National Indigenous History Month

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.

Boletín: Working with Love - Pasitos de Luz @ Casa Connor Update

It is with joy and celebration that we share the great news that Pasitos de Luz @ Casa Connor has opened its doors again to staff, volunteers, community members and of course, the children and youth who needs its nurturing, care and services. 

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.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

From:StandUp4HumanRights

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was created as a response to the killing of 69 protesters at a peaceful anti-apartheid demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa in 1960 and has been observed annualy on March 21 since 1966.

Isa Mundo Foundation continues to join all organizations, communities, individuals, businesses and institutions who are committed in supporting equality, in ending all forms of anti-discrimination and fighting for basic human rights for all. We call on each and every one of us to stand up against racial prejudice and zero tolerance on abuse and racism.

Isa Mundo also encourages all our volunteers, members and partners to promote #FightRacism which this year honours “youth standing up against racism,” honours the many young activists who are fighting for equality around the globe and calls on all of us to stand up against racial prejudice and intolerance".

To learn more about the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, visit the UN Observances to Eliminate Racism.

To support and promote the global youth initiative to fight racism, click #FIGHTRacism.

Isa Mundo Plans for 2021!

Boca de Tomatlan Education Project

As we prepare for 2021, we are aware this will be a different year. We could not have predicted what happened in 2020 with the COVID pandemic and the effect it would have globally. We had a few new projects to launch last year, enhance and improve existing ones and various community visits to engage with our local partners. With COVID, travel plans were cancelled, shipping of supplies were halted, fundraising slowed down and we aware that many of our projects will need have a 'reboot' in 2021.

But we were able to divert support locally in our communities and continued to find ways to give back and help out local organizations. We supported innovative outdoor education projects and Food Bank initiatives in Mexico and provided much needed funds for a gift giving celebration in the Philippines to support those most affected by the pandemic. Our local volunteers completed some important projects and we commend them for their commitment and perseverance.

For 2021, we will await when travel restrictions will be lifted, vaccines are rolled out and when it is safe again to return to our projects. We are looking forward to returning to some sort of normalcy and we aware that there will still be challenges this year. We will continue to find ways to fund our partners and encourage our network to do the same.

Please remain safe and healthy.

Successful Maligayang Paslit 2020

Isa Mundo Foundation successfully partnered with Maligayang Paslit 2020 in Bambang Bulacan. We are happy to re-connect with this important annual youth program and event that supports community building and developing young leaders. In the very challenging pandemic year of 2020, this program and celebration of community spirit provided hope and inspiration that people can still come together to lend a hand and ensure that everyone feels they are supported.

Isa Mundo provided much needed financial support to purchase food, medicine and gifts for the less fortunate in the village of Bambang. In any normal year, Maligayang Paslit celebration is one of the biggest events in the region with 1000+ children and family members participating in dance and singing competitions, inspiring speeches from local leaders and feeding as many children and youth as possible. It is the time of year when children are celebrated and youth are encouraged to give back to the community.

We will be continuing to support this event in 2021 and we hope to be in Bambang to celebrate this amazing event. 

Maraming salamat, Maligayang Paslit!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year

The year 2020 has been full of challenges and sacrifices for everyone globally but even more so for those less fortunate in the world. Our focus has always been to support children and youth who need to have access to education, improve the lives of children in child centred facilities and focus on environmental health initiatives. We often work with communities and people who are vulnerable both socially and economically and that any slight change or shift in policy, economy or social issues could have significant effects on their lives. The COVID pandemic has done just that, revealed the already widening social and economic divisions that existed before the crisis began. But communities we work and support have shown incredible resiliency, patience and hope that a better year and future are still on the horizon and believe that better days are ahead.

We have supported local organizations since the lockdown began in March and we managed to keep providing funding to communities in Mexico and Philippines. We realized that organizations we support locally are some of the most committed volunteers and will do all they can to ensure projects remain sustainable despite challenges they faced.

We want to celebrate these heroes who sacrificed time and resources to go beyond their capacity and wish them the very best this holiday season and a healthy and prosperous 2021!

Thank you, Merci, Gracias, Salamat po!

Isa Mundo Foundation

 

** Photo is from the 2021 -13 Moons Halq’eméylem Calendar. Created and designed by Bonny Graham from Sto:lo Nation (Skwah and Snuneymuxw First Nation). To learn more about her work and commitment to preserve and promote the Halq’eméylem languge, visit her website at B.Wyse Coast Salish Art.

Adaptation is Key to Success

We wanted to highlight a great project that our education coordinator in Boca de Tomatlan (Cynthia Leigh) launched in the community. Due to the lack of access to our IMEC and the Boca Education Project facility, Cynthia still wanted to continue contributing to improving access to education for students in Boca.

Cynthia also manages a hotel in the community and offered the rooftop patio as temporary space for students to gather and learn in a safe environment. We are supportive of this project and have committed to provide funds needed to purchase school supplies and other materials for both teachers and students.

We invite our members and funders who have traveled and volunteered in Boca to do the same and divert some of our holiday stocking gifts to a few students in the community. The students have remained committed to learn so let's support them by ensuring they have the space and resources to continue their education. 

To learn more and support this program, please visit the Boca Education Project site.