If you have been listening to any talk shows on the radio or TV this is the time of the year that we hear about people making New Year’s Resolutions. Most of these are personal. Things like shedding extra weight, putting down our devices to have a real conversation with someone we care about. These are all good in their intent and some even life changing. However, I stepped into this new year with a heavy heart given the very serious issues that are facing us in Canada and around the world.
I wonder if we could make a resolution that could have real impact in Canada and beyond for 2019. Here are few thoughts to consider:
Climate Change – Canada is in real danger of failing to keep its commitments to lower its greenhouse emissions. Somehow many Canadians do not take the threats to our country and planet as real. It makes wonder if we are just too busy to change our patterns of living. There is no shortage of choices we can make -like using our cars less, or supporting public transit, or lowering our house temperatures, or supporting more efficient building materials. We can ask ourselves - What is one thing I can do that I am not already doing?
Truth and Reconciliation – We have heard more conversations acknowledging Indigenous peoples and lands and teaching a more truthful story about Indigenous history and culture. This is good. However, of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of 2015 only 7 have been realized fully. There is still much work for all of us in Canada to do. We can ask our government both federally and provincially to take this work seriously. We can ask our federal government to live up to the United Nation’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People that Canada signed. Our Indigenous people must be at the table to negotiate any agreements that affect their lands, water and resources.
Use of Social Media – We can make use of these tools for honest and respectful engagement with people, on issues, and work towards a better world for 2019.
These are only a few thoughts…and we are all responsible for and can make Canada and our world more peaceful, open and inclusive for all one choice at a time.
- Joan Atkinson, CSJ | Office for Systemic Justice