By Sheri Selway

There are many special days in November.

The Government of Canada marks November 5-11 as Veterans Week with November 11 being Remembrance Day.  Remembrance Day honours and remembers the peace agreement signed to end the hostilities of World War 1 in 1918. Many now use November 11 to honour peace and remember ending all wars and use the time to reflect on world peace.  November 8 is National Aboriginal Veterans Day to recognize the contributions of Indigenous soldiers in Canada’s war efforts.  Canada History Week is November 20-26 but this year’s theme is not yet listed.  November 20 is National Child Day and November 25 – December 10 is 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.

Here is the Government of Canada’s website for more information on Canada’s Commemorative Days.

Ontario celebrates November 1-7 as Treaties Recognition Week. First Nations people are the original occupants of the land we live on and there are 46 treaties and agreements between the government and the First Nations.  “Treaties are legally binding agreements that set out the rights, responsibilities and relationships of First Nations and the federal and provincial governments. They form the basis of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Although many treaties were signed more than a century ago, treaty commitments are just as valid today as they were then.” The Ontario website has a LOT of material such as books, maps, videos and even an event coming up. Check it out.

National Child Day celebrates the United Nations adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Canada is committed to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect, including ensuring that children have a voice, be protected from harm, be provided with their basic needs and have opportunity to reach their full potential.

I encourage you to check out the National Child Day website.  There you will find reference material, an Activity Kit, a Youth Corner, and a colouring poster. There is a poster that can be printed with the Rights of the Child.

Whitney Houston’s song “The Children are Our Future”, could easily be the theme song for National Child Day.

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.