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Welcome

The Pilgrimage for Indigenous Rights is a 600 km walk from Kitchener to Ottawa in support of the adoption and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Comprised mostly of Christians, we are seeking to make right our relationships with host peoples in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Please note that registration for walkers is now closed.

We continue to invite your support through your prayers, words of encouragement, donations, and your ongoing connection with our progress via Facebook and Instagram . We also invite you to join us when we come through your neighbourhood – see our daily schedule.

The Pilgrimage Planning Team

Chuck Wright, Erin Froese, Kathy Moorhead Thiessen, Steve Heinrichs

New! Pilgrimage Video Documentary

In a tribute to all the walkers, host communities, and above all, the many grassroots Indigenous peoples who have actively struggled for the recognition of their basic human rights, we offer up this video documentary that shares the experiences of the 600 km Pilgrimage for Indigenous Rights. The walk may be finished, but the work of raising awareness of and respect for Indigenous human rights is not over. Here’s how to help make this video continue to work toward our goal (short teaser version to come):

  • Share it widely on social media and in your communities; host a showing and follow-up conversation.
  • Encourage the elected officials in your region to watch this video and follow-up with a request to meet and discuss it.
  • Share it with your church family, pastor, your family, and your childrens’ schools.
  • If you have connections with elected officials, try and arrange a showing on Parliament Hill.
  • Share it with the media in your area, especially if you have media connections.

Many thanks to Brad Leitch of Rebel Sky Media for his excellent work on this production.

Pilgrimage for Indigenous Rights: Join the effort

by Deborah Froese; April 26, 2017; Mennonite Church Canada
Winnipeg, Man

PFIR walker Kandace Boos is travelling with her 9-month-old daughter, Junia. An urban artist, Boos plans to document the journey in art. Photo supplied.

The Pilgrimage for Indigenous Rights (PFIR) draws to a close on May 13, but even when the event is over, there are several ways to keep the objective of the initiative alive.

And what exactly is that objective? Ensuring that Indigenous peoples are guaranteed the same basic human rights enjoyed by others living in Canada – from houses and running water to education.

To this end, the Pilgrimage, a 600 km trek from Kitchener to Ottawa, Ont., is advocating for the adoption and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The Declaration provides the foundation for healing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Implementing it is one of the 94 Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in their final report. Continue reading “Pilgrimage for Indigenous Rights: Join the effort”

Teach-in at Ottawa Mennonite Church

All are invited to a Teach-in at Ottawa Mennonite Church, 1830 Kilborn Ave., on Saturday, May 13, from 7 – 9 pm. Guest speakers include Elder Barbara Dumont-Hill, Elder Rarihokwats, MP Romeo Saganash, Leah Gazan, and the Pilgrimage walkers. Come for a gentle and rich time of exploration and discovery about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), what authentic reconciliation looks like, and Bill C-262 (an Act to ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples).

News Summary

It’s May 5, and the Pilgrimage continues to attract media attention. Below is a summary of what we’ve found so far. The Pilgrimage invites you to call up your local media coverage and encourage coverage leading up to and including the Walk the Talk rally at Human Rights Monument in Ottawa on Saturday, May 13, 2 pm.