UFCW Canada celebrates Bear Witness Day – May 10

Toronto – May 3, 2018 – This May 10, UFCW Canada activists will be joining with our national partner, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada (FNCFCS), to participate in Bear Witness Day in support of equity for First Nations children.

The day calls on Canadians to “Bear Witness” to the federal government’s implementation of Jordan’s Principle, which holds that First Nations children should be able to access all public services in a way that is reflective of their distinct cultural needs, takes full account of the historical disadvantage linked to colonization, and without experiencing any service denials, delays, or disruptions related to their First Nations status.

It has been 11 years since Jordan's Principle was unanimously passed in the House of Commons, and two years since the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered the federal government to fully implement Jordan's Principle by May 10, 2016. However, the government continues to disregard the tribunal’s ruling and subsequent non-compliance orders.

Bear Witness Day therefore encoruages activists and allies to show their support for the implementation of Jordan’s Principle by bringing teddy bears to daycare, school, or work on May 10. By bringing a bear to work on May 10, taking a picture, and posting to social media using the hashtags #BearWitnessDay, #JordansPrinciple, and #UFCWCanada, you can help advance equity for First Nations children in Canada. Supporters can also print off Bear Witness Day information cards and post them in their office common areas to raise awareness of the work that needs to be done to realize Jordan’s Principle.

To learn more about Jordan’s Principle and how you can support Bear Witness Day on May 10, click here.