1 3 | Friday, M ay 1 2 , 2 0 1 7 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | w w w .insideH A LT O N .com Pilgrim age for Indigenous Rights stops by Oakville A group of Mennonites and other faith-based activists made their way through Oakville April 26 as part of a 600 km Pilgrimage for Indigenous Rights. The walk from Kitchener to Ottawa, moved through Oakville that morning as walkers aimed to share a message about the importance of Canadians understanding, implementing, and respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). "The Pilgrimage involves a 600 km walk to Ottawa engaging churches in a series of conversations about UNDRIP, why it matters, and the hope it offers," said co-organizer Kathy Moorhead-Thiessen. Indigenous Anglican Bishop Mark MacDonald stated, "the Pilgrimage for Indigenous Rights is both exciting and timely, more accurately urgent. It is a pilgrimage for the heart of Canada." Organized by Mennonite Church Canada and Christian Peacemaker Teams, the Pilgrimage for Indigenous Rights is a response to Article 4 8 of Canada' s Truth and Reconciliation Commission' s Calls to Action, which various churches along the route. Opening ceremonies occurred in Kitchener (April 23) with a conclusion set for Ottawa May 13. "This is a tangible opportunity for the church to witness its support for the rights of Indigenous peoples," stated MC Canada IndigenousSettler Relations Director Steve Heinrichs, an organizer and walker with the Pilgrimage. "Personally, I'm excited to engage in meaningful conversations with a wide diversity of communities as to why adoption of the Declaration is good news, not just for Indigenous nations, but for all Canadians." Organizers are inviting supporters of all faiths to attend the teachins and join the Pilgrimage for Indigenous Rights for the day as they journey through southern and central Ontario. "I expect hard work. 35 kilometers a day seems huge, but I welcome the opportunity to be touching the land with every step I take," said Moorhead-Thiessen. "I relish the conversations and the teachings from the ones I will walk with and the ones I will meet along the way" A group of Mennonites and other faith-based activists made their way through Oakville Wednesday, April 2 6 as part of a 600km Pilgrimage for Indigenous Rights. Here, walkers are pictured at Cornwall Road and Maple Grove Drive as they passed through Oakville. | submitted photo summons churches and faith groups to public dialogue and action in support of UNDRIP, according to Moorhead-Thiessen. It is also being held in advance of the second reading of MP Romeo Saganash' s Bill C -262 -- a Private Member' s bill, which would provide a legislative framework for implementation of the declaration. En route to Ottawa, the Pilgrimage is making stops at various churches along the way to engage conversation about UNDRIP. Public events are being held at Hillfield Strathallan College Learn w ith Joy. Live w ith Purpose. Let Your Natural Beauty Shine Through At Any Age N O N-SUR G IG ALO FFER S Laser Skin Rejuvenation Acne Treatment Laser Hair Removal Photofacial Skin Resurfacing Injectables: Botox Fillers/Juvederm Skin Health M anagem ent: Facial Peels Latisse Comprehensive Skin Care Analysis Sclerotheropy ZO Skin Health Medical Grade Facials T ri lives a n d le a rn s w ith resiliency a n d w elln es s in m in d a n d b o d y . T o learn m o re v isit w w w .h s c .o n .c a N on -Surgical Body C o n tou ring Vanquish Exilis ________________ Hillfield Strathallan College is currently accepting applications for September 2017. Call 905 - 389 - 1367, or visit www.hsc.on.ca today. GRACE CLINIC P LA STIC RECO N STRUCTIVE & LASER SURGERY ___ e h , U ' Dr Douglas Grace B.SC. M .D . F.R.C.S.C Plastic, Reconstructive, & Laser Surgeon 289 768-2683 |200-481 JOHN ST., BURLINGTON jWWW.GRACECLINIC.CA Vo t e d #1 Fa c ia l a n d Co s m e t ic Pla s tic Su r g e o n in Oa k v il l e , Bu r l in g t o n and H a m il t o n