THUNDER BAY – Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day is focusing on solutions.”FIrst Nation homelessness is an issue that needs action – not words,” says Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day. “The sad realities attached to First Nation homelessness are distinct to our communities as affected by colonial policies. Poverty, Indian residential school legacy issues, the Indian Act, gender inequity and LGBQ2S issues, the 60’s scoop child welfare displacement – these matters must be looked at through a First Nation specific lens,” added Day
“I will be calling a four-cornered table of First Nation, Provincial, Federal, and municipal jurisdictions to begin discussion in a “common-concern” platform around First Nation homelessness in urban settings. We must combine efforts to impact and eliminate as much of this issue as possible.”
At the Ontario Chief’s Meeting in Thunder Bay, the Ontario Regional Chief received a needed mandate from the Chiefs to move forward on this plan.
The issue is not new to Ontario Regional Chief Day.
As a candidate for Ontario Regional Chief, Day stated, “Homeland Reconnect is an action plan that needs us all to work together. It is unconscionable that many of the First Nation homeless people on Canadian streets are really people that just wanna come home, or who need advocacy and support from their First Nation communities. In weeks to come, I will be bringing this discussion to the forefront of my platform as an Ontario Regional Chief Candidate.
“We can be under no illusion or should we miscalculate the magnitude of this issue, nor should forget that many of the people that are out there are our sisters, brothers, aunties, uncles, cousins, moms, dads, grammas, grampas, friends – and in many cases Our Children!”
Ontario Regional Chief Day has been taking steps since being elected to put deeds to the words. Speaking at an Oshki-Pimache Graduation in June, the Regional Chief set aside his prepared remarks to speak directly to the graduates, and speak out to youth across Ontario and Canada on how they too should have hope.
The Regional Chief shared his story, and how for many young people across Turtle Island the path forward through education and hard work, combined with serious action and effort will be the path to future success.
Chief Day has been working on a number of projects, including Homeland Reconnect to move to action across Ontario.
Chief Isadore Day talks Campaign Platform April… by netnewsledger
