In Peace and Friendship
Indigenous Rights and Our Common Future
24 May 2012
Naramata Centre and Kairos Canada are collaborating in this program to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants to learn more about human rights and what we can do to move the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples from paper to action.
In 2008, the Canadian government apologized to former students of Indian Residential Schools for the abuses that they endured and from which generations continue to suffer. In 2010, the first public event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was held in Winnipeg, and after years of stalling, Canada quietly announced its endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Together, these moments should mark a turning point in the lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Yet First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada continue to face serious inequities, often borne by the most vulnerable.
What are our roles in turning this situation around? Join us as we work towards equity for Indigenous people in Canada. All of us share in the responsibility for making this an equitable country. For the mistakes of the past, Canadians need to hear and tell the truth. With the promise of reconciliation, Canadians need to end the inequities of the present.
During this three-day program we will focus on community building, sharing of experiences, learning from local Indigenous organizations and initiatives as they relate to the work of human rights education and empowering Indigenous leadership. Participants will learn more about themselves, make connections with others through worship and story sharing, learn about the UN declaration and be equipped with resources to continue the work of supporting Indigenous rights back at home. The World Council of Churches program on Indigenous Peoples is partnering with us by sending an Indigenous participant from Latin America to allow an opportunity for various perspectives to be heard and links to be made across borders.
We invite you to take part in this process to seek paths of reconciliation and envision ways to be communities and churches of peace and justice.
For more information about this program, please contact us: [email protected]
For more information and resources from Kairos Canada check out: http://www.kairoscanada.org/take-action/truth-equity-reconciliation/
Thursday May 24 at 5pm to Sunday May 27 at 1pm
Leader(s): Sara Stratton and Natalie Maxson
Sara is the Education and Campaigns Coordinator for Sustainability at KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives. Sara is a Newfoundlander, holds a PhD in History from York University, and is a birdwatcher. She has campaigned extensively on debt cancellation, Indigenous rights, peace and security, refugee rights, water as a human right, energy policy, and climate justice. Sara coordinated the 2009 Church Leaders’ delegation to the Alberta tar sands, and is currently the Education and Campaigns Coordinator for the Sustainability team at KAIROS.
Natalie (aka Nan) is a Program Director at Naramata Centre. She has travelled extensively and has led numerous leadership programs around the world through her previous work with the World Council of Churches. Nan completed the Indigenous Self-Governance Program through the University of Victoria. She is completing an M.A. through the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto focusing on Indigenous rights. Some of her areas of leadership and interest include youth leadership, music, outdoor education and pop-theology.
Cost: $495 plus taxes. Private room add $75
For more information please visit the website.