Isa Mundo partnered with Translink to secure much needed Compass tickets to allow children, youth and families to attend an important youth event and end of summer gathering. We are thankful for Translink's continued support to help local organizations who are providing services to support community members.
To support KidSafe, please visit its website at www.kidsafe.ca
To learn more about Translink's programs, visit its Community Sponsorships and Partnerships page.
September 30th is also known as Orange Shirt Day. It is a time to recognize, raise awareness and create meaningful discussions on the effects of residential schools on survivors, their families and communities. It is also a time to reflect, remember and continue to learn about Indigenous cultures, languages, heritage, traditions and most importantly, the contributions of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
Isa Mundo Foundation members and volunteers - from Ottawa to Toronto to Edmonton and Vancouver - donated to the Orange Shirt Society, volunteered at Indigenous led organizations, attended gatherings to support survivors and community members and committed to develop various resources and tools in their workplaces to educate colleagues on the history of residential schools. We are aware that these actions will not be enough to heal deep wounds from 100+ years of marginalization and oppression against Indigenous peoples but we all need to take steps to accept and recognize the truth and to listen to oral stories and teachings of Indigenous Elders and survivors. We have a shared history and Canada's narrative is not all positive. And for non-Indigenous peoples, we need to understand and accept that we all have a responsibility as individuals and as a collective to progress reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island.
To learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
To learn more about and contribute to the annual Orange Shirt Day, visit the Orange Shirt Society.
The TEF will be working closely with our schools, teachers, administrators and volunteers in Mexico, Philippines, Peru, Guatemala and Nicagua where our Isa Mundo Education Centres are located. We hope to support 4-5 students per month ranging from $100-$500 CDN. We look forward to reaching out to our existing Isa Mundo partners and network to promote and support this newly launched education fund that will improve the educational opportunities of many students globally.
About the Logo:
Chinese seals, also called chops, signets, or stamps, are historically used to prove identity of a person, a social group, a government or even the country itself. Traditionally, these seals appear on various articles such as paintings, documents, diplomas, checks and receipts. Today, these seals continue to be prominent, mostly in artistic works such as paintings and calligraphy pieces.
We designed this logo to resemble a family’s seal – the signature and symbolic embodiment of the Tao family. The Tao (陶) last name traces back to 4,300 years ago to Emperor Yao, also known as Taotang. His descendants would later branch out to different last names, one of them being the Tao (陶) last name.
There exists different forms of the Chinese character – Tao (陶), as the Chinese language evolved throughout history. For this logo, we have chosen the modern form of the character to reflect the current era of the Tao family.
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Tao (or Dao) signifies "way", "path", "route" or "universe" in Chinese. There are many interpretations of Tao (Dao) such as with the doctrine attached to Taoism where humans and animals should live in balance with the universe.
In the Tagalog/Filipino language, Tao (tah-oh) means human/person and regarded as an individual. It is fitting that the TAO Education Fund's name carries important meaning in supporting young people and students to achieve their full potential.
Trigger Warning: This blog contains references to residential schools and trauma experienced by Indigenous Peoples.
The month of June is National Indigenous History Month - the time of year recognized by Isa Mundo Foundation as the time to celebrate the rich history, traditions, cultures and languages of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. We are proud to have a presence in Coast Salish territories that are shared by the Musqueam, Squamish and Tseil-Waututh Nations (Vancouver) and in the Algonquin, Anishinabek territory (Ottawa).
It is not enough to simply acknowledge the space and land we live, work and play, it is more important to listen to stories of Indigenous Peoples, acknowledge and respect the role of Indigenous Peoples in shaping Canada, learn our true history and work collaboratively and in partnership with Indigenous communities to progress reconciliation and healing in our country.
On May 27th, the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation (Kamloops, BC) announced the discovery of 215 unmarked graves of children who were students of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. And on June 24th, the Cowessess First Nation announced a preliminary finding of 751 unmarked graves at a cemetery near the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.
These heartbreaking discoveries remind us of our country's dark history and how these horrific institutions and assimilation policies were designed to remove cultures, traditions, languages and identity of Indigenous children. As a nation, we have more to learn about our true history and that we can no longer ignore the impact and legacy of residential schools and the injustice towards Indigenous Peoples. We need to listen to Indigenous Peoples on how to move forward, allow healing to happen and begin the long journey to reconciliation.
Isa Mundo will continue to work with local Indigenous community members on how to best support further education of Indigenous history, cultures and knowledge. We will seek guidance on how to partner and collaborate with Indigenous communities moving forward.
We encourage all our members and volunteers to read and review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action as the foundation of our learning journey.
The Indian Residential School Crisis Line can provide support for survivors and those affected by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.
Image design courtesy of b.wyse Coast Salish Art.
Since the COVID pandemic restrictions and lock-downs began March 2020 in Mexico and globally, businesses have struggled and charitable contributions decreased in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas. This is one region where travel restrictions and lack of tourists have had a tremendous impact socially and economically. Pasitos de Luz and Casa Connor adapted its operations and services, patiently awaiting to re-open and provide much needed support to children and youth in the community. It is due to its committed and passionate supporters and friends that the facility and its important programs and services remained intact and now once again, ready to provide the love and care to families and communities.
Isa Mundo members are looking forward to returning to the region to visit Pasitos de Luz @ Casa Connor and re-establish relationships with its staff, volunteers and the wonderful children. We call on all our network and supporters to provide what you are able to this wonderful program and facility.
To learn more about about the re-opening of Pasitos de Luz@Casa Connor and to support and fund its needs and priorities, please go to - Boletín : Working with Love.
In January, a mother of one of Isa Mundo's supporter passed away and we decided to contribute a small education funding in honour and in lieu of flowers and donations. The small token of gratitude was appreciated by our school project in Mexico and there is now interest to expand and continue the funding. We are in discussions to launch a new education fund and assess how to fund raise to ensure there is adequate funding to allocate equally to all our school and education projects.
We will keep you all updated and will formally announce the new education fund when ready.