“We can be Idle NO More”

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 the government of Canada. This is indeed a good step towards making right our relationship with First Nations’ people. On Friday this week, KAIROS Canada, www.kairoscanada.org is inviting faith communities and others to join in a day of fast as a symbolic action of solidarity with our First Nations brothers and sisters. We invite all the readers of this blog to join us in this action. 

I am also adding to this, a copy of the letter that our Office for Systemic Justice wrote to the Prime Minister on January 2^nd, on behalf of all the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada, urging him to sit down with First Nations’ Leaders. 

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

As non-Indigenous Canadians, we are keenly aware that our relationship with the Indigenous peoples of Canada is founded on colonial patterns and practices that have shaped significantly the poverty and marginalization of the First Nations peoples.  In the light of this reality, we urge you, as the prime minister of our country, to engage Chief Teresa Spence in the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation process. 

As you noted in the 2008 apology to Indigenous peoples, Canada has long needed a new and just relationship with the First Nations.  Chief Spence’s request to begin a new process of consultation with regard to the nation to nation relationship between Canada and First Nations can be seen as another opportunity to shift the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada.

Chief Spence’s fast is a particularly stark example of the desires for transformation that are gathering around the Idle No More movement in Canada. This movement is spotlighting the many critical issues that need to be addressed if we are truly to have reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people: poverty, housing, sanitation, water, health and education as well as water rights and land rights. 

Like many Canadians, we share Indigenous concerns about these issues. In addition, we believe that the protection of aboriginal and treaty rights also can be an effective vehicle for protecting the land, water, plants and animals. It is one of many ways that all Canadians can benefit from Indigenous traditions.

We believe that this is a graced moment in Canada. We urge you to respond to both Chief Teresa Spence and the wider Idle No More movement in the true spirit of reconciliation, thereby opening all people in Canada to a future filled with hope. (written by Sue Wilson, CSJ)

There is a time for everything… Now is the time!

Joan Atkinson, CSJ

The end of the world as we know it . . .

I am borrowing this title from a conference hosted by KAIROS Canada a few years ago, where one of the key messages that I remember is that we must pay attention to the impact of climate change and how our human behaviours are contributing to life on the planet. For Canadians this is particularly important given the development of the tar sands and the transport of that fuel.

Although in his message below Bill McKibben of 350.org speaks about the US concerning the impact on the planet of the fossil fuel industry Canada also needs to pay attention to and take seriously the warnings about climate change. In the last couple of days a debate has been unfolding between Alberta and British Columbia concerning the Northern Gateway Pipeline.  It seems some of the debate centres around guarantees about environmental protections in British Columbia, but even stronger differences concern the sharing of profits. The federal government has weighed in saying how disappointed it is and that this could affect development and the prosperity of all Canadians. Of course the prosperity of all Canadians is important, but not at the expense of the future of our planet.

More importantly, for all of us planet dwellers, we need to wake up to the fast progression of climate change and how it is going to affect each of us. It can no longer be disputed—our dependence on fossil fuel is affecting our climate. I encourage you to read Bill McKibben’s message and learn how many others are taking notice. Join your voice with so many others from around the world because the future is in our hands.

Joan Atkinson csj

A message from Bill McKibben:

Last week, Rolling Stone magazine published a piece of mine that I think may be the most important writing I've done since The End of Nature, way back in 1989. (And no, it's not the profile of Justin Bieber.)

Warning: it’s pretty long, and it’s not entirely cheerful. Indeed, it shows that the business plans of the fossil fuel industry will wreck the planet -- that they’ve already got enough carbon in their reserves to drive the heat past anyone’s definition of okay.

Click here to read and share the piece: www.350.org/rollingstone

If you read it, you’ll get a sense of the direction that the climate movement (and 350.org) is headed.

In the United States, we've got iconic battles underway in every part of the country and against all forms of fossil fuel. We're fighting the Keystone XL pipeline in Texas and in Congress, coal exports in the Pacific Northwest, mountaintop removal coal mining in West Virginia, and fracking all across the country. We're pushing US politicians hard to withdraw their support for wasteful and dangerous fossil fuel subsidies, and we're just getting started.

Across the globe, we're holding workshops to train the next generation of climate activists. Every day we're watching the number of energized, self-organized local groups tick up. We're inspired by the brave organizing work being done around the world to confront the fossil fuel industry, from Borneo to Kosovo. And we're excited about what's to come.

All this is beginning to coalesce into a true movement against the heart of this most dangerous industry. I'm awfully glad you're a part of it, and I hope you're managing to stay cool and safe.

On we go,

P.S. And if you have reactions to and thoughts about that Rolling Stone piece please send them in to "thoughts@350.org". The analysis – the math – the that's in there is going to form the basis of a lot of our work going forward, and it would be useful to hear how it strikes you.

Shifting Priorities

Have you noticed what’s happening with Canada’s International Development funds (CIDA)?

A little over a year ago, KAIROS: CANADIAN ECUMENICAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES lost CIDA funding for critical human rights and sustainable development work in the global South.  After receiving an excellent evaluation from CIDA for their development work, a new KAIROS proposal for funding was rejected, despite positive appraisals of the proposal from CIDA staff.

This year something similar happened to Development and Peace, another justice-based organization with a stellar reputation.  The original proposal (submitted by Development and Peace in July 2010), was to support sustainable development projects in 20 countries over five years for a contribution by CIDA of $49.2 million.  Instead, CIDA signed a revamped agreement for $14.9 million over 5 years.  It will cover 7 countries and includes support for the public engagement programs of Development and Peace and its 10,000 members.  It’s better than nothing but the reality is that this reduced funding will undermine significant development work all over the world.

This decision means that important projects, in areas such as democracy and citizen participation, human rights, alternative economic development, empowerment of women, conflict resolution and peace-building will lose funding.  And it is particularly disturbing that CIDA offered so little support for projects in African countries.  Development and Peace projects address the root causes of poverty and injustice.  They make critical contributions to the development of a better world.  It is disturbing to realize that this work does not fit with our government’s development priorities.  Instead, CIDA appears to be making decisions based on which proposals support the corporate agenda (e.g. funding project proposals from mining companies) and the military agenda.

It seems to me that it is time to shift the government’s priorities.  But it will only happen if Canadians let the government know that they don’t like what’s happening.  A fitting task for Holy Week…

Sue Wilson csj

Cross-Canada Action in Support of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Today faith leaders from across Canada will gather in Ottawa celebrating the endorsement of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. People from across the country have created and will carry an enormous banner to the Human Rights Monument via Parliament Hill.  This day has been carefully planned by KAIROS-the Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives. 

On November 12, 2010 the Canadian federal government endorsed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This is an important international human rights instrument and by signing on Canada is committing itself to “a constructive relationship based on the core principles of mutual understanding, respect, ensuring mutually acceptable outcomes and accountability”.  The government of Canada is on record as saying that the situation facing First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples is our number one human rights issue. Recently, our former Auditor General, Sheila Fraser, echoed what the government has said. For our Indigenous peoples implementation of the UN Declaration is critical to addressing the socio-economic conditions facing Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Canada is rated among the top five to ten countries in the world in which to live. If Indigenous communities used this same scale, they would rate in the high sixties or low seventies. These communities are among the poorest members of our society. Their life expectancy is among the lowest.  Fewer students graduate from high school. Their schools lack resources most other students take for granted. Their homes often are unhealthy and in bad need of repair. Access to clear water is limited in many communities.  The suicide rate in Indigenous communities is among the highest in the world.  At the root of any one of these problems is the reality that Indigenous rights are not respected. This is why the UN Declaration is so important because it can be a mechanism to ensure going forward that Canada respects their human rights. 

A few months ago, I was at a meeting with some KAIROS staff whose job is to keep a focus on relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples in Canada. In a rather unconscious way, I was prepared to hear again what had happened to the Indigenous Peoples in Canada – a story I was quite familiar with, being a history teacher. During the course of the day, I was surprised by something that shifted in me. I was not only hearing about what had happened to the Indigenous people, but I was part of that story.  As a Canadian, I was also seeing what part we as white settlers and white government played in creating the reality of unfair distribution of the wealth and resources facing Indigenous people today in Canada.  I am not a passive citizen.   

The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples said in its report in 1996 stated that the goal of the Indigenous peoples is not to undermine Canada, but to complete it. Today, the celebrations in Ottawa and in other places across Canada, is something all Canadians should be proud to celebrate. This can be the beginning of a rewriting of our Canadian story.

Joan Atkinson, CSJ    

“Not” All It Seems to Be: KAIROS’ Loss of CIDA Funding

The truth has a way of coming out. Once again, KAIROS is all over the news. If you’re not familiar with it, KAIROS is an ecumenical justice initiative representing, and funded by, 11 Christian denominations and organizations. The Sisters of St. Joseph of London are long-time funders and supporters of its work in the areas of human rights and ecological sustainability. As part of this work, KAIROS funds 21 ecumenical and citizen’s organizations in Latin America, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.  For example, in the Congo, KAIROS funding supports a women’s legal clinic, Héritiers de la Justice, which addresses rampant gender-based violence and works against rape as a weapon of war.

From 1973 - 2009, KAIROS, and its precursor organizations, received funding from CIDA for this crucial work.  Then, on November 30, 2009 KAIROS received notice from CIDA that their project proposal for 2009-2013 had been declined.  KAIROS was not given an explanation for this decision, other than the statement that the project did not fit CIDA priorities.  It was a perplexing explanation because the proposal had been deemed by CIDA staff to be within CIDA criteria and priorities throughout the approval process

In October 2010, Embassy magazine and Canadian Press broke the news that CIDA officials had, in fact, recommended approval of KAIROS’ 2009 CIDA application.  These officials stated that KAIROS met CIDA priorities so fully that KAIROS should receive a small increase to their proposed funding.  Furthermore, documents obtained through Access to Information requests revealed that the application was signed off by CIDA as recommended for approval.  However, a handwritten, unattributed “NOT” was inserted that reversed the decision.  Despite appearances before a parliamentary committee and persistent questioning in the House of Commons, to date, we still don’t know who wrote in the “NOT.”  

On December 9, 2010 Minister Oda appeared before a Commons committee and stated that she did not insert the “NOT” and she didn’t know who did. On February 10, 2011, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Peter Milliken, released an important ruling on Minister Bev Oda’s handling of the KAIROS file, referring to the CIDA document as having been deliberately “doctored.”  The Globe and Mail quotes him as saying, “Any reasonable person confronted with what appears to have transpired would necessarily be extremely concerned, if not shocked, and might well begin to doubt the integrity of certain decision-making processes […] In particular, the senior CIDA officials concerned must be deeply disturbed by the doctored document they have been made to appear to have signed.”  On February 14, 2011 Minister Oda acknowledged that it was her decision to go against the CIDA staff recommendation but gave no answer as to who wrote the word “NOT” on the document.

It is within the Minister’s purview to reject an application for funding.  However, I think most Canadians expect a Minister’s decision-making to be transparent and accountable.  If the Minister wanted to reject the KAIROS proposal, it was incumbent upon her to do so openly and to explain truthfully her reasons for doing so. Decisions about international aid should not be politicized. KAIROS and their partners in the global South should not be used as political pawns.

KAIROS has re-applied for funding from CIDA. To date, they have not received word on whether the new proposal, which is equally strong, will be funded.  I have no doubt that CIDA staff will approve of this proposal, and I hope beyond hope that the Minister will approve it as well.  But here is the bottom-line:  If it is not approved, I, like many other Canadians, will want a direct and truthful explanation of the reasons for rejecting it.

This is a matter of transparency and accountability for the government.  And it is a matter of justice for KAIROS as well as the many global partners who have been denied crucial funding for the important work that they do. As CIDA evaluations demonstrate, the human rights work of these partners in the global South is exactly the kind of transformative international development that Canada should be funding and any rejection of this work requires a good explanation.

Sue Wilson, CSJ
Office For Systemic Justice