We are all Treaty People

May 31, 2023

As we review the dates we want to bring attention to during June, we are overwhelmed by the struggles and stories it took to bring some of these days to fruition. Imagine the tenacity and energy it took to dedicate a day like World Day Against Child Labour, Juneteenth Day, and National Indigenous People Day. There are also moments to celebrate as we note the Global Day of Parents and the ongoing achievements made by Women in Science.

There are many important days of awareness this month, motivating us to reflect and consider how we as individuals can call on our governments, our communities and ourselves to advocate for others.

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day for Canadians to come together, reflect on and celebrate the unique heritage, traditions, and knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. First Nations, also known as Indian bands, are the largest group of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, with over 600 recognized bands. They are diverse in their cultures, languages and traditions. They are located throughout Canada, with the largest populations in Ontario and British Columbia. Each Indigenous group in Canada has its own distinct history, culture and traditions, and they should be recognized and respected as unique and valuable parts of Canadian society. Keep reading...

Global Day of Parents
58% of children are known to help out aging parents. And 20% of millennials are financially responsible.

World Day Against Child Labour
While significant progress has been made in reducing child labour over the last two decades, progress has slowed over time, and it has even stalled during the period 2016-2020. Today, 160 million children are still engaged in child labour – some as young as 5.

Elder Abuse Awareness Day
According to the General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety (Victimization), there were about 128,000 senior victims of violence in Canada in 2019. Rates of violent victimization were five times lower among seniors aged 65 and older compared to younger Canadians (20 versus 100 incidents per 1,000 population).

Juneteenth Day
The history of the Black community in Canada is, for many reasons, unique from the Black legacy in the United States. While less than 10% of the Black American collective is foreign-born, Statistics Canada reports that less than 10% of Black Canadians were born to parents also born in Canada (compared to 58.4% of Canada's total population).

World Refugee Day
Over 100 million people are displaced worldwide. Each day thousands more flee their homes. The day also aims to recognize refugees for their contribution to the world.

National Indigenous People Day
On average, Indigenous people were 8.8 years younger than the non-Indigenous population in 2016. Indigenous youth, those aged 15 to 24 years, made up one-sixth of the entire Indigenous population (16.9%), a larger proportion than among the non-Indigenous population (12%).

International Day of Widows
Despite the fact that there are more than 258 million widows around the world, widows have historically been left unseen, unsupported, and unmeasured in our societies.