THUNDER BAY – The Chiefs of Ontario has provided communication and coordination in Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. This is of vital importance to Isadore Day, Regional Chief for Ontario. Today, while out with his two young daughters, he is promoted to think about poverty and food insecurity.
He asked the question – “What can I do?”
Understanding Poverty…
As we ventured out today, Niigaan, Waasayaa and me, I decided to purchase breakfast and take a bit of time to talk with them by the water and enjoy a morning meal.
When I got to Tim Hortons, I realized I had forgotten my wallet at home — here’s where my minuscule panic comes in…. “What can I buy for them with less than 7$ in change? Will it be enough? I need to take my vitamins with food, I don’t want to take any food from them — there is only so much, should I turn back? That takes over an hour from the time for our morning excision. I purchased one small oatmeal, an apple juice a small coffee — we made due with what we had. We found two oranges in the vehicle from yesterday. I later found a toonie and a quarter; I bought a fruit and fiber muffin so I could take my vitamins.
We were ok.
So my point; Poverty is real for millions… it affects food security and in the blatantness of common sense;… that’s just not fair!
This world is not right in the sense of social well-being.
Single moms; homeless women and men; Youth on the streets with no money to eat — families with not enough money to make ends meet from month to month; week to week; trying to find ways to provide health and nourishment without the financial means, I can’t say I fully understand, but I do recall many moments like this in my near fifty years on this planet.
This morning, I am mindful, say a prayer and acknowledge that I can help in any situation where I have more and the next person has less, and more so, when someone is hungry and needs food — that in itself is a life necessity none of us should forget — What can I do to help address food insecurity and poverty today?
Some of my thoughts this day.
Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day