Indigenous Rights

KAIROS Blanket Exercise: The untold history of colonization in Canada that most people never learn

November 10, 2020

Since its creation in 1997, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) has been delivered thousands of times to tens of thousands of people of all ages and from all backgrounds by a wide variety of Indigenous and non-Indigenous facilitators. It is a unique…

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How the Indigenous Blanket Exercise destroyed my ego

November 4, 2020

Last January, the charity I worked for held its quadrennial staff gathering in Ottawa, where my department participated in an Indigenous Blanket Exercise. And boy did that not go as I expected. Note: this post is not sponsored or affiliated…

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5 Years of Truth and Reconciliation

November 3, 2020

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) released its Final Report in December 2015. Since then, KAIROS has worked hard to keep the TRC Report and 94 Calls to Action at the forefront of our social justice and education work in…

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Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous peoples calls on federal and provincial governments to honour and uphold Mi’kmaw fishing rights

November 2, 2020

The members of our coalition are appalled by acts of violence and intimidation against Mi’kmaw fishers exercising their Constitutionally protected, legally affirmed, inherent and Treaty rights. The federal and provincial governments bear responsibility for their long-standing failure to ensure that rights affirmed…

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CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS: Raise up the Year of Prayer Bundle, from coast to coast

November 2, 2020

Beginning on March 11, 2020, the KAIROS Steering Committee began a Year of Prayer for the persons, families and communities connected to The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the National…

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KAIROS Blanket Exercise Teaching & Sharing Circles: November 24

October 5, 2020

‘Building Positive Relationships between Indigenous & non-Indigenous Peoples’ Led by Indigenous Knowledge Keepers with extensive experience facilitating the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE), these interactive Zoom-based sessions aim to build positive relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people through truth, sharing, and open dialogue. Based in an Indigenous-world view and using Indigenous teachings and protocols,…

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Just transformation needed now: KAIROS responds to the 2020 Speech from the Throne

September 30, 2020

The Government of Canada addressed the pandemic – “our generation’s crossroad” – and how it plans to “build back better” in the much-anticipated Speech from the Throne on September 23. The speech touched on racism, gender and income inequality, the environmental crisis, dislocation, and the struggles facing Indigenous and global communities.   While the government addressed each issue separately, they intersect and are amplified by a pandemic that exacerbates human…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Indigenous Rights, Migrant Justice

Spirited Reflection: Poem by Albert Dumont on Orange Shirt Day

September 30, 2020

Sir John A. Macdonald by Albert Dumont © We, the Anishinabe, search the lifeless eyes  Of the many portraits proudly painted for Canada  To honour a man Canadians believe  Was an emblem for ‘decency, righteousness and vision’  “A hero” they say, “a…

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Spirit Bear and Children Make History Sept. 27 at 3 PM PDT

September 24, 2020

Suitable for all ages and important viewing for everyone, this event starts with a screening of the stop motion short that sees Michif animator Amanda Strong and Gitxsan child rights activist Cindy Blackstock adapt Spirit Bear’s books for the screen….

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Orange Shirt Day is about changing the legacy

September 23, 2020

September 30 is Orange Shirt Day – a day to remember students who attended Indian Residential Schools in Canada. The day is inspired by Phyllis Webstad’s experience. On her first day at residential school in 1973, Phyllis was stripped of her new orange shirt, a shirt that…

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#ICantBreathe and Environmental Racism in Ecuador

September 23, 2020

The death of George Floyd in the US has once again demonstrated that racism plays a prominent role in the dominant system and that its violence and cruelty can reach unimaginable limits. The incident quickly led to a wave of…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Indigenous Rights

KAIROS condemns surge in violence and massacres in Colombia

September 16, 2020

KAIROS joins several civil society organizations in Canada including human rights, labour, and church groups in supporting the Committee for Human Rights in Latin America’s (CDHAL) solidarity statement published earlier this week condemning the surge in violence and the massacres that have swept both urban and rural regions of Colombia in recent weeks.   The intensification of violence in…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Indigenous Rights

National implementation of UNDRIP is more urgent than ever

September 13, 2020

Anniversary of the Global Adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples  The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the UN General Assembly 13 years ago, on September 13th 2007, as a global minimum standard to address widespread, severe, and systemic violations of the…

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Indigenous curriculum key to Reconciliation in Canada

September 11, 2020

In 2018, KAIROS was encouraged by progress made by provincial and territorial governments in implementing the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada’s Call to Action 62.i (Education for Reconciliation).   That year, Alberta received a grade of Excellent in “Public Commitment” and Good for “Implementation” from KAIROS’ Education for Reconciliation (E4R) Report Card.   However, like others in…

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Table UN Declaration legislation this fall urges Indigenous rights coalition

August 17, 2020

The Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which is made up of Indigenous Nations and representative organizations, human rights groups and faith communities, including KAIROS, is urging the federal Minister of Justice to table legislation to implement the…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

KAIROS solidarity and support for the 1492 Land Back Lane Defenders

August 14, 2020

KAIROS joins others in expressing grave concern about the recent attacks against Haudenosaunee land defenders by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) on August 5, 2020. Whether in the Philippines or here on Turtle Island, we denounce violence against land defenders who are asserting inherent rights to self-determination and to free, prior and informed consent.  We call on the…

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#Ravensmessengersofchange FREE activity e-Book

June 29, 2020

If you’re looking to further your understanding on Indigenous rights, history and issues, consider downloading this FREE resource: Ravens: Messengers of Change e-bookDownload KAIROS and Legacy of Hope Foundation encourage schools, families, organizations, government officials and companies to participate in the resource’s…

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One year later, the wait continues

June 15, 2020

It comes as little surprise to Chrystal that one year later, the federal government has no action plan in place in response to the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women. Little was done in the lead up to the…

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Prayer of a white settler on National Indigenous Peoples Day 2020

June 15, 2020

by Shannon Neufeldt Photo by KS KYUNG on Unsplash   Creator God,  I come to you with a humble heart,   So grateful for Your creation,   this place I am in.    The land is full of Your glory this solstice day.  Sunlight sparkles on fresh…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections

KAIROS honours Women Land Defenders for Indigenous Women’s Month

June 14, 2020

June is Indigenous Women’s Month at KAIROS. As part of the month’s activities, KAIROS will launch on June 21st the Canadian phase of Mother Earth and Resource Extraction: Women Defending Land and Water (MERE Hub, for short). MERE is a living digital hub developed for and…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Indigenous Rights

Centering Black, Indigenous, women of colour in a post-pandemic recovery

June 12, 2020

It was a year ago, on June 3, when Canada received the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which delivered 231 individual calls for justice to governments, institutions and Canadians, based on…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Op Eds

June 16: virtual book launch for “Who Killed Berta Cáceres? Dams, Death Squads, and an Indigenous Defender’s Battle for the Planet”

June 10, 2020

[español sigue]  Join KAIROS’ MERE Hub on June 16th at 6:00pm EDT for Who Killed Berta Cáceres? Dams, Death Squads, and an Indigenous Defender’s Battle for the Planet—book launch. This virtual book launch will feature author and journalist Nina Lakhani as well as members of the Latin American Network of Women…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Indigenous Rights, Latin America

KAIROS Year of Prayer: Holding Close to our Hearts

June 10, 2020

Beginning on March 11, 2020, the KAIROS Steering Committee began a Year of Prayer for the persons, families and communities connected to The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the National…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights

Stories of residential school impacts experienced by Indigenous Women

June 3, 2020

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was formed 12 years ago, the Calls for Justice for  Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was released a year ago, and this Indigenous Women’s Month at KAIROS we join our voices…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections

This June is Indigenous Women’s Month at KAIROS

June 1, 2020

Throughout June, KAIROS will highlight and celebrate Indigenous women working to make change in Canada and the Global South. Through profiles, spotlights and by sharing inspiration, KAIROS aims to raise up those working to live in a good way, and to improve society…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Indigenous Rights

Post-pandemic Canada should centre the needs of Indigenous women

June 1, 2020

The month of June barrels towards us with an important reconciliation anniversary, a recent lack of action in support of the approaching one year anniversary for the #MMIWG calls for justice, and a worldwide pandemic raining down on what would…

Post filed in: Gender Justice/Women of Courage, Indigenous Rights, Op Eds