Schools learn about indigenous child welfare through Moccasin Project
February 9, 2017
GUELPH, Ontario – Students in classrooms and libraries across the Upper Grand DSB are making baby moccasins as part of a powerful project raising awareness of the inequities faced by indigenous children.
The Moccasin Project is a national campaign bringing attention to the desperate state of child apprehension rates impacting indigenous children in Canada.
There are 163,000 indigenous children in foster care in Canada. Manitoba has the highest rate of child welfare apprehension in the Western world.
The goal of Da-giiwewaat (meaning, so they can go home) is to bring these children home to their families and eradicate racism. Campaign organizers have a goal of getting schools, community groups, church groups and more to collectively make 163,000 pairs of moccasins for the indigenous children affected by Canada’s child welfare system.
This week, the Moccasin Project was at Ottawa Crescent Public School. Over the past few days, students in grades 4 to 6 have been coming to the library to learn how to make the moccasins and find out more about the campaign. Students at the school have been amazing and extremely motivated to do the work, said librarian, Ms. Hornett.
Ottawa Crescent PS staff members have also been coming into the library at recess and lunch breaks to continue the work. The result has been many pairs of beautiful, tiny moccasins, carefully stitched together, as well as an opportunity for students to ask questions and learn more about the children apprehended in Canada.
A number of UGDSB schools have also participated in the project, including Parkinson Centennial PS, Westside SS, Westwood PS, Centre Wellington DHS, and Mono-Amaranth PS. The kit will continue to travel around the board sharing its powerful message and engaging students.
Categories: News