Friends on the move
Jeremy Vander Hoek has been promoted to the role of Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator. This move will allow long-time program staff person Jennifer Preston to move more fully into the role of General Secretary. We congratulate Jenn on taking a step back from (most) of the Indigenous rights program work after more than 25 years and we congratulate Jeremy on his new role!
Jeremy and other staff have also been hosting a free online monthly discussion group about Guaranteed Livable Basic Income (GLBI). The discussion group gives attendees the chance to chat, share stories, and ask questions about GLBI to each other and to CFSC staff. You can find out details and join the next discussion group in May by visiting our website.
Mel Burns, CFSC’s Peace Program Coordinator, hosted an online discussion session with Quaker Meetings across Canada to learn about their peace and social justice work and explore connections and ways to work together. Mel continues to offer peace education workshops in St. Stephen, New Brunswick and is now making this available as a wider opportunity for groups interested in a given peace topic. For a list of the half-day workshops available to your group visit https://QuakerService.ca/Peace
Communications Coordinator Matthew Legge was on The Last Show with David Cooper on AM radio (and available by podcast) to discuss a blog post he wrote for Psychology Today. He also gave a presentation and facilitated a listening practice exercise online for the Global Compassion Coalition. Hundreds signed up and participants joined from multiple countries.
Transformative Justice Program Coordinator Karen Ridd gave a presentation on restorative justice to the Canadian Council of Churches. She also touched on similar themes in a presentation at Bathurst Street United Church in Toronto.
Sandra Wiens, CFSC’s government Relations Representative, presented to Toronto Monthly Meeting about GLBI, housing, and digital access and technologies.
Sandra and Jeremy also helped host an event with the Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the University of Ottawa. Coalition members, embassy representatives from several countries, and other attendees gathered to watch a special advanced screening of Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel’s documentary, Deskaheh Levi General: The Quest For Justice. After the screening attendees participated in an in-depth discussion on Indigenous international diplomacy.