Have a Heart Day is a Reminder of the Rights of First Nations Children
We all share the same hopes for our children…that they are able to grow up healthy, safely at home, have a chance to receive a good education and are proud of who they are. It is unfortunate that not every First Nations child experiences these same rights.
Have a Heart Day is a child and youth-led reconciliation campaign that brings together caring Canadians to help ensure First Nations children have the services they need and that many other children currently enjoy.
On February 14th in support of Have a Heart Day, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children and youth from schools across the National Capital region will join together on Parliament Hill to show their support for equitable culturally-based services that will help them to succeed. Last February, more than 600 children and young people gathered at the Ottawa event to celebrate love and fairness for First Nations children. Across Canada forty events were held and more than 5,500 Canadians participated in the Day.
This year, in Eastern Ontario, the Enyonkwa’nikonhriyohake’ (Good Minds) Program of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte held a community breakfast on February 3rd in support of Have a Heart Day and asked attendees to sign a letter of support for First Nations children which was then mailed to the Prime Minister. Staff of Highland Shores Children’s Aid joined in the signing of letters of support.
Commenting on Have a Heart Day, Mark Kartusch, Executive Director of Highland Shores Children’s Aid said, “It is important to help create awareness about the challenges faced by children and families living within First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. Only by speaking up can we move forward with positive change that will help to end inequalities. We encourage community members to get involved by sending their own message of support to our elected officials.”
To learn more about how you can get involved in Have a Heart Day visit the website www.fncaringsociety.com.
