THUNDER BAY – INDIGENOUS – “Today, on May the 10th, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society are celebrating Bear Witness Day, the birthday of their mascot Spirit Bear. This special day is a time to reflect on Jordan’s Principle and the future we want for First Nations children.
Jordan’s Principle was named in the memory of Jordan River Anderson, a young First Nations boy from Norway House, Manitoba, whose life brought attention to the inequities faced by many First Nations children. It’s through Jordan’s Principle that we are all working to ensure that First Nations children receive the necessary services and support no matter where they reside in Canada, without delay.
By investing in communities and culturally-based initiatives, such as Jordan’s Principle, together, we can dismantle discriminatory and underfunded systems that have historically treated First Nations children as lesser than their Canadian counterparts. In order for us to right these injustices faced by First Nations youth, First Nations and all of Canada must work together to ensure they have the opportunities to flourish.
On Bear Witness Day, show your support for the full implementation of Jordan’s Principle and a better future for First Nations children. While we are practicing physical distancing, we can still participate in recognizing Bear Witness Day by placing a teddy bear or a drawing of a bear in the window or take part in a virtual “teddy bear tea party” with friends or classmates to honour Jordan River Anderson.
I urge all to learn more about Jordan’s Principle and show your support by sharing your message on social media using the hashtags #JordansPrinciple and #BearWitnessDay.”
