Questioning Canada 150

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Published on Saturday, 01 July 2017 07:00

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Questioning Canada 150 r1 ... r33 July, 2017 Photo CC-BY via Flickr
Canada 150: Statement by Canadian Friends Service Committee
As the 'Canada 150' celebrations happen over the next few days, we encourage you to give some thought to how these celebrations impact our Indigenous partners and friends. Two points have been raised: Firstly, that Indigenous Peoples have lived and exercised sovereignty over the territory of what is now Canada for far longer than 150 years and this past must be acknowledged. Secondly, the confederation of what we call Canada is founded on fraud and the theft and plunder of Indigenous territories, and many ongoing violations of the human rights of Indigenous Peoples have yet to be resolved.

In the spirit of "renewed courage" and the desire to go about our lives in a good way, we offer to you an adapted version of Friends' Advices & Queries #11:

Be honest with this nation state called Canada. What unpalatable truths might we be evading? When we recognize shortcomings, do not let that discourage you. In worship together we can find the assurance of the Creator’s love and the strength to go on with renewed courage towards a future where the rights and dignity of all peoples are respected.

You can find out more, including Indigenous voices and links to news articles of interest, at: http://quakerservice.ca/Canada150
First Update on Synthetic Biology for 2017 The first synthetic biology update of 2017 is here. In just a few pages and without requiring a background in science to understand, the update is designed to give you some insights into the applications of synthetic biology making headlines.

Inside you’ll find updates on:

• gene drives;
• hypothetical bioweapons;
• cyborg dragonflies;
• synthetic biology food;
• bacteria that may eat plastic;
• synthetic biology soil;
• hacking photosynthesis;
• fully synthetic viruses;
• using synthetic biology in living animals;
• why “de-extincting” the woolly mammoth is fake news; and
• synthetic biology perfume and beer.

What are the social, ecological, and spiritual issues raised by this research? Learn more at: http://quakerservice.ca/SBUpdate2017 Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild at the closing events of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Photo: Ben Powless
Local reconciliation work of Canadian Quakers
In 2016 Canadian Friends found unity with a proposal to take our reconciliation work “to the next level.” This commitment involves reporting back each year about our progress. We are pleased to share the first update with actions Friends in 13 different Meetings and Worship Groups are taking. The report is at http://quakerservice.ca/ReconciliationReport2017 Quakers express profound concern over famine Canadian Friends Service Committee and Canadian Yearly Meeting have written to the government of Canada about our profound concern over the famines in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia, and Nigeria. Our letter focuses on the importance of preventing the violence that is a major cause of all of these famines. Canada can and must do more in this regard. We also lift up the positive example of one grassroots peacebuilding effort in South Sudan. The open letter is at: http://quakerservice.ca/famine Treaty Pathways videos online
CFSC’s Jennifer Preston was part of the Treaty Pathways event in Winnipeg recently. The event explored the meaning of treaties. “Treaty is an invitation into sharing land for the benefit of all living things. Come learn about the ways this sacred commitment can breathe new life into our relationships with one another and the world around us.” Videos of lectures from this event are available at http://www.treatypathways.com/pastevents/
Tsilhqot’in Nation Title Case at Supreme Court - Nov 7, 2013 New plain language resource explains landmark court case
In 2013 CFSC intervened in the landmark Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia Supreme Court Case. A new resource explains the significance of that case in plain English. It is available at: http://quakerservice.ca/news/tsilhqotin-plain-language/
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