Some Prince Albert citizens were taking to the city’s streets Wednesday to demand equal treatment for First Nations children.
This is the third annual “Our Dreams Matter Too” walk but was the first time Prince Albert took part in the national event.
The walk is about promoting equity for First Nations children.
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says 64 per cent of First Nations children are currently living in poverty in the province compared to 15 per cent of non-First Nations children.
FSIN Vice-Chief Kimberly Jonathan hosted the event and says the unequal treatment of First Nations people by the Harper government is unacceptable.
“Our First Nations children deserve to be protected with equal opportunity that considers their culture and language so that they may be able to achieve their dreams and grow up proud of who they are,” she says. “At this very moment our First Nations children receive less funding in areas such as education, health and child welfare. Two-thirds of our First Nations children are living in poverty right now and this is unacceptable.”
As part of the event, participants were asked to write letters to either Prime Minister Stephen Harper or local MPs supporting culturally based equity.
Wednesday’s walk was timed to coincide with the sixth anniversary of the Prime Minister’s apology for residential schools.