National Child Day 2022
Since 1991, Canada has declared Nov 20th as National Child Day. Kids Kottage Foundation joins in celebration of National Child Day as we recognize the commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNRC) first signed on November 20, 1989 which defines children's rights to protection, education, healthcare, shelter and good nutrition.
Kids Kottage Foundation shares in the commitment to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect and have every opportunity to reach their full potential.
"Every child has the right to thrive. Kids Kottage does just that by building resiliency and confidence and giving children enriching activities such as play and learning in their most difficult times. Kids Kottage provides a support system for children and parents when they need a helping hand. Their work with and for children and families are the building blocks of healthy communities. I'm proud that Edmonton has 1 of 3 crisis nurseries in Canada, demonstrating our community commitment to upholding children's rights. This National Child Day is an opportunity to support, celebrate, and commit to helping children to realize their full potential." Councillor Erin Rutherford.
Children play an important role in our hearts. National Child Day encourages us to reflect on the importance of fair treatment for families needing extra assistance in providing a safe and healthy environment for their children to thrive.
In the the words of Cindy Blackstock, "My hope is that First Nations children will never have to grow up recovering from their childhoods and non-Indigenous children never have to say they are sorry". Shared by Cheryl Whiskeyjack, Executive Director of Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society.
Celebrating National Child Day is about celebrating children as active participants in their own lives and communities, as active citizens who can and should meaningfully contribute to decision-making.
"Happy National Child day. Preserving the rights of infants and children is at the core of what we do. Together we can support children to build a brighter and more resilient future. Each of us has an active role to play in ensuring every child can flourish. Together we can ensure the rights of infants and children to survive and thrive are preserved. I extend my sincere gratitude and thank you to everyone in the community; because of you, we are able to provide safe space for the infants and children at risk" Janine Fraser, Executive Director of Kids Kottage Foundation
By approving the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, Canada promised to guarantee that all children would be treated with pride and respect. This responsibility incorporates the open door for kids to have a voice, be shielded from any harm, and be given their fundamental needs and each chance to achieve their maximum capacity.
"This year, National Child Day will be celebrating the theme, "The Right to Participate" in community, culture, play, and family. Children are full of curiosity, wonder, and innocence. What do they need from us as adults to participate fully in their world? They need safety, nurturing bonds, diversity in their community, and play.
Children need safety to grow, express feelings, play and break things, and space to learn how to put them back together. When life presents challenges for these children and families, communities must protect long-term access to support for children who critically need them.
The science is precise, and so are our hearts – ensuring children have safe spaces to be children, with caring adults around them, making their needs a priority is vital to their long-term well-being.
In a world where challenges with mental health are becoming the norm, perhaps National Child Day is not only a chance to celebrate children but also reminds us that the laughter, hope, and dreams they hold so easily are their gifts to us. They are a reminder to all of us who were once children of what is important and what it means to be truly human.
Bissell Centre celebrates our friends at Kids Kottage for their outstanding work providing safe spaces for children facing their most challenging moments and filling them with light and love. We can all remember when we were hurt, afraid, or alone, and someone took a moment to ensure we were safe and cared for. "No act of kindness is ever wasted, no matter how small." ~ Aesop Gary St. Amand, CEO – of Bissell Centre
National Child Day is a day to celebrate the rights of children and a day of opportunity for parents and caregivers to teach children about their rights and to celebrate themselves.
"On National Child Day, we want to affirm the relationship between children and their communities. When it comes to walking beside youth on their journeys towards healing from trauma, it takes all of us to make that space and build that trust so children and youth feel safe to recover, grow, learn, and flourish in the people and future community leaders they want to be.
We stand with Kids Kottage in their mission to empower children in their right to participate in their communities in ways that support their voices and their confidence." Margo Long, President and CEO of YESS- Youth Empowerment & Support Services
At Kids Kottage, we recognize that we all play a role in providing our infants and children with opportunities to be heard as we support them in reaching their full potential. We encourage all Edmontonians to continue working together to build a community for our kids where they can stay curious and enjoy a childhood that has safety, safe food, safe shelter and positive support.