Keeping up with Friends
Joint statements supporting Indigenous peoples’ human rights
The Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples issued a statement. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is the most comprehensive international human rights instrument affirming the collective rights of Indigenous peoples and the individual rights of members of Indigenous Nations. Indigenous peoples worked for more than two decades to have this instrument adopted by the UN.
In 2021 Canada became one of the first countries in the world to pass national legislation to fully implement the UN Declaration, including adoption of a comprehensive national action plan. The significance of this cannot be understated.
The first action plan commits to numerous important reforms and initiatives brought forward by Indigenous peoples. However, the plan also includes significant inconsistencies, from section to section and in respect to the actual requirements of the UN Declaration. Find out more.
On National Indigenous Peoples Day 13 churches and faith organizations also came together to release a joint statement.
Why your presence alone is surprisingly powerful
Sometimes conflict transformation happens without words. In his newest blog post for Psychology Today, Matt Legge looks at interesting research into the power of silently gazing into someone’s eyes or sitting together with them.
New short videos: what is CFSC? Why are our board members enthusiastic about service?
Our YouTube channel continues to be updated with new content including a three minute video explaining CFSC narrated by our General Secretary Jennifer Preston and a short video of interviews with members of our board of directors sharing what draws them to serve on CFSC. We welcome your comments and suggestions for future videos!
Reconciliation queries get a fresh design
Quakers have a tradition of using queries to provoke spiritual reflection. Queries are usually simple questions used to stay grounded and gain deeper insights. They promote work on oneself. Any non-Indigenous person, whether Quaker or not, may find these eight queries helpful in prompting reflection on their knowledge and actions for reconciliation.
“Culture wars” and just peace
Peace Research: The Canadian Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies asked CFSC’s Matt Legge to contribute an article. In it Matt explores the phenomena of bitter polarization and “culture wars.” He presents many of their drivers (including touching on the thorny topics of truth and of victimhood). Most importantly the article lists key insights that peace and conflict studies experts have to offer. Matt encourages this expertise to be shared with activists. He explores how this could help make the urgent work for justice and peace more effective (and less destructive).