Have a Heart Day
The Early Childhood Studies degree program at the University of Guelph-Humber in collaboration with the Humber College Early Childhood Education diploma program recognizes Have a Heart Day as a day to stand with and advocate for Indigenous Children’s rights. Have a Heart Day is a reconciliation event that looks to garner equal funding and access to services for Indigenous Peoples to ensure equal opportunity for their healthy and safe development. This day unites Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous people through their joint efforts in advocating for the rights of Indigenous children (First Nations Children & Family Caring Society, n.d.a). Last year, in 2022, marked the 10th year anniversary of Have a Heart Day! This year, we hope to continue our endeavor for First Nations Children’s equal rights through on-campus and at home opportunities for commemoration.
Inequality
Children's services in Indigenous communities receive 22% less funding than child welfare services in other communities (Amnesty International Canada, 2019).
Indigenous children living on reserve receive 30% less funding for education than Canadian children in provincially funded schools (Porter, 2016).
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Click below to learn more about inequalities in the education system.
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Jordan's Principle
Jordan River Anderson died in a hospital at the age of 5 years old after never spending a day in his family home because the provincial and federal governments couldn't agree on who would pay for his at-home care. Jordan's Principle was established to ensure Indigenous children have the same access to the care they need as all Canadian children do (First Nations Child & Family Caring Society, n.d.c).
Click below to learn more about Jordan's Principle.
Take Action
On February 9, Please visit the LRC between 8am-4pm to create a Valentine Message for the Prime Minister in support of First Nations Children rights. If you are unable to attend please visit Humber College Resource Room for Humber ECE
On February 14, the Valentine Making continues at GH, come join us at University of Guelph-Humber in the ECS Resource Room (on the 3rd floor) from February 9-14. Starting at 10 AM stop by to write a Have A Heart note in support of First Nations children. Everyone is also welcome to visit the Have A Heart Day table at the Atrium on Feb. 14.
Please review this website for more information for the annual Have a Heart for First Nations Children advocacy event and for suggestions of what to write on your Valentine.
(First Nations Child & Family Caring Society, n.d.b)
![ecard_en.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b79182_6eb3b738d0c64b3cbfa2f93d3488feae~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_465,h_291,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/ecard_en.png)
References
Amnesty International Canada. (2019, Dec. 7). Have a Heart Day 2020. https://www.amnesty.ca/blog/have-heart-day-
2020
First Nations Child & Family Caring Society. (n.d.a). Have a Heart Day. https://fncaringsociety.com/have-a-heart
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First Nations Child & Family Caring Society. (n.d.b). Have a Heart Day - Send a Letter to the Prime Minister or Your MP.
https://fncaringsociety.com/have-heart-day-send-letter-prime-minister-or-your-mp
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First Nations Child & Family Caring Society. (n.d.c). Jordan’s Principle. https://fncaringsociety.com/jordans-principle
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Porter, J. (2016, Mar. 14). Doing the Math on the First Nations Education Funding Gap. CBC News.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/first-nations-education-funding-gap-1.3487822