Roll with the Declaration Blog
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...]
THANK YOU to the Ottawa organizing committee-the faces and hands behind an amazing day
We all know just how many people it takes to pull off a public event. Ottawa is the scene of enough public events that extra planning and attention to security questions is needed, especially since the day moved between three national sites. Taking on such an event is no easy task, and the KAIROS community across the land relied on Ottawa folks to pull it all off. For many months, the Ottawa local planning committee was hard at work, dealing with everything from permits to water and food to music. And above all, they planned an agenda that encompassed Inuit, Métis and First Nations peoples and included a sacred Indigenous site, the House of Commons, a monument to the human rights for which … [Read more...]
Ellen Gabriel's speech at the Roll with the Declaration event on Parliament Hill, June 20, 2011
Ellen Gabriel, Mohawk, Turtle Clan, Longhouse from Kanehsatà:ke (Ellen speaks on the Hill with Families of Sisters in Spirit in accompaniment.) I am very honoured to be here today upon the invitation of Kairos and their wonderful initiative “Roll with the Declaration”. I would like to thank Ed Bianchi and Kairos for organizing this event. It is also important to have a special acknowledgement to one of the members of Kairos, the Quakers, in particular Jennifer Preston and Craig Benjamin of Amnesty International, who worked hard and diligently during the negotiations of the UNDRIP. It is exactly this kind of unconditional solidarity that is required in the implementation of the … [Read more...]
Cindy Blackstock's speech at KAIROS’ Roll with the Declaration event at the Human Rights Monument, Ottawa, June 20 2011
Cindy Blackstock. The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society Canada builds two bridges for children over the turbulent waters of life’s hazards. One is for non-Aboriginal children- which could be much stronger for a wealthy nation- but thankfully most children make it to the other side. Then there is the half a bridge that Canada builds for First Nations children. When First Nations and their many non-Aboriginal allies call out for help as children struggle, the Government of Canada asks why we are not thankful for the half a bridge they built for us. As the Auditor General, Standing Committee on Public Accounts, and the Government’s own documents reveal, child welfare, … [Read more...]
Flickr Slideshow of the 'Roll with the Declaration' action in Ottawa on June 20
Thanks for the marvelous photos by Julie Graham, Art Babbish and Renauld Gregoire. … [Read more...]
Rolling East!
Unlike the Western train, the stops on the Ocean are rarely more than an hour apart. About 45 minutes after departing Halifax I was hopping out of the open door to meet our awesome supporters in Truro, NS. Unfortunately in the 3 minute stop I only had time to see the tail end of the great event they held. I did hear the last bars of a song written by KAIROS’ friend Doris McCallum and played by the local minister on his Saxophone! Another whole bag of banners got on the train in Truro and so did my two other traveling companions, Doris and Joanna. The five of us formed, in my opinion, the most fun group on the train. Doris and Joanna’s amazing knowledge and support for this cause were … [Read more...]
Halifax Banner Train Event
For my first out of province event for KAIROS, I wasn’t sure what to expect at the Eastern banner train send-off event in Halifax. However, I could never have imagined the wonderful support and solidarity of the approximately 50 attendees at the Cornwallis Park gathering. The event was scheduled for 10:45 am, but when I arrived to meet Rev. Margaret Sagar, the chief organizer of the Halifax event, at 10:00 am there were already nearly 10 people and banners unfurled in the park, and the Indigenous guests at the event assembling a drum. Over the next half an hour supporters continued to fill the park until we had enough banners to surround the statue of Cornwallis (look up his history to … [Read more...]
Last stop: Capreol!
Capreol ON, 1:00AM Saturday Our last stop! Capreol is about 25 minutes west of Sudbury, for those not acquainted with this historic stopping point. We were met on the platform by Dave, Pat, Faye, Laura, Brandy and Cameron (who had a greatly extended bedtime and was wise enough not to be impressed with this) and two United Church banners from the local church and the Presbytery. We had a good visit and Minnie and Bert again used the Kamloops United Churches’ banner to good effect, because it shows a map of Secwepemc territory. Many thanks to the banner makers and to those who so cheerfully and energetically came to share in the send off. The people gathered here tonight offer a lot of … [Read more...]
Halifax Banner Train – one more sleep!
Friday Afternoon. Sitting in Toronto's City Centre Airport this morning, I finally realized that this momentous campaign is actually underway. With Julie halfway home from Vancouver, billets being organized by volunteers in Ottawa, and towns and cities west of Ontario already meeting in solidarity with First Nations elders on their way to Ottawa, I think the Roll With the Declaration Campaign is definitely in full swing! Out of the office, with planning in other capable hands, I can finally take the time to reflect on what KAIROS, our network, and the many endorsing organizations are really trying to achieve! (There is also something to be said for sunshine, an ocean breeze, and great … [Read more...]
Warm reunions in Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout, ON. 7:00AM Friday We went to sleep to a full moon shining on water and trees and woke early to misty lakes reflecting a perfect pink and blue sky. The long gravel landing platform and unfortunately derelict, lovely old station at Sioux Lookout pulled into view, and so did seven people waving and carrying banners. We were joined by Millie, one of a number of passengers who has been talking with Minnie and Bert and asking what the banners are about. It was wonderful to see Terry Lynne, Aileen, Garnet and others again. Sioux Lookout is in Anishnaabe territory, and in this mixed community there can be real tensions between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, including the … [Read more...]
