UNDRIP Blog Updates

Sixth Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

September 13, 2013

September 12 marked the sixth anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. KAIROS has endorsed a Joint Statement that marks this anniversary – Indigenous Peoples have the right to make…

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First Nations Challenge Foreign Investment Protection Agreements: Policy Briefing Paper #36

September 5, 2013

In August 2013, KAIROS welcomed Brenda Sayers, a band councillor from the Hupacasath First Nation on Vancouver Island. Brenda explained eloquently why the Hupacasath had filed a request in a federal court seeking a judicial review of the federal government’s…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

Lutherans and Anglicans Issue Joint Declaration on Resource Extraction

July 17, 2013

At their historic Joint Assembly on July 4 and 5, 2013, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada discussed and passed a resolution committing their churches to action on the impacts of resource extraction on…

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Mining in Mexico … Through Canadian Eyes

April 25, 2013

In February 2013, KAIROS network member Janette McIntosh (who is also a Presbyterian appointment to and co-chair of our Ecumenical Circle of Collaboration on Sustainability) represented KAIROS on a delegation to mining-affected communities in Mexico. Her thoughtful reflections on this…

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United Church Launches Petition to Regulate Canadian Mining Companies Overseas

April 25, 2013

As a result of decisions taken at its 41st General Council in August 2012, the United Church of Canada has launched a petition campaign to encourage “the regulation of Canadian mining companies and their practices abroad.” Please consider acting on…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

KAIROS Earth Day Action to Protect Water!

April 22, 2013

Earth Day greetings from KAIROS! Today, as we honour creation, KAIROS asks you to join us in advocating with your MP for the protection of Canada’s waters, and for right relationship with Indigenous peoples. Omnibus bills C-38 and C-45 have…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

“Process Water” Spill at Suncor – More Bad News for Canada’s Water

March 26, 2013

On Tuesday, March 26, Suncor announced that there had been a leak of “process water” (water used in the chemical process of separating bitumen from tar sands) at its tar sands plant north of Fort McMurray. What does this mean…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

Building two bridges: Speech by Dr. Cindy Blackstock

February 22, 2013

Dr. Cindy Blackstock is the Director of The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society. She gave this speech at a national event in support of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. KAIROS , over 20 national organizations, and…

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The Campaign to Erode Aboriginal and Treaty Rights

January 31, 2013

“For almost 15 years, the federal Department of Justice has conducted a campaign to erode the consitutional and legal status of Aboriginal and Treaty rights in Canada.” Signed by more than four dozen experts in the field of Indigenous Rights…

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Who is the Government of Canada Listening To?

January 22, 2013

A slew of new legislation that undermines both Indigenous rights and environmental protection in Canada points to the fact that the petroleum and pipeline industries have significant influence on the Government of Canada’s legislative agenda. A December 12, 2011 letter…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

KAIROS Calls for Solidarity Fast with Chief Spence January 11

January 4, 2013

On Friday, January 4, the Prime Minister announced that he would meet with First Nations leaders on January 11, the one month anniversary of Chief Theresa Spence’s fast to bring attention to the treaty relationship between First Nations and Canada….

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Message from the Executive Director for Chief Theresa Spence

December 21, 2012

Dear Chief Theresa Spence, On behalf of KAIROS, I write to offer you support. We offer prayers for your continued strength and health of body, mind and spirit as you pursue the non-violent resistance strategy of a hunger strike. During…

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Stand in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

December 19, 2012

Hunger strikes, protests, singing and drumming are all part of the call to stop legislation that undermines Indigenous rights and the environment. Theresa Spence, Chief of Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, courageously began a hunger strike on December 11th…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

Education and action campaign to raise awareness of Inuit food security issues

June 14, 2012

KAIROS Indigenous Rights Circle member-at-large, Deborah Tagornak, and four other Inuit women met in KAIROS’ Ottawa office today to launch an education and action campaign to raise awareness of the impact on the Inuit of the extremely high cost of…

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Our Dreams Matter Too

June 11, 2012

On the fourth anniversary of the federal governments’ official apology to the former students of Indian residential schools, KAIROS joined over 500 elementary school students who walked from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill today to call for culturally based equity…

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It’s time for justice: Civil society groups urge Ontario to respect and uphold the rights of Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishnabek Grassy Narrows

June 5, 2012

Representatives of the Grassy Narrows First Nation are in Toronto this week for River Run 2012, a community-led initiative that continues a tradition of “action for justice – for our people, and for the protection of the water, air and…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

Take Action on World Water Day 2012!

March 22, 2012

Today, March 22, is World Water Day.  Yet Canada has still failed to implement a National Water Policy which would ensure the safety of Canadian water.  Canada is also one of only two countries at the United Nations General Assembly…

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International Day for the Elimination of Racism: UN Committee calls for an end to discrimination against Indigenous peoples in Canada

March 21, 2012

In 1966, to commemorate the killing by police of peaceful anti-apartheid demonstrators in South Africa, and to promote an end to racism in all its forms, the United Nations designated March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of…

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UN Committee calls for “comprehensive strategy” to uphold the human rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada

March 15, 2012

The United Nation’s highest body for combating racism is urging Canada to take comprehensive action to end discrimination against Indigenous peoples. In a report released this week, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination expressed concern over Canada’s…

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JOINT MEDIA ADVISORY: UN Committee urged to examine discrimination against Canadian Indigenous peoples

February 17, 2012

“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…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Media Releases, UNDRIP Blog Updates

Ontario Chiefs Letter to CRC in support of Youth Ambassadors to UNCRC

February 6, 2012

“Dear Committee Member: I am writing to demonstrate my support to both the delegation of Indigenous youth ambassadors from Canada travelling to Geneva this week, and to their request that a Special Rapporteur be appointed to address ongoing human rights…

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Attawapiskat Joint Statement: Urgent action needed to improve living conditions in Aboriginal communities

December 8, 2011

Canada must meet its human rights obligations. Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right to enjoy the same standard of living and access to government services that are enjoyed by other people in Canada. They have the right to live…

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Attawapiskat: a hard look at the federal government’s response so far

December 2, 2011

1 December 2011 KAIROS Urgent Action Background information As of November 30, federal leaders and the Red Cross have now visited the northern Ontario Cree community of Attawapiskat, which is a step forward. The Red Cross is flying in emergency…

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Ecuador’s Oil Struggle: Reflections on an Amazonian Journey

November 25, 2011

In July 2011, KAIROS staff Rachel Warden and Sara Stratton, together with Fort Chipewyan activist George Poitras, travelled to Ecuador to learn more about the impacts of oil exploration on the Indigenous peoples and ecosystems of Ecuador’s Amazon region. The…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, Latin America, UNDRIP Blog Updates

Truth, Reconciliation & Equity Video

November 7, 2011

KAIROS’ opening video for the Truth, Reconciliation & Equity Campaign, focusing on the Roll with the Declaration action on June 20 in Ottawa.

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Global South Expresses Concern about REDD

November 4, 2011

REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) is a plan for curtailing greenhouse gas emissions by preserving the world’s forests. KAIROS has examined REDD in the 2010 briefing paper Decisive Action Vital at Cancún Climate Talks. This initiative will…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

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

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