The following open letter was sent to the leaders of Canada’s political parties As organizations and individuals with expertise in anti-racism, law, and/or human rights, we write to express our deep concern about the use of anti-terrorism powers to address the threat of White supremacism. The growth, proliferation, and emboldening of White supremacist and far-right … read more
This article was published in The Hill Times, February 15, 2021 The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in Call to Action No. 48, specifically called upon all faith communities “to formally adopt and comply with the principles, norms, and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation.” … read more
Below is an open letter from Indigenous activists, scholars and leaders who have been deeply engaged in the long struggle to advance the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As many of these individuals are our long-time partners we are sharing their words to help amplify their message. For more than two decades, … read more
Brew some tea and join Canadian Friends Service Committee on the last Thursday of every month this year for an online evening of discussion, sharing, and Friendship. Our series Get to Know Thee, Friend is a chance to meet Friends from across Canada and learn about their experience with Friends and with service work. Register … read more
“Indigenous peoples must be part of decision making when our rights and well-being are at stake. Working with us to determine what that looks like is the smart thing to do. It will lead to fewer acrimonious decisions, fewer court battles, more timely decisions, and better outcomes for us all.”–Chief Wilton Littlechild, addressing United Nations … read more
Canadian Friends Service Committee is offering a free interactive peace skills workshop series! You can join a group to learn together, doing activities from our award-winning book Are We Done Fighting? Building Understanding in a World of Hate and Division. Leading figures in peacebuilding and human rights promotion are calling the book “a joy,” “exceptionally … read more
Multiple churches have written to Minister of Justice and Attorney General David Lametti to support Bill C-15 the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Read the open letter below. Minister David Lametti, We write to express our appreciation for your government’s tabling of Bill C-15; legislation to implement the UN Declaration on … read more
The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons became law today and multiple groups are planning events and actions to celebrate! Find details here: https://worldbeyondwar.org/122canada/ We joined hundreds of organizations and individuals in taking out a multi-page ad in the Hill Times. The ad explains that Canada did not take part in negotiating the … read more
To celebrate our 90th anniversary we’re digging into our archives. One find was this video of Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator Jennifer Preston, shot by associate member Don Alexander in early 2008, a few months after the United Nations had adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In the video, Jennifer tells the behind-the-scenes … read more
CFSC welcomes the tabling today of Bill C-15, federal legislation toward ensuring that Canada implements the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples, of which we’re a part, made the following public statement. Federal bill to implement UN Declaration a welcome step in the right … read more