Notable Acknowledgements

Understanding Truth and Reconcilliation

As an Indigenous organization, we are deeply committed to supporting our communities in meaningful ways. One of the ways we do this is by raising awareness and sharing knowledge about important events and days that hold cultural, historical, or social significance to our people.

We recognize the importance of these occasions not only for honouring our culture and traditions but also for fostering a sense of unity and pride within our communities. By highlighting these events, we aim to educate, engage, and inspire everyone to come together in celebration, reflection, and mutual respect. We believe that by providing this knowledge, we can help bridge gaps in understanding, promote cultural appreciation, and build stronger, more inclusive connections both within and beyond our community.

Our goal is to ensure that these important days are recognized, respected, and remembered, and that our communities feel seen and valued in all aspects of society. We invite everyone to join us in this journey of learning, and honouring our Indigenous peoples; First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

We honour and remember Savannah, a valued member of our community whose kindness, dedication, and spirit touched many lives.

Savannah’s work and presence reflected a deep care for children, families, and colleagues. She brought warmth, generosity, and a willingness to support others in ways that strengthened the relationships around her. Her contributions helped nurture spaces where learning, respect, and community connection could grow. While Savannah is no longer with us, the impact she made continues through the people she supported, the relationships she helped build, and the care she shared with those around her.

We extend our deepest condolences to Savannah’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside her. She will be remembered with gratitude and respect.

We invite you to share a memory, message, photo, or reflection in honour of Savannah.
Your words will help create a collective space of remembrance for all who knew and cared for her.

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Please click the yellow “Post” button to share your memories or photos.

On National Indigenous Languages Day, we honour the strength, resilience, and beauty of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit languages. Indigenous languages carry identity, worldview, and deep connection to land and community. In early years environments, language is more than communication, it is belonging. When children hear their languages spoken, sung, and celebrated, they see themselves reflected and affirmed.

Language carries memory.

Language carries future.

Language carries us.

Suggested Children’s Books for Early Years

To support meaningful conversations and language visibility in classrooms, consider:

Stolen Words by Melanie Florence
Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk
Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp
My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson

These stories support identity, belonging, land connection, and language affirmation in age-appropriate ways.

Honouring Indigenous languages is not a one-day practice, it is an ongoing commitment to relationship, learning, and resurgence.

Dear Educators

On September 30, we honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This is a time to reflect on the truths of residential schools and to recognize the strength and resilience of survivors, their families, and communities. It is a reminder that every child matters and a call to move beyond acknowledgement into meaningful action.

Heart Learning Commitment:

Through our Heart Learning: A Journey of Allyship and Reciprocity series, we continue to build and deepen relationships with Indigenous communities, creating spaces of respect, reciprocity, and connection. Guided by the voices and stories of Indigenous Peoples, we carry forward the responsibility of reconciliation as we work together toward a future rooted in truth, healing, and justice.

Explore Resources:

We invite you to view our Notable Acknowledgements presentation below, which shares additional resources, reflections, and ways to engage in this important journey.

Every Child Matters: Orange Shirt Day Learning Guide

Understanding the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Thank you for joining us in honouring Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Together, we can continue to listen, learn, and act in ways that uphold truth, respect, and healing.

On National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21st, we take time to honour the rich histories, cultures, languages, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Turtle Island. This day is a time for reflection, learning, and continued commitment to walking in good relations.

In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day and the launch of Shared Pathways, we invite you to engage with our Padlet reflections—and in doing so, enter our Book Bundle Giveaway!

Rooted in the traditional practice of giving, this giveaway honours Indigenous values of generosity, community care, and knowledge sharing.

🪶 Each bundle includes 3 thoughtfully selected books focused on Indigenous early learning and family wellbeing.
We ask that you:

Keep one book for your own learning,
Gift one to a child or family, and
Offer the third as you feel called, to honour the spirit of reciprocity and pay it forward.

📌 Contribute to the Padlet by June 27, 2025 to be entered into the draw.

Click Here to Access Padlet

Let’s walk this learning journey together—with kindness, humility, and care

May 6, 2025

On May 10, we invite you to join us in honouring Bear Witness Day—a powerful moment in our collective journey for justice, equity, and fairness for First Nations children.

This day is named in honour of Jordan River Anderson, a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation. His story gave rise to Jordan’s Principle, a legal obligation ensuring First Nations children have equitable access to the services they need, when they need them.

As educators shaping the earliest experiences of children, Bear Witness Day reminds us to hold space with cultural humility—to listen deeply, reflect honestly, and act meaningfully.

Ways ECEs Can Honour Bear Witness Day

🧸 Display teddy bears in your classroom to “bear witness”
🎨 Invite children to share what fairness and care mean to them through art
📚 Read Spirit Bear stories to introduce Jordan’s Principle with compassion
🧡 Wear orange or bear-themed clothing in solidarity
🗣 Reflect as a staff team on how your environment supports equity for Indigenous children

Resources to Support You

Jordan’s Principle – Government of Canada
canada.ca/jordans-principle
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society – Bear Witness Day
fncaringsociety.com/BearWitness
Spirit Bear and Jordan’s Principle Video (Short film by APTN)
🎥 Watch here
Spirit Bear Book Series for Classrooms
📚 fncaringsociety.com/publications/spirit-bear-books

April 28, 2025

On May 5, we come together to honour Red Dress Day, a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ People.

As educators, we have a unique opportunity to create gentle awareness within our learning environments while holding cultural humility — a commitment to listen, learn, and honour Indigenous experiences and leadership.

Red Dress Day, inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s powerful installation, calls us to remember those who are missing and taken, and to raise our collective voices for justice, healing, and change.

Here are ways you can acknowledge Red Dress Day with young children and families:

🌹 Wear Red: Staff are encouraged to wear red in solidarity. Share with children that red is a special colour used to honour important people.

🌹 Create a Gentle Display: Set up a quiet space with red fabric, ribbons, or a simple red dress. Include a short message for families about the significance of the day, respecting the sensitive nature of the topic.

🌹 Storytelling and Art: Engage children in creating red hearts, flowers, or fabric art while discussing kindness, community, and care for all people.

🌹 Educator Reflection: Take time as a team to learn more about the history and ongoing impact of MMIWG2S. Resources will be provided to support personal and professional reflection.

🌹 Communicate Thoughtfully: Share a message with families (like this one) about Red Dress Day, ensuring that the focus remains on respect, honour, and solidarity, rather than graphic details.

Canadian Resources to Learn More

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – Final Report (Download PDF) : The National Inquiry’s Final Report and Calls for Justice
Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) : Provides a toolkit with information and resources for Red Dress Day
Red Dress Day Information from CBC : CBC Kids News article
Office of the Treaty Commissioner :Features a booklet on window art activities related to MMIWG

Remember:

Our goal is not to teach the traumatic details to young children, but to model respect, empathy, and allyship in age-appropriate and culturally respectful ways.

We thank you for joining us in standing in solidarity, raising awareness, and continuing the journey toward justice and healing.