Friday, Sept. 6 was declared Spirit Bear Day in Prince George.
Mayor Simon Yu made the proclamation at The Exploration Place Friday afternoon. He was joined by Cindy Blackstock, a member of the Gitxsan First Nation and executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.
They were there to celebrate Spirit Bear, a symbol of justice and reconciliation for First Nations children.
The idea for Spirit Bear Day originated during Yu’s visit to the Spirit Bear and Children Make History exhibit’s opening on June 21 (National Indigenous Peoples Day), the city states in a release. The collaboration between the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, the Caring Society, Carrier Sekani Family Services and The Exploration Place, has become a platform for educating the public about the importance of ending inequities in First Nations children’s services.
“As I learned more about Spirit Bear during my visit to the exhibition, I wanted to do something on behalf of the city to acknowledge this amazing symbol that is Spirit Bear, and that he spreads such an important message in a gentle way for children,” said Yu. “Every year on Sept. 6, I want us all to recognize Spirit Bear and what he stands for.”
Spirit Bear, also known as Sus Zul in the Carrier language, serves as a symbol of the sacredness of children and has become a key figure in advocating for the rights of First Nations children, most notably during the landmark human rights case Caring Society et al v. Attorney General of Canada, which addressed longstanding discrimination in federally funded First Nations child welfare and the upholding of Jordan’s Principle.
“Spirit Bear Day in Prince George honours all children who stood with First Nations peoples to achieve what the late Elder Elmer Courchene called 'Loving Justice,'" said Blackstock. "When Mary Teegee of Carrier Sekani Family Services gifted Spirit Bear to me in 2007, he was immediately put to work as a 'Bearrister,' attending the historic human rights case to address Canada’s discrimination in First Nations children’s services. As children of all diversities filled the courtrooms, they held Spirit Bear, and with each hug, his spirit and meaning grew. Spirit Bear is proud that Prince George is his hometown, and I am proud it was my hometown too!”
The event featured the official proclamation ceremony, a tour of the ‘Spirit Bear and Children Make History’ exhibit, and a special presentation honoring the youth who volunteer as Spirit Bear exhibit hosts and tour guides.
The Spirit Bear and Children Make History exhibit is at The Exploration Place until Oct.15. Meant for children, it has on display the puppets and sets from the four Spirit Bear stop-motion films made by award-winning Indigenous Studio Spotted Fawn Productions.
For more information visit the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society’s website at www.fncaringsociety.com.
