The Representative for Children and Youth’s Office (RCYO) will be celebrating National Child Day this week and encourages all Nunavummiut to do the same.
Each year, November 20 is commemorated as National Child Day, the day Canada ratified the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The CRC details all basic human rights that children and youth hold and outlines the important responsibility that government and community play in helping young people realize these rights.
“It is our responsibility as adults and as a community, to be aware of the rights that young Nunavummiut have and to support them”, says Sherry McNeil<-Mulak, the Representative for Children and Youth. “Even though the CRC was signed more than 30 years ago, we still have a lot of work to do to honor these rights. One thing we can all do is to listen and value what young people have to say, especially when they talk to us about issues that affect their own lives.”
In celebration of National Child Day, this week the RCYO will be hosting a special lunch for students at Inuksuk High School (November 20), taking part in a bus parade with Iqaluit’s Early Childhood Licensed Facilities (November 20 at 10 am starting at the Legion), and observing Youth Parliament.
The RCYO is also very excited to announce the winners of their fourth-annual Your Story, Your Voice contest today. The goal of the contest is to raise awareness of child rights with young Nunavummiut. This year’s contest focused on a child’s right to education (Article 28 and 29). The RCYO would like to thank all classes who participated for their creative and inspiring entries. This year’s winners are:
K - Grade 3 category: 1a class at Rachel Arngnammaktiq Elementary School, Baker Lake
Grade 4 – 7 category: Grade 7-9 class at Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik High in Gjoa Haven
Grade 8 – 12 category: Grade 11 class at Paatsaali High School in Sanikiluaq