First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition received the news of the 215 unmarked children’s graves found on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School with great sorrow. We share and witness the grief of the generations of Indigenous families who lost these precious children to the MORE
Today, First Call released the following anti-Black racism statement: First Call is committed to ensuring that Canada and BC live up to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and that all decisions are made through the lens of children’s rights. We recognize that police violence against MORE
Each year at our First Call Fundraising Gala, First Call recognizes someone with the Champion of Child and Youth Rights Award for their inspiring and important advocacy for BC children and youth rights. Recent past recipients include Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Raffi, and Katie Hyslop. This year, we are excited to recognize MORE
Earlier this month, McCreary Centre Society released their Ta Saantii Deu/Neso: A Profile of Métis Youth Health in BC report in partnership with Métis Nation BC. Using data from the 2018 BC Adolescent Health Survey, the report looks at the current health picture of Métis youth, their changing needs, and at disparities MORE
The Assembly of First Nations released a primer on new Indigenous child welfare legislation. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-kwe, Residential School History and Dialogue Centre Director and Professor of Law, wrote the report. It addresses the new federal legislation that came into effect for Canadians on January 1, 2020. Mary Ellen outlines that the MORE
The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada (the Caring Society) recently launched the Spirit Bear’s Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action. It is a youth-friendly guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) 94 Calls to Action. A reminder that Have a MORE
A recent study by the University of Victoria and BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres was prompted by the recent closure, or threat of closure of several urban Indigenous early learning and childcare programs in BC. The purpose of this exploratory study was to: (1) generate a greater understanding of how MORE
Have a Heart Day is a child and youth-led reconciliation event organized by First Nations Child & Family Caring Society that brings together caring Canadians to help ensure First Nations children have the services they need to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud MORE
In late 2019, Youth in Care Canada (YICC) released their latest report: Justice, Equity and Culture: The First-Ever YICC Gathering of First Nations Youth Advisors. YICC hosted their first-ever national gathering of 16 First Nations youth in/from care from across Canada in October 2019. These Youth Advisors shared their stories, grew MORE
The Representative for Children and Youth is currently hiring a Deputy Representative for Advocacy and First Nations, Métis and Inuit Relations. The Deputy Representative leads RCY’s individual and systemic advocacy program, including systemic issues and youth and community engagement, and leads the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Relations team. This role MORE
Last month, Lucy Tully from Australia released a paper she wrote that aims to highlight the importance of engaging fathers in early childhood services, and to provide practical tips that practitioners can use to increase their knowledge, skills and confidence in engaging fathers. It finds that involving fathers (along with mothers) in MORE
The YMCA of Greater Vancouver is bringing together Indigenous, settler and newcomers between 18 and 30 years old through Y Nexus. The program takes place February 24 to 27, 2020 at YMCA Camp Elphinstone on the Sunshine Coast. It is rooted in reconciliation and awareness of Indigenous ways of being for MORE
Last week, the Prime Minister of Canada released ministerial mandate letters to guide the work of federal cabinet ministers. UNICEF Canada analyzed the ministerial mandate letters and outlined key policy priorities that will improve child and youth well-being in Canada and around the world. To mark the start of a new parliament, a new MORE
The Province of British Columbia’s Ministry of Children and Family Development recently released an Early Years Indigenous Cultural Safety Resource Guide. The purpose of this guide is to help Early Childhood Educators who work with Indigenous children, families, and communities find appropriate and meaningful resources that will enhance their ability to MORE
This BC Dental Survey of Aboriginal Kindergarten Children report presents survey findings related to the early childhood dental health of Aboriginal children in British Columbia using data from the 2015/2016 B.C. kindergarten dental survey. Since 2009/2010, the oral health of Aboriginal kindergarten children in B.C. has improved at the provincial MORE