Edith Miller
Michael Miller
448 Golf Club Rd.
Fredericton, NB E3B 5Z7
*Say Yes to Indigenous Rights* A National Campaign of Prayer and Healing Circles
You are invited to spend sacred time in loving community and call upon your circle of faith in Creator-God. Together, we are planning the launch of a very special movement in unity of purpose and intent through prayer circles.
Beginning in the Maritimes, we will unveil our vision of a national campaign to join Canada with over 140 other countries to wholeheartedly adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP). In so doing, we open the door to healing the wounds suffered by our relatives in all faith groups.
The planning circle will be led by Dan Ennis and Pat Paul. Ed Bianchi, staff person with KAIROS, the faith based Canadian ecumenical justice organization, will attend to give support to this initiative .
Join us - Prayer is Powerful!
May 21st, 2010 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
St. Thomas University,
Rm 202 Brian Mulroney Hall (corner of Montgomery and Windsor); directions at link below:
BMH Parking Lot (same corner -- but requires visitor day parking pass which has to be purchased at Financial Services, George Martin Hall ground floor, about $2);
Pot Luck lunch and snacks. * Please see below - IMPORTANT information
RSVP Contacts: Dan Ennis 506-273-4274
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Directions:
See agenda for the day below
*UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People/ Prayer Circle Gathering*
Fredericton, New Brunswick
May 21, 2010
Opening Prayer - Grandmother or Grandfather ? brief introductions & ?check in/?touching base? with attendees, 2 ? 3 minutes each.
Meeting leader, Dan Ennis
1. Ed could explain his experiences of successes and constraints to inter-faith work with Aboriginal peoples
2. Kenneth could offer written insights on the work with national and international Indigenous groups regarding the UNDRIP
3. Our Elders could explain what's happening locally:
* terrible situation in this territory,
* relationships to local issues i.e. ignoring land rights issues e.g. in the failed NB Power deal,
* the plight of our indigenous youth,
* how the Indian Act is dwindling eligibility for status.
4. What we are doing and how to best go about succeeding to get Canada to wholeheartedly endorse the UNDRIP.
* Discussion of Prayer Circle concept -how they are used in Faith Groups e.g. with KAIROS; other terms used by other faith groups that have the same understanding of our intention.
* How can we use this campaign to ally, educate and lobby for the adoption of UN-DRIP most effectively?
5. Faith Group leader(s) ? Using this opportunity to create a mutual healing experience between faith groups and indigenous people. We would like to hear an outline of similar issues faced by non-native/interfaith groups to bring opportunity to work on our common struggles. Examples of such may be:
* "tenderness" within faith groups dealing with pedophile clergy
* dwindling attendance in some churches.
6. Strategies for success:
Our Action Plan - What can we do to move this to a national forum?
What resources can KAIROS offer - financially and/or administratively to help this happen?
Other issues pertinent to the UNDRIP and Canada's position
7. Closing Prayer, farewell.
*Brown bag lunch. There will not be coffee, tea available in bulk. Individuals can bring their individual travel mugs (and thermos etc.) or water or individual juice pacs etc.etc.. The issue is bulk purchasing and bulk distribution.
Freetrade/organic coffee and teas, juices etc. are available in the neighbouring building George Martin Hall cafeteria at reasonable cost; for the die-hards that prefer, Timmies is 100 m away in James Dunn Hall.
Folks need to bring their own cutlery, serving utensil, napkin etc. and be prepared to take everything back out with them. There is no sink in the room or available elsewhere for our use. Bathrooms are closeby on the same floor.
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