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Dear Friend,
Blessings of peace and justice to you on this beautiful day in May. May is a month of sun, bright new leaves, the fresh smell of rain on bare ground, and it is also Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2Spirit people. In some areas of our beloved region, there are cherry blossoms that have come and gone, there are beginnings of pink and white apple blossoms on the trees, and there are Red Dresses blooming in our trees, fences, signposts and public spaces.
The first Red Dress Day was inspired in 2010 by Jamie Black, a Métis artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba, who hung hundreds of empty red dresses in public places to represent missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Red Dress Day, May 5th, is still raising awareness around this issue 14 years after its inception, because Indigenous women, girls and 2Spirit people continue to be victimized by the status quo in our society. The Red Dress calls forward an image of Joseph and his coat of many-colours. Joseph was beloved, beautiful and gifted, gave life to his family, his community, and through his dreams possessed a wider vision and appreciation for Spirit and human connection than others had. Through his innate power and the richness of his spirit, Joseph drew the ire and contempt of those around him who set out to harm him, exploit him, and to end his life. Indigenous women, girls and 2Spirit people hold a powerful and central place in the heart of their families, communities, and nations. They are beloved, beautiful and gifted; they are sacred.
As we bear witness this month to the harm that they endure, may we also feel a call to justice and a call to action. May we see a future where, like Joseph and his many-coloured coat, Indigenous women, girls and 2Spirit people will rise into their power again. May we see a present where we are all called to the responsibility of justice work in changing oppressive systems that would keep our sisters and siblings from thriving. Please find below some actions, awareness tools and upcoming offerings that might enliven your MMIWG2S initiatives.
We are also called to the work of bearing witness to and acting in solidarity with the People of Palestine, our 2SLGBTTQIAP+ siblings, and those impoverished by the economic systems of our country. You are invited below to rise up and join in a Rainbow Week of Action from May 11th to 17th, and in a Week of Solidarity with Palestine from May 15th to 22nd. God weeps at the violence and despair experienced in His world, so let us rise together, like a tide bringing hope, resources and care to these issues.
Kendra Mitchell-Foster
Regional Minister: Justice, and University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Campus Minister KMitchellFoster@united-church.ca
MMIW2S
May is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2Spirit Awareness Month, with May 5th being Red Dress Day. All month long we are called to witness, speak out, stir up and create awareness, and work for justice for our Indigenous siblings who have been victimized. Our national church page for MMIWG2S contains links to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, taking the time this month to read it and talk about it in your community is a promising way to begin or continue this justice ministry.
Stay tuned to our PMR Justice Ministry page as we will be launching a book study this month for Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls by Jessica McDairmid. This book study, along with other initiatives is being developed in relationship with PMRC Indigenous Ministries, and we look forward to a fruitful journey of transformative justice on this path.
Rainbow Week of Action Against Rising Hate May 11th – 17th
From May 11th to 17th, thousands of Canadians will be participating in Queer Momentum’s Rainbow Week for Action to resist rising hate and violence, and call for rainbow equality and freedom for all.
May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, and as an Affirming Region, we encourage individuals, families, and communities of faith to live into this opportunity to speak truth to power and work for justice for our 2SLGBTTQSIA+ siblings. We invite you to participate in a letter writing campaign on a Pacific Mountain Region Solidarity Sunday, May 12th. Creating signed letter packages to send to our elected officials is an important way to support this effort. Our PMR Justice letter of solidarity can be found here, this can be downloaded and printed for members of your community of faith to read and sign, and then be mailed to your MP as a package of Affirming Solidarity! You can find an electronic letter writing tool for the Rainbow Week of Action here. All kinds of actions are welcome, and you can find a calendar of actions here,
You can find their action page for the Week of Solidarity here, their open letter to the Canadian Government, and a printable version of their open letter here.
Pride Booth Packs
Are you and your community gearing up for Pride? We’ve got you covered! Fill out our Pride Booth Pack order form and we will mail a package to you filled with information, pride stickers and flags, posters and strategies to support affirming conversations at your booth. We have 25 packs available this year, get your orders in while they last!
Week of Solidarity with Palestine May 15th – 22nd
Since October 7th, the United Church of Canada has called for peace and the cessation of violence in Gaza and all of Palestine and Israel. The attacks on Gaza have increased in intensity and area over the last 215 days, with death tolls rising due to military violence, starvation, dehydration, and disease. Our national church calls for us all to “Act Today: The international community cannot stay quiet in the face of atrocities in Gaza”, with many actions available. Please use the Write Your MP tool to send a message to our government urging it to do everything in its power to bring an end to the conflict and to not be complicit in genocide and famine. We need Canada to act on three fronts: demanding and supporting i) a permanent ceasefire, ii) humanitarian aid, and iii) a just and lasting peace.
The week of Palestinian solidarity begins on May 15th, Nakba Day, which is the anniversary of the end of the British Mandate in Palestine and the initiation of Israel as an independent Jewish state. You can find Jewish Voice for Peace’s Nakba Day resource here, a United Nations statement on the Nakba here, and a UN statement on the importance of marking this day here. To support education, awareness and action in your community, PMR Justice has written a pastoral letter and stay tuned to our PMR Justice Palestine webpage for resources to support a PMR Justice Solidarity Sunday for Palestine on May 19th.
On May 22nd, Moderator Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, and countless others in the United Church of Canada will participate in a Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage . Moderator Lansdowne’s April 17th pastoral letter can be found here. Kairos calls on us all to participate in as many actions as we can during this week of solidarity, and Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdown asks us to write letters, plant trees, wear white, share information on social media, and stand with the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage on May 22nd. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East have many options and suggestions for actions that you can take on in your community, you can find the Take Action Hub here.
Guaranteed Livable Income
Tonight, May 8th, in the House of Commons, Bill C-223, “An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income” will be debated by members of parliament at second reading. This is a key moment, as if the Bill is passed at second reading, it will reach the committee stage for study – which is where its twin in the Senate, Bill S-233, has now reached in that institution. This is the most significant legislative progress we have seen federally regarding basic income to date.
To join over 33,000 Canadians who have signed a petition calling for MPs and Senators to support Bills S-233 and C-223, please use the following link to add your name to this petition and help call for a GLBI today.
Bill C-223 is a private member’s bill, and while PMBs are often not passed, they are often voted on freely by MPs – that is to say that Parties will not tell their members how to vote on PMBs like Bill C-223. This provides us with a significant opportunity to move Bill C-223 forward with the support of NDP MPs, Liberal MPs, BQ MPs, Green MPs, and if allowed, a few Conservative MPs as well.
Yet – in order to ensure Bill C-223 is passed, we need your help. Please take a moment to email, write, or phone your MP on this issue, and ask them to support Bill C-223. Tell your MP why you support basic income, and why they ought to as well. Tell them your story, and make your voice heard. Together, we have made history in advancing Bills S-233 and C-223, and thanks to the efforts of advocates like you, we have the chance to move these pieces of landmark legislation forward. So let’s make some history together, and get Bill C-223 passed at second reading in the House of Commons.
On May 7th, This morning, MP Leah Gazan, the Sponsor of the Bill, held a press conference with supporters and Senator Kim Pate, which can be seen here.
Basic Income Guarantee Forum May 23rd – 26th
A national forum for Basic Income Guarantee in Canada is happening this May 23rd – 26th in Ottawa, ON. This forum is organized by the Basic Income Canada Network, and addresses issues, challenges, successes and lessons in the work to establish a guaranteed livable income in Canada. If you would like to attend virtually or in person, you can find the registration link here. The program of plenary speakers, break-out sessions, films, and information sharing promises to be both enlightening and energizing to this work.