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Bear Witness Day: Take action to support First Nations children, youth and families

On May 10, we recognize Bear Witness Day to raise awareness for Jordan’s Principle — a child-first principle and legal rule named in memory of Jordan River Anderson that ensures First Nations children receive the same standard of social, health and educational services as the rest of the Canadian population.

This year, we were encouraged to see the 2022 federal budget include a section dedicated to Jordan’s Principle and propose $4 billion over six years to ensure First Nations children continue to receive the support they need. This is a significant improvement over the 2021 budget, where there was only a passing mention of Jordan’s Principle and vague commitments to First Nations children.

But promises are easily made and just as easily broken.

We will continue to keep a close eye on this important issue and expect the government to follow through on their commitment. We are all responsible for protecting and defending the rights of Indigenous peoples, especially children.

Show your support and “Bear Witness”

PSAC is proud to be one of the first unions in Canada to recognize this day annually. We encourage all PSAC members to take part in actions in support of reconciliation and equity.

One way to do that is to support the ongoing work of the First Nations Child & Family
Caring Society by sending a letter to your MP calling on them to endorse the Spirit Bear Plan to end the injustices experienced by First Nations children and families living on reserve and in the territories.

PSAC also encourages everyone to learn more about Jordan’s Principle by watching the documentary Jordan River Anderson, The Messenger by acclaimed Indigenous director Alanis Obomsawin. The film tells the story of how the life of Jordan River Anderson initiated a battle for the right of First Nations and Inuit children to receive the services they need, when they need them.

Visit the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society’s website for other ideas on how to support and honour Bear Witness Day through education, awareness, and action.

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Show your support on Bear Witness Day

Bear witness day banner

Bear Witness Day is a day both to show support for First Nations youth and to call on the federal government to address the longstanding discrimination faced by First Nations children.

While PSAC welcomes the commitments made in the 2021 budget, more federal funding is needed to close the socio-economic gap faced by Indigenous Peoples in Canada. First Nations children are frequently left waiting for services or worse yet, denied services that are available to other children. This includes adequate education, healthcare, childcare, recreation, culture and language services.

PSAC has been working to protect and defend the rights of all Indigenous Peoples in Canada for decades. They deserve full human rights, fundamental freedoms, and social infrastructure in their communities. The union represents many Indigenous members, including workers on First Nations reserves. At our last Triennial convention, delegates unanimously passed a resolution urging the union to support Bear Witness Day.

Bear Witness Day Background

On May 10, 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal directed the federal government to fully implement Jordan’s Principle, marking it as Bear Witness Day.

Jordan River Anderson was born in Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba with complex medical needs. He was placed in hospital in Winnipeg where he needlessly spent years waiting for the federal and provincial governments to decide who would pay for his home care. He died in hospital when he was five years old, having never spent a day in his family’s home. Cindy Blackstock and the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society have worked tirelessly to ensure that this would never happen to another Indigenous child.

The pandemic has further exposed the many systemic inequalities experienced by First Nations people. The situation for First Nations children is now even more dire. In January 2021, data showed that the rate of reported cases of COVID-19 in First Nations living on reserve was 40 per cent higher than the rate in the general population. The virus has also worsened the mental health crisis among First Nations youth.

This year, it is even more important to support First Nations communities as many struggle to recover from the pandemic and continue to face inadequate levels of funding for social services.

Show your support for First Nations children on May 10th – Bear Witness Day:

  • Take part in the  online screening  of Spirit Bear and Children Make History.
  • Hang out with your bears or favorite stuffed animal at home. Ask loved ones in your home to participate too. You can let your neighbors know that you are participating in Bear Witness Day by placing your teddy bear or a drawing of a bear in your window.
  • Host an online  teddy bear tea party  or bear birthday party to honor Jordan River Anderson and to learn about  Jordan’s Principle .
  • Spread the word and post photos on social media using the hashtags #JordansPrinciple and #BearWitnessDay
  • Learn about the importance of Jordan’s Principle by reading  Spirit Bear’s Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action .
  • Learn more about Spirit Bear and Jordan’s Principle by downloading and reading  Spirit Bear and Children Make History .
  • Watch the documentary Jordan River Anderson, The Messenger  to learn more about Jordan’s Principle. This documentary is available to watch for free through the National Film Board.

This article has also been posted on the PSAC website.