When I close my eyes and think about lived experience, I can still hear the words of children and youth I’ve met over the years: “They asked me questions in front of my parents. I couldn’t say anything with them in the room.” “It took me a year to say something to the teacher. I…
Young Canadians are worried about the state of the world. A perfect storm of a pandemic, climate change, and a steady stream of images of conflict are contributing to this. With regard to the environment, concern that their parents and grandparents are passing them a world on fire is leading many youth to feel angry,…
In the first few weeks at my new job at CFSC I got a text from Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator Jennifer Preston: “So! What do you think about coming to Vancouver?” With excitement I told her, “Of course, I’d love to.” A few weeks later I set off from my home office in Ontario to…
At the end of April and beginning of May, multiple members of CFSC once again participated (virtually) in the two-week sessions of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The Coalition on the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples had a joint statement which was presented by Sheryl Lightfoot (you can read the statement at https://QuakerService.ca/UNPFII2022).…
Canadians call on NATO to reduce nuclear risks Canada, as a member of NATO, relies on threats to use nuclear weapons. In April we joined a wide range of signatories in calling on Canada to energize negotiations by all governments toward nuclear disarmament. Find out more at: https://QuakerService.ca/NATONuclearRisks Discerning social concerns Several Quaker Meetings have…
Many institutions and ways of doing things persist because of the wide-spread acceptance of TINA [there is no alternative]. — Geoff Harris, quoted in Are We Done Fighting? We feel so many things when we see images of the suffering caused by war. They may include outrage, sorrow, confusion, and a desire to do something…
A major concern of CFSC’s in recent years has been the plight of children when their parents or caregivers are incarcerated. One way CFSC seeks to move this work forward is by using the United Nations as an avenue for advocacy and awareness-raising. Canada is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights…
We arrived at 7 am. The autumn sun warmed the Kapabamayak Achaak Healing Forest in North End, Winnipeg, Treaty 1 territory. We came to set up. Something was planned that had not happened for 150 years. We gathered to commemorate the 1871 making and signing of Treaties 1 and 2. As the sacred fire burned,…
Since our last edition of Quaker Concern two new staff people have joined our small but vibrant team! Kerry Grier, CFSC’s new Peace Program Coordinator, has practiced human rights law in Zimbabwe and been instrumental in founding and leading multiple nonprofits focused on human rights and healthcare. Jeremy Vander Hoek joined CFSC in the role…
Jerusalem Declaration In a previous issue of Quaker Concern we expressed misgivings about the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. CFSC recently decided to use the clearer Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism to inform our work. Ancestors Voice podcast Ancestors Voice is a new podcast hosted by Orrie Charleyboy and supported by CFSC’s Reconciliation Fund. Orrie’s vision…