Get your school involved with “Our Dreams Matter Too” June 11 walks
On June 11th thousands of students will take part in a walk and letter-writing day asking the federal government to give First Nations’ children the same opportunities that other Canadians enjoy.
The second annual “Our Dreams Matter Too” is organized by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. It is keeping alive “Shannen’s Dream,” the movement started by Attawapiskat's Shannen Koostachin, who wanted a decent school for First Nations’ children.
ETFO was fortunate to have Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society as a keynote speaker at February’s … and still we rise conference.
Consider this. Under the Indian Act, education funding for Aboriginal students is $2,000 less than that of students in provincially funded schools. And federal welfare rates are 22% less than the provincial rates, forcing far too many youth into foster care.
Conditions like these have moved ETFO to support First Nations in achieving equity. Along with funding for “Shannen’s Dream,” ETFO is a sponsor of the Lieutenant Governor’s Summer Reading Camps for First Nations’ youth living in northern fly-in communities. We also sponsor the Right To Play Youth Leadership Program in 35 First Nations communities.
You can take part in June 11th activities by inviting your students to write letters to the Prime Minister or Members of Parliament, and organizing a walk to a mailbox to mail them. A variety of materials are available including posters and bookmarks by registering your school’s support and participation at www.fncaringsociety/our-dreams-matter-too.
