KAIROS to meet Archbishop Tutu at conference spotlighting Indigenous rights and oilsands
Toronto –KAIROS Canada will travel to Fort McMurray to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the As Long As the Rivers Flow: Coming Back to the Treaty Relationship in Our Time conference, May 31-June 1. Archbishop Tutu says climate change is a moral struggle and that we must all consider how Alberta’s oilsands impact the climate, Indigenous rights, and the global community – a position echoed by KAIROS, which represents 11 Canadian churches and religious organizations.
KAIROS’ Executive Director, Jennifer Henry and Program Manager, Ed Bianchi will attend the conference, which will explore how treaties protect the environment, shape resource development, and address the promise of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. The conference is sponsored by Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP.
Following the conference, Henry and Bianchi will visit Fort Chipewyan to follow up on a delegation organized by KAIROS in 2009 that was comprised of leaders from Canadian churches and church organizations, as well as Indigenous representatives from British Columbia, Ecuador and Nigeria.
“As Christians, we seek a positive role in the care of God’s creation, right relations among peoples, and economic justice – all of which raise questions about the Alberta oilsands,” says Henry. “Archbishop Tutu brings to Canada a powerful message regarding the urgency of climate change and need to protect the Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations who are directly impacted by oilsands projects.”
WHAT KAIROS presence at As Long As the Rivers Flow: Coming Back to the Treaty Relationship in Our Time conference.
WHEN Saturday, May 31 to Sunday, June 1. Interview opportunity: May 31 at 11am – after Archbishop Tutu’s Keynote address. Interviews are welcome anytime during the conference and via telephone at 613-799-1995 (cell).
WHERE ACDEN Building: 220 Taiganova Crescent, Fort McMurray, Alberta.
WHO Jennifer Henry, Executive Director, KAIROS Canada.
KAIROS Canada is a social justice organization of eleven Canadian churches and religious organizations. It focuses on Indigenous rights, international human rights and ecological justice. KAIROS deliberates on issues of common concern, advocates for social change and joins with people of faith and goodwill in action for social transformation. For more visit: www.kairoscanada.org.
– 30 –
Media Contact:
Siobhan Rowan, Organizational Development Manager, KAIROS Canada
416-463-5312 ext. 224, srowan@kairoscanada.org
Ed Bianchi, Manager, KAIROS Canada
613-799-1995 (cell), ebianchi@kairoscanada.org
