Just a reminder of Spring Reconciliation activities coming up for you to participate in. Please see below for some ideas and see First Nations Child & Family Caring Society link https://fncaringsociety.com/events-make-difference for more information.
Bear Witness Day, to take place May 10, encourages individuals of all ages to honour Jordan’s Principle implementation by bringing their teddy bears to daycare, school or work. This year marks 10 years since Jordan’s Principle was unanimously passed in the House of Commons, and last year the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered the federal government to fully implement Jordan's Principle by May 10th, 2016. With another year passed, First Nations children continue to face discrimination in accessing government services on the same terms as other kids. Anyone can show their support and “Bear Witness” to Jordan’s Principle by hosting a “bear birthday party”, coffee break or lunch to learn more about Jordan’s Principle and to honour Jordan River Anderson. Photos of Bear Witness events can be shared on social media, including the Bear Witness Facebook event page (https://www.facebook.com/events/1272485976133090/) using the hashtag #JordansPrinciple.
Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams (HMPD), which is celebrated annually in May and June, invites people of all ages to join in reconciliation by planting heart gardens in their communities. Heart gardens honour residential school Survivors and their families, as well as the legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Heart gardens can be indoors or outdoors; they can include decorated paper hearts and/or real flowers and medicines. Each heart that is planted represents the memory of a child lost to the residential school system, and the act of planting represents that individual’s commitment to finding their place in reconciliation. You can find out more and register your event at honouringmemoriesplantingdreams.ca.
Our Dreams Matter Too (ODMT) is an annual walk and letter writing event that takes place in June to support culturally based equity for First Nations children. First Nations children get less funding than other children for services like education, health and child welfare and this makes it hard for them to achieve their dreams and grow up proud of who they are. ODMT is an opportunity to encourage children, youth, families, schools and organizations to write letters to their MP and the Prime Minister supporting culturally based equity for First Nations children, and to organize a walk to a mail box in their community. ODMT highlights the importance of reconciliation and that every child matters no matter where they come from! You can find out more and register your event at ourdreamsmattertoo.ca.
At the Caring Society, we believe that meaningful reconciliation engages people of all ages in learning about Indigenous child rights in Canada. Our spring reconciliation activities provide individuals and organizations with the opportunities they need to make a difference, in fun and creative ways. We hope that you can join us by taking part this spring!
If you have any questions or require any resources, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Gail Stromquist
Assistant Director, Aboriginal Education
Professional and Social Issues Department BCTF
100-550 West 6th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4P2
Professional and Social Issues Department BCTF
100-550 West 6th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4P2
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