Action is the more important part of learning. If we don’t take what we have learned and apply it to our lives we have not respected the learning that our Elders and teachers have given to us. In Step 5 of Project of Heart we chose an action that will make things better in our communities and our society.
The learner group now has the task of selecting a Social Justice Action that they will participate in to help to bring about positive change in their school, their community, our country or our world. As you scroll down the list that we have provided below your learner group will select one or more Social Justice Actions to take part in. Learner groups may also develop their own Social Justice Action. Project of Heart is always excited to hear about, support and spread the word about new Social Justice Actions that learner groups are undertaking in their own way.
The Touchstones of Hope is a set of principles to guide a reconciliation process for those involved in Indigenous child welfare activities. The movement fosters relationship building. Opportunities that provide a space and place to have respectful and truthful conversations about child welfare are provided in order to create a new reality for Indigenous children. This includes concrete next steps for moving forward together so that all Indigenous children are healthy and living with dignity and respect.
To learn more and sign up please visit: http://www.fncaringsociety.com/projects/CAB-touchstones
Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle to resolving jurisdictional disputes within and between federal and provincial/territorial governments within Canada. It applies to all government services available to children, youth and their families. Examples of services covered by Jordan’s Principle include but are not limited to: education, health, child welfare, childcare, recreation, and culture and language services.
To learn more and sign-up please visit: http://www.jordansprinciple.ca
Be a witness!
On February 27, 2007, the Assembly of First Nations [AFN], a political organization representing all First Nations in Canada, and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada [FNCFCS], a national non-profit organization providing services to First Nations child welfare organizations, took the historic step of holding Canada accountable before the Canadian Human Rights Commission for its current treatment of First Nations children. The complaint alleges that the Government of Canada had a longstanding pattern of providing less government funding for child welfare services to First Nations children on reserves than is provided to non-Aboriginal children. People of all ages and organizations can help ensure First Nations children receive equitable child welfare services on reserve by signing up to be a witness!
To learn more and sign-up please visit: http://www.fncaringsociety.com/fnwitness
On June 11, 2012 thousands of people across Canada stood with First Nations children for the same opportunity to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and proud of their cultures. Our Dreams Matter Too is an annual walk and letter writing event calling for culturally based equity for First Nations children. June 11 saw more than 50 Our Dreams Matter Too walks coast-to-coast! Get involved and encourage children, youth, families, schools and organizations in your area to write letters to your MP and the Prime Minister supporting culturally based equity for First Nations children and organize a walk to a mail box in your community!
Click here for the information sheet or visit: http://www.fncaringsociety.com/our-dreams-matter-too/
According to a government statistic, young Indigenous women in Canada are five times more likely than other women of the same age to die as the result of violence. The Native Women’s Association of Canada has documented more than 580 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada, most within the last three decades. Because of gaps in police and government reporting, the actual numbers may be much higher.
The Canadian government has condemned the violence and promised to take action. But efforts to date have fallen far short of the comprehensive, coordinated response needed to address such serious and pervasive human rights violations.
Please visit: http://www.amnesty.ca/iwriteforjustice/take_action.php?actionid=741&type=Internal to learn more and write a message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling on the Canadian government to take action to end the violence
There is something you can do about the Alberta Tar Sands – we can let our government and industry officials know that we are aware of what is happening and what we want done about it by sending an electronic letter.
To learn more please visit: http://tarsandswatch.org/
Shannen Koostachin of Attawapiskat First Nation had a dream – safe and comfy schools and culturally based education for First Nations children and youth. She worked tirelessly to try to convince the federal government to give First Nations children a proper education before tragically passing away at the age of 15 years old in 2010. Now it is our turn to carry her dream forward.
To learn more and sign-up please visit: http://www.fncaringsociety.com/shannensdream
Have a Heart – Get Involved – Spread the Word:
The Have a Heart campaign invites individuals to support culturally based equity for First Nations children living on reserve. On February 14, Valentine’s Day, show your love, unity and compassion by engaging in respectful activities that support equity for First Nations children so that each and every child in Canada is treated fairly and can grow up happy. Take action! Together we can ensure that First Nations children and youth have a brighter future!
To learn more and support Have a Heart please visit: http://www.fncaringsociety.com/have-a-heart/
Write a letter in support of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake
Urge the Federal Government to respect the traditional leadership selection process of the Barriere Lake Community and end its attempt to impose Section 74 Indian Act band elections.
To write your letter please visit: http://www.barrierelakesolidarity.org/2007/10/blog-post.html
Visit Amnesty International’s Action Centre for even more ways to support Human Rights in Canada!
http://www.amnesty.ca/iwriteforjustice/action_centre.php
Pe’Sla is the Sacred Sites in the Black Hills in South Dakota. The home of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people. It is part of their Creation story and holds the Universe in harmony. It is under threat of being sold to the highest bidder for development. You can contribute to their fundraising initiative as well as sign the petition to help! Click the link below to find out how!
*This is URGENT as they only have until August 25th to come up with as much money as they can to buy this Sacred site. THIS IS ONLY DAYS AWAY.
To learn more and support this cause please visit: http://www.indiegogo.com/PeSla-LakotaHeartland
