We would like to share with you this video and message from Kairos Canada, about persistent advocacy and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Notes executive director Jennifer Henry:
For KAIROS and its member churches, the story of advocacy for the UN Declaration is a long one, but how much longer is that story for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities? Or among Indigenous leaders who dreamed of, wrote, and advocated for this international human rights instrument that was finally ratified by the United Nations in 2007? Ten years ago. Ten years, and we still raise the cry for genuine implementation in Canada.
A great liturgist, Keri Wehlander, reminds us that “persistence brings forth transformation.” And it does. It must. And so we will persist until all the articles of the UN Declaration leap off the page and into communities, churches, institutions, corporations and governments. It’s more than time, and reconciliation is not possible without it.
Please take a few minutes to watch this video, and consider its message.