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.
Bear Witness DayHonouring Jordan’s Principle
Standing with First Nations children and families in the continued pursuit of equity, dignity, and care.
Every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. Bear Witness Day calls us to hold that truth close and act on it.
Why We Bear Witness
Bear Witness Day takes its name from Jordan River Anderson, a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation who spent the first years of his life in hospital, waiting for two levels of government to agree on who would pay for his home care. Jordan passed away in hospital in 2005, before that agreement was ever reached. He never made it home.
His story led to the creation of Jordan’s Principle, a child-first legal obligation that ensures First Nations children can access the services they need, without being caught in jurisdictional disputes between federal and provincial governments. On May 10 each year, we gather in spirit to honour Jordan, to renew our understanding of his legacy, and to recommit to a future where no child falls through the cracks.
For those of us working in early years and early childhood education, this day is not only a moment of reflection. It is a call to keep asking: are the children and families we serve truly receiving what they need?
Jordan’s Principle Today
Jordan’s Principle covers a wide range of services for First Nations children, including mental health, respite care, medical equipment, educational supports, and more. While progress has been made, advocacy continues to ensure the principle is applied fully and fairly. Bear Witness Day keeps that conversation alive in homes, classrooms, and communities across the country.
Ways to Honour Bear Witness Day in Your Setting
We encourage educators and program teams to mark this day in ways that feel genuine and meaningful for your community. Here are some ideas:
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Place a teddy bear where children can see it This small act carries a big meaning. Teddy bears have long been a symbol of Bear Witness Day, a gentle, visible reminder that we are watching, we are listening, and we care about the wellbeing of First Nations children.
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Invite children to express what fairness looks like to them Through drawing, painting, or storytelling, children can explore ideas of care and belonging in ways that are developmentally right for them. Their voices matter in this conversation.
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Share Spirit Bear stories Books from the Spirit Bear series, developed by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, introduce Jordan’s Principle through compassionate storytelling. They are written for young children and are a wonderful way to open conversation.
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Wear orange or bear-themed clothing as a team Solidarity shows up in small ways too. Wearing a common colour or symbol helps build a sense of shared purpose among staff, families, and the children you work with.
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Take time for team reflection Gather with your colleagues to talk honestly about how your program supports equity for Indigenous children. What is going well? Where are there gaps? What would it look like to do more?
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Share information with families A short note home about Bear Witness Day, written with care and focus on hope and action, helps extend this learning beyond your classroom walls. Families are partners in this work.
Resources to Support Your Learning
Jordan’s Principle, Government of Canada
Official information on eligibility, how to apply, and what services Jordan’s Principle covers for First Nations children.
canada.ca/jordans-principleFirst Nations Child and Family Caring Society
The home of Bear Witness Day. Find classroom resources, Spirit Bear books, activity guides, and community events.
fncaringsociety.com/BearWitnessSpirit Bear and Jordan’s Principle (APTN)
A short film for younger audiences that tells Jordan’s story with warmth and clarity. Well suited for educator learning.
Watch on YouTubeSpirit Bear Book Series
A collection of illustrated books designed for classrooms and family settings, exploring equity and belonging through Spirit Bear’s adventures.
fncaringsociety.com/publicationsFamily Letter
Ready to print or share digitally with the families in your program.
Dear Families,
This week, we are joining communities across the country in honouring Bear Witness Day, observed each year on May 10. It is a day that holds real meaning for us, and we wanted to take a moment to share it with you.
Bear Witness Day was created in honour of Jordan River Anderson, a little boy from Norway House Cree Nation who was born with a complex medical condition. For the first two years of his life, Jordan lived in a Winnipeg hospital, not because he had to medically, but because the federal and provincial governments could not agree on who should pay for his care at home. Jordan passed away in 2005, at just five years old, still waiting for that answer. He never got to go home.
Jordan’s story moved so many people that it became the foundation for Jordan’s Principle, a commitment that First Nations children will always come first, and that no child will be denied services because of a disagreement between governments. The principle covers things like health care, mental health supports, educational resources, and more.
On Bear Witness Day, we ask everyone to pause and reflect. To remember Jordan. And to think about what it means to truly stand up for the children in our communities.
In our program today, children may:
- See a teddy bear displayed in our space, a symbol used to bear witness to Jordan’s story and the ongoing work of Jordan’s Principle.
- Listen to a story about Spirit Bear, a character from the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society who helps children learn about fairness and care.
- Take part in an art activity where they share what kindness and fairness look like to them.
These activities are gentle and age-appropriate. Our goal is not to teach difficult history to young children, but to plant seeds of empathy, care, and belonging. We believe that children who grow up knowing that every person matters are better prepared to walk in good relationship with others.
If you have questions, or if you would like to talk more about Bear Witness Day and what it means, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to connect.
Thank you for trusting us with your children, and for joining us in this learning.
With gratitude and care,
Red Dress Day
A Day of Remembrance
& Solidarity
National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ People
As educators walking alongside young children and families, we hold a sacred responsibility to create spaces of belonging where every life is honoured, every story is held with care, and every child feels the strength and beauty of the women, girls, and 2Spirit people in their communities. Red Dress Day reminds us that this work is not separate from early learning — it lives within it.
In the songs we sing, the stories we share, the care we show, and the relationships we nurture, we affirm that Indigenous lives matter. Justice begins with how we show up every single day. We invite you to engage with the resources and supports below, and to carry this day forward with cultural humility, solidarity, and love.
Carol Roberts, Educator and Author
Carol Roberts is a St’at’imc and Sto:lo educator, author, and Faculty Lecturer in the Teacher Education Department at UBC. She brings more than 20 years of experience supporting Indigenous education and decolonizing practice, and shares her guidance on approaching Red Dress Day with young learners.
Watch her conversation on the Talking with Teachers YouTube channel, where she speaks directly to educators about honouring MMIWG2S with young children in age-appropriate, culturally respectful ways.
Watch on YouTube: Talking with TeachersEducator resources & lesson plans at carolynroberts.net →
Tessa’s Red Dress: Honouring Love and Family
This beautiful new picture book uses age-appropriate and empathetic language to introduce young children to Red Dress Day and the importance of honouring MMIWG2S. Through the eyes of young Tessa, readers follow a family preparing for a Red Dress Day march, holding the memory of a missing auntie with love, story, and connection. Backmatter pages support parents and educators in navigating this conversation with children.
Order from Medicine Wheel Publishing →Wear red in solidarity. Share with children that red is a special colour used to honour important people in our communities.
Create a quiet display with red fabric, ribbons, or a simple red dress alongside a respectful message for families.
Engage children in creating red hearts, flowers, or fabric art while talking about kindness and care for all people.
Take time as a team to learn about the history and ongoing impact of MMIWG2S using the resources listed below.
Share a thoughtful family communication focused on respect, honour, and solidarity rather than graphic details.
Reflect together on how your learning environment affirms the strength and presence of Indigenous women and girls every day.
Ready to share with families and caregivers
Dear Families and Caregivers,
On Monday, May 5, we will be acknowledging Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ People. This day was created to honour those who are missing and taken, and to stand together as a community in support of their families and loved ones.
In our program, we will be wearing red as a symbol of solidarity and love. We may have a small display in our space that invites children to notice the colour red and talk about caring for the people in our lives. Our conversations with children will be gentle, age-appropriate, and focused on themes of kindness, community, and honouring the important people in our families.
We are guided in this work by Carol Roberts, St’at’imc and Sto:lo educator and author of the new picture book Tessa’s Red Dress: Honouring Love and Family. This book offers a tender and age-appropriate way to talk with young children about Red Dress Day, and we are glad to share it with your family.
If you have questions or would like to talk further, please reach out. We are grateful to walk this learning journey alongside you.
With care and respect,
[Program Name]
Ontario Aboriginal Head Start Association Member Site
Copy and personalize this message for your program newsletter, email, or take-home communication.
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National Inquiry into MMIWG: Final Report and Calls for Justice mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
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Talking with Teachers: Carol Roberts on Red Dress Day https://youtu.be/U5-6pfkZwx4?si=cgSlQbH5yLHhCaBh
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CBC Kids News: Red Dress Day, What It Is and How It Began cbc.ca/kidsnews
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Carol Roberts: Teacher Talks, Lesson Plans, and Educator Resources carolynroberts.net
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Tessa’s Red Dress by Carol Roberts: Book and Educator Backmatter Medicine Wheel Publishing
Our goal is not to teach traumatic details to young children, but to model respect, empathy, and allyship in age-appropriate and culturally respectful ways. Centring Indigenous voices and leadership is essential to doing this work well. We thank you for joining us in standing in solidarity, raising awareness, and continuing the journey toward justice and healing.
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.
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.
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.
February 11, 2025
February 4, 2025
October 24, 2024
Orange Shirt Day – September 30th