Our Dreams Matter Too

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Thursday, June 19th, 2014
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

On June 19, give First Nations children the opportunity to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of their cultures. Join us at the Our Dreams Matter Too walk as we walk together to give First Nations children the same opportunities that all other Canadians enjoy.

Launched in 2011 by the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society (the Caring Society), Our Dreams Matter Too is an annual walk and letter writing event aimed at supporting culturally based equity for First Nations children.

Children living on reserve receive less funding for services like education, health and child welfare than all other children enjoy. This makes it difficult for First Nations children to achieve their dreams and grow up to be proud of who they are. Our Dreams Matter Too is about showing the federal government that people in Canada want First Nations children to receive the same opportunity to succeed as all other children, in ways that respect their cultures and languages.

The Nanaimo Our Dreams Matter Too walk will be held on June 19th, 2014 at Maffeo Sutton Park Lions Pavilion from 11:00 am � 3:00 pm. The 2.5 km walk will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the pavilion, down the Harbourfront Walkway to the Townsite Marina and back. After the walk, the day�s events will include children�s activities, a bouncy castle, face painting, a colouring contest, information booths, guest speakers, a letter writing station and traditional First Nation ceremonies.

This peaceful and respectful walk supports three campaigns:
� Shannen's Dream (www.shannensdream.ca) for "safe and comfy schools" and quality education;
� Jordan's Principle (www.jordansprinciple.ca) to ensure equitable access to all government services; and,
� I am a witness (www.fnwitness.ca) to help First Nations children grow up safely at home.

The event is funded by the First Nations Health Authority in partnership with Inter Tribal Health Authority, Kw�umut Lelum Child and Family Services, Snuneymuxw First Nation, VIU, Nanaimo RCMP First Nation Policing, Nanaimo Aboriginal Child & Youth Mental Services, and Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Health Centre.