Chemainus highlights importance of children
Vancouver Island News Group
16 Nov 2004
Ladysmith Chronicle

National Child Day serves to highlight children's rights as enshrined by the United Nations, but also marks Canada's shameful negligence in tacking child poverty, says a Chemainus anti-poverty advocate.

"In 1989 the federal government pledged to eradicate child poverty in 10 years," said Mary Dolan, the NCD organizer in Chemainus. Since 1999, the people of Chemainus have been reminding them of that crucial promise, she said.

"The day is an opportunity to honour children and to move that honour into action," she said.

"We would like to see the federal government finally move on national childcare."

National Child Day on Nov. 20 will be announced by a medieval town crier Robert Alexander of Victoria who will encourage one and all to gather at the Peace Pole. Churches will ring their bells and boats will blow their whistles to conclude the ceremony. Chemainus Theatre is throwing open its doors for a 120 kids to attend the latest extravaganza, Pet the Fish. "The theatre is giving a performance for families that couldn't normally afford to attend a show."

Violinist Rol Morris will be playing a lament, Dolan said, "to symbolize the blindness of society to the sad circumstances of many children living in Canada."

The theatre will be hosting Alexander at the conclusion of the morning show, encouraging people to join the ceremony at the pole. Dolan said the theatre's foyer will display a quilt made by Quamichan school kids, telling a story of what children need.

"Peaceful nights, clean water, pets. Honouring children is listening to children. Kids asking for a skate park, for example," she said.

In previous years, Chemainus marked NCD with what is known as a "Stone Soup" where everybody would bring different items to combat child poverty put together in a symbolic pot. "This year is a bit different," Dolan noted.

As an adjunct to the day, the Dancing Bean cafe will be hosting Faces of Poverty, a photo exhibition documenting desperation from across the country.

Eliminating child poverty will benefit society in all aspects, from reduced crime to healthier individuals, she said.

"Bringing resources to families is the best antidote to poverty."

Proper nutrition in the first five years of life is critical for proper brain development as shown by research, Dolan noted. "We are seeing a lack of care for kids. We need to bring compassion and the economic resources in place," she said. "Ultimately it will help all society."

National Child Day starts at 12:15 Nov. 20 at the Peace Pole in Chemainus. Faces of Poverty will be on display Nov. 19 and 20 at the Dancing Bean.