Students for Action Advocate for Indigenous Rights and Awareness, Engage with MPP

Students and staff from St. Mary Catholic School Students For Action team visited the Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and MPP for Pickering - Uxbridge last week. Minister Bethlenfalvy extended an invitation to the Students For Action team after receiving letters from students at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School requesting the government to end discrimination towards Indigenous Peoples. These letters were inspired by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society’s Have a Heart Day campaign. One of the actions as part of the campaign is to send a letter to an elected official that lets them know that Indigenous children and youth should not have to fight for services all other Canadians have.

While at the MPP’s office Ana Roy M., Ryan H., Ms. Viloria, shared their goals to bring awareness to both students and staff on ways to support the Indigenous community. Among some of the actions the Students For Action team highlighted were joining the walk to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples organized by CAREA Community Health Centre, creating a poster display on Breaking Stereotypes generously donated by Trent University, and a non-uniform day where proceeds will be donated to the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.

The St. Mary Catholic Secondary School Students For Action team will continue to communicate with local elected officials to urge action in support of Indigenous communities.