie also met with the Primates World Relief and Development Fund, another member of KAIROS, and Binnadang, an organization of Cordillera women who now live in Toronto.

Vernie is with Innabuyog, the alliance of Indigenous women’s organization in the Cordilleras. She is also Executive Director of the Cordillera Women’s Education and Action Research Centre (CWEARC). Innabuyog/RIMM and CWEARC, a member of Innabuyog, are KAIROS partners in Asia and the Philippines that work on Indigenous rights and gender justice. Vernie is actively involved in KAIROS’ Women of Courage program and participated in the delegation to Colombia in 2010, the 2012 Living Courage Tour in Canada, as well as the TRC National Event in Montreal in 2013. In July 2013, Vernie hosted Jill Harris at a human rights conference in the Philippines. Jill, a member of the Penelakut First Nation on Vancouver Island, is a member of KAIROS’ Dignity and Rights Circle and another active participant in the Women of Courage program.

 

Vernie  
 

Whenever in Canada, Vernie never misses an opportunity to nurture relationships with partners, First Nation communities and Indigenous sisters from her community in the Philippines. On this recent trip, she visited with members of the Cape Croker and the Saugeen First Nations and shared strategies for building the Indigenous People’s Movement for Self Determination and Liberation, an organization established in 2010 in the Philippines that advocates for Indigenous peoples’ right to govern themselves.



For more information please contact:
Rachel Warden, Gender Justice coordinator (rwarden@kairoscanada.org)
or
Connie Sorio, Ecological Justice Partnerships Coordinator (csorio@kairoscanada.org)



 
 
 
 

Mountain-top Moments and the Valleys of Reconciliation: Reflections on Matthew 17:1-9
– by Marcie Gibson


“Justice Murray Sinclair states, ‘Reconciliation is about forging and maintaining respectful relationships. There are no shortcuts.’ As finishing touches are underway for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s seventh and final National Event in Edmonton, on March 27-30, 2014 (www.trc.ca), I am reflecting on the theological wisdom of such TRC events….”

Marcie Gibson’s timely reflection comments on both the TRC and this week’s Gospel reading. Marcie is a young diaconal minister, in ministry with Kahnawake United Church on Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, near Montréal, Québec. She has been involved in various social justice concerns over the years, and attended the April 2013 TRC National Event in Montréal as a volunteer.



Mountain Top view
 
     
 


Click here to make a donation to KAIROS today.

For more information, please visit our website:
www.kairoscanada.org


 
 

KAIROS Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
310 Dupont St. Suite 200, Toronto, ON, Canada M5R 1V9
Tel: 416-463-5312 | Toll-free: 1-877-403-8933| Fax: 416-463-5569