May
2015

ISSUE
No. 35

Ottawa Office
e-newsletter

S
Quotation of the month

 

"Education, delivered through residential schools, was the tool for assimilation. It was education that helped to perpetuate the situation we see today for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. We at the TRC believe that it will be education, again, that will be the tool that best addresses all of that, for education will create knowledge and from knowledge will come understanding. From understanding will come respect - both self-respect for Indigenous people and mutual respect for all."  -- Chief Justice Murray Sinclair, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

 

 

Important happenings in Ottawa MCC

 

The Ottawa Office celebrates its 40th birthday this month. To mark the occasion, we are hosting a drop-in open house at our Sparks Street Office, Thursday, May 28, between 4 and 7 p.m. Send us a note if you can come!  

  • Read Monica Scheifele's reflection on the blossoms that have sprung over the years from seeds planted in 1975. 
  • View the photo gallery

 

Immediately following our 40th birthday party, staff from our office plus colleagues across the country will be attending KAIROS' Time for Reconciliation gathering and also the closing events of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, both happening  here in Ottawa.These five days, May 31 to June 3, will be historic moments in the history of our country. Pray that non-Indigenous Canadians will commit to building authentic relationships with the non-Indigenous people of this land, and together we can move forward on the path to reconciliation with courage, commitment and good faith. 
Parliamentary business: Budgeting for development?Parliamentary

 

Much of Parliament's time and energy the last few weeks has been devoted to the 2015 budget which was announced by the government on April 21. Like other aid organizations, we were disappointed to find no planned increases for international assistance. We will be watching closely the new Development Finance Initiative (DFI) which will work with the private sector to promote development and investment in developing countries. 

 

MCC Canada made a submission to an on-line consultation process on the government's Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Take action: For peace in ColombiaOpportunities

In Colombia, tomorrow's peace starts today! The official peace process is an essential first step, but the Colombian people continue to experience violence, human rights violations, as well as the poverty and inequality in which its 30-year conflict is rooted. Much work remains to be done and Canadians are invited to stand with and support Colombia. 

Worship and action materials for congregations are available, thanks to our MCC colleagues in Colombia and the US. 
Take action: For reconciliation in Canadaresource

 

If you cannot attend the closing events of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Ottawa, there are still many ways to demonstrate your support for reconciliation. Please join KAIROS and its member churches and organizations in one or more of these actions:

  • planning a special worship service,
  • holding a reconciliation walk on May 31,
  • ringing bells at noon on May 31,
  • planting a heart garden,
  • watching live-streamed sessions of the TRC.

 More information is available here.  

Staff update: Rebekah SearsStaff
Brown bag lunch with the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (from l to r) Krista Steeves, Shelley Swift, Christina Farsnworth, Rebekah Sears, Stephanie McAnany
Brown bag lunch with Atlantic Council for International Cooperation

 

In April Rebekah (Bekah) Sears, recently appointed as permanent policy analyst for our office, joined  MCC Maritimes representative Christina Farnsworth on a tour of the Maritimes. Sharing about the role of advocacy in MCC program, Bekah spoke with church groups, university classes and local organizations. She also participated in MCC Maritimes' annual Partners' Day.