Archive for 2011
Lawsuits on mining-related abuses will test limits of Canadian law
July 7, 2011
Four groundbreaking lawsuits have been launched in Canada over the past two years by plaintiffs alleging that they or their family members suffered grave human rights violations linked to the activities of Canadian mining companies operating abroad. KAIROS is hopeful…
Post filed in: Africa, Ecological Justice
Ellen Gabriel’s speech at the Roll with the Declaration event on Parliament Hill, June 20, 2011
July 4, 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…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Cindy Blackstock’s speech at KAIROS’ Roll with the Declaration event at the Human Rights Monument, Ottawa, June 20 2011
July 4, 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…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Flickr Slideshow of the ‘Roll with the Declaration’ action in Ottawa on June 20
June 28, 2011
Thanks for the marvelous photos by Julie Graham, Art Babbish and Renauld Gregoire.
Post filed in: UNDRIP Blog Updates, Video Playlists & Photo Albums
KAIROS joins call for investigation into the murder of yet another mining activist in El Salvador
June 27, 2011
KAIROS is deeply saddened and concerned to learn that another environmental and community activist has been murdered in El Salvador. We join civil society organizations in El Salvador and Canada in calling for a full investigation into the murder of…
Post filed in: Latin America
Rolling East!
June 19, 2011
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…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Halifax Banner Train Event
June 19, 2011
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…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Last stop: Capreol!
June 18, 2011
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…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Halifax Banner Train – one more sleep!
June 18, 2011
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…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Warm reunions in Sioux Lookout
June 17, 2011
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…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Taking over the station in Winnipeg
June 17, 2011
Winnipeg MB, 9:00PM, Thursday The station in Winnipeg is, fittingly, very close the Forks of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. This is an historic gathering ground whose history stretches back millennia. Here trade and friendship between Aboriginal and European peoples…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Honouring Treaty 4 in Melville
June 17, 2011
Melville SK, 1:00PM Thursday We rolled through increasingly flat and open land, with Bert proclaiming that the absence of mountains was making this Shuswap feel just a little too out in the open. Ten people from Fort Qu’Appelle and Melville…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
One big banner in Saskatoon
June 17, 2011
Saskatoon SK, 9:00AM Thursday We stepped off the train in Saskatoon to bright skies and clear Prairie winds. Down the platform, taking up most of its width, came ten banners strung together and carried by 15 waving people. We added…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Early morning rain in Edmonton with a hardy band
June 17, 2011
Edmonton AB, 1:30AM Thursday From Jasper we rode through the folded granite slopes of the Rockies and onto the rolling countryside west of Edmonton that is the western border of the enormous territories of the Cree. Signal problems and freight…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Early morning energy in Kamloops
June 16, 2011
Kamloops, 6:30AM, June 15. I counted 25 people of all ages on the platform this cool morning, laughing and cheering as Shuswap elders Minnie Kenoras and Bert Deneault posed by a sleeper car, standing next to an eagle staff and…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Vancouver Banner Train send off
June 16, 2011
Late evening, June 14. The rain held off almost long enough as 15 of us gathered outside the Pacific Central station in Vancouver on Coast Salish territory. An eagle chased by an energetic crow soared past as we corralled the…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
A remembrance from the Blanket Train, June 2001
June 14, 2011
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound…” Old hymns kept us company as we waited for the train of fellow travellers and their solidarity baggage to come in from Western Canada. The staff at Toronto’s Union Station looked with curiosity, but…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Taking the train from Vancouver
June 14, 2011
On Tuesday night the first banner train gets underway, heading across thousands of kilometres and nine banner drop offs (and counting) to Toronto. Local readers, please note: There will be a send off at the park across from Pacific Station…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Vancouver KAIROS banner bee
June 13, 2011
KAIROS Vancouver members decided to add to their already busy lives and hold a final banner-making this Sunday. Susan and Bill Draper from KAIROS Victoria came over to the mainland with all the Vancouver Island and Gulf Island banners and…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
Remembrance and Resistance
May 27, 2011
10 years is a long time. It’s amazing what you remember. I remember coming into my office at Deer Park United Church on Monday, June 4, 2001, to find colleagues frantically trying to determine the whereabouts of Kimy Pernia Domico,…
Post filed in: Latin America, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Joint Statement on Free, Prior & Informed Consent (FPIC)
May 25, 2011
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Tenth session New York, 16-27 May 2011 Agenda Item 3(c): Free, prior and informed consent Joint Statement of: Assembly of First Nations, Chiefs of Ontario, Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee), First Nations Summit,…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
May 25, 2011
UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Adopted by the UN General Assembly 13 September 2007 “The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday September 13, by a majority of…
Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates
Women Working for Justice
May 16, 2011
Last month, we marked the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day (IWD). Yet women’s historic struggle for better working conditions, better wages and improved benefits is far from over. In fact, it is at a critical stage in this era…
Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Spirited Reflections
KAIROS Times: May 2011
May 15, 2011
Read the May 2011 issue.
Post filed in: KAIROS Times E-Newsletter
Women’s Rights : Instruments for Lasting Peace
May 14, 2011
‘Women’s Rights : Instruments for Lasting Peace’ contributes research and analysis to the KAIROS Women of Courage Initiative , a program of research, education, networking and advocacy to promote women’s rights and support women’s rights defenders in the global South….
Post filed in: Africa, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Latin America
World Week of Peace for Palestine and Israel 2011 resource available
May 6, 2011
Every year, the World Council of Churches hosts a Week of Peace for Palestine and Israel. They offer liturgical resources and background material, this time with a focus on Jerusalem. The WCC calls on us to remember the struggle of Palestinian…
Post filed in: Middle East
Ecumenical Conference on Mining – Final Statement
May 5, 2011
(Conferencia Ecuménica sobre Minería >>) Gathered under a banner bearing Psalm 24’s reminder – “The Earth is God’s, and all that is in it” – about 150 people from all parts of the Earth considered the impact of Canadian mining…
Post filed in: Ecological Justice
Conférence œcuménique sur l’exploitation minière – Finale
May 5, 2011
Réunies sous une bannière qui rappelle l’exhortation du Psaume 24 : « La terre et ses richesses appartiennent à Dieu » – environ 150 personnes de toutes les régions du monde ont réfléchi aux retombées des sociétés minières canadiennes…
Post filed in: En français