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To the indigenous peoples of the world, including the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples of Canada, the women of Pauktuutit and the Native Women's Association of Canada, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Metis National Council, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, and the Assembly of First Nations; and Mr. Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and Mr. Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment:
The shameful actions of the Canadian government, seen both in its rejection of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and in its embarrassing performance at the Bali Climate Change Conference, were recently continued at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poland. Our current government has denied the crucial role that indigenous peoples can play in helping to heal our earth by continuing the willful silencing of indigenous peoples' voices. It also continues to resist acting in any real way in response to the impending climate-change crisis and the escalating degradation of God's world.
In Poland, Canadian negotiators argued successfully against making mention of the rights of indigenous peoples in a new international climate change pact dealing with deforestation. This disgraceful action follows in the footsteps of the "fossil award," given to former Environment Minister Mr. John Baird by NGOs present at the Bali conference. Furthermore, this undermines and contradicts the spirit of the apology delivered on June 11, 2008 by threatening the rights of indigenous peoples both in Canada and elsewhere in the world. Chuck Strahl's response, that the rights of indigenous peoples have "nothing whatsoever to do with climate change," demonstrates a lack of willingness to cooperate with indigenous peoples around the world on an issue that affects both non- and indigenous peoples, and, at the same time, does not recognize the particular burden that indigenous peoples generally bear due to economic oppression while simultaneously often having little culpability for climate-changing actions. It is also a denial of the intersectionality of systems of oppression and disregard for the principles of environmental justice, which call for "the fundamental right to political, economic, cultural and environmental self-determination of all peoples" (from the Principles of Environmental Justice of the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, October 27, 1991).
SCM Canada stands in solidarity with those indigenous peoples who struggle for self-determination of land use, and especially those who are unfairly impacted by climate change. We believe that the actions of Canadian negotiators are completely unacceptable for obstructing discussion on the rights and roles of indigenous peoples with regards to forests, and climate change more broadly. We believe that actions taken to heal the earth must not take place in a unilaterally-imposed neocolonial fashion, but must involve all peoples, particularly those who are most impacted by climate change who are often given little voice in public discourse.
We recognize the widespread structural connections between various forms of oppression, including the systemic destruction of Creation and the resulting devastating impact on the impoverished populations of the world. It is contemptible that only months after the government, in Jack Layton's words, "assume[d] the responsibility for one of the most shameful eras of our history," politicians continue to actively oppress indigenous peoples by suppressing conversation that could live into that apology. Environmental injustice will continue to be perpetrated until participation in decision-making about the environment recognizes the unequal burden carried by those suffering under economic oppression. It will continue until there is a plan to fully address its causes that is comprehensive, measurable, long-term, socially grounded, multi-sector, participatory, and self-critical. We must ensure that any such plan does not unfairly distribute the burden to the marginalized populations of the world.
SCM Canada reaffirms that, as children of the Creator and as stewards and servants of Creation, we must treat all people with respect and we must act in such a way that addresses the urgent environmental crisis which affects everyone, but most severely those living in poverty. The traditional paradigm of domination of the privileged over marginalized peoples and the earth, often justified through Biblical texts and implemented in the name of Christian mission, must end. We recognize that the systems of oppression in which we exist have deep intersections and continue our living prayer as we walk "in solidarity with the oppressed to resist structures of domination and realize justice in this world" (from the SCM Living Prayer Mission Statement).
In solidarity and in hope for the healing of Creation,
The National Board of the Student Christian Movement of Canada.
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