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Started by the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada, Have a Heart Day is an annual event that takes place each February with the aim of raising awareness of the rights of First Nations children. Concerned citizens gather at events held across Canada to express their support for the rights of First Nations children through messages on valentines cards sent to the Prime Minister or their Member of Parliament.  This year, a group of students from the School of Social Work added their voices to this cause and hosted their own Have a Heart Day event.

The students were inspired to organize their Have a Heart event after a speech on “Discrimination: Government Funding Policies and Implications for the Health of First Nations Children” given by Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society, and Philippa Pictou, Director of Health for Pictou Landing First Nation as part of the School’s Indigenious Speaker Series.  The students were particularly inspired by the story of Pictou Landing residents Maurina Beadle and her disabled son Jeremy, who fought and won a landmark ruling under Jordan’s Principle to have the cost of Jeremy’s care covered by the federal government so that he could grow up with his family in his home community. Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle named for Jordan River Anderson, a first nations child from Manitoba who died at the age of five, spending most of his life in hospital while the provincial and federal governments argued over who should pay for his at home care.

Although they had less than a week to plan the event, the students – including Alyssa Buchanan, a first-year student in the School who acted as event coordinator – were so motivated by Blackstock and Pictou, they felt that they had to contribute.  There was a great turnout for the event, with over 30 valentines being made and sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Alyssa has reached out to thank both Blackstock and Pictou, describing them as “an inspiration for us as both human beings and aspiring professionals.”  Alyssa and a group of her classmates hope to travel to Pictou Landing First Nation to meet Maurina and Jeremy and to learn more about their community.