National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

 

Isa Mundo Foundation acknowledges and supports Canada's first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTC) that occurred on September 30th. The NDTC was announced in June 2021 as part of the Government of Canada's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action #80: We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.  

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, understanding and accepting 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 contribute and promote the annual Orange Shirt Day, visit the Orange Shirt Society.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

On August 9th each year, the world celebrates and promotes the cultures, languages and contributions of Indigenous peoples to improve our environment and society.

Indigenous Peoples reside in some of the most diverse ecosystems, landscapes and communities globally. But many remain marginalized, oppressed, face human rights abuse and lack basic nutrition, housing and education. In our travels and doing international projects, we have seen some of the poorest communities in the world along with inadequate conditions Indigenous Peoples endure.  Despite their challenges, community members remain passionate to preserve their cultures and traditional knowledge and ensure a healthy future for their children. We continue to support projects in Indigenous communities worldwide and we invite everyone to join us.

To learn more about this year's theme, visit the United Nations website at the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. 

TAO Education Fund

We are excited to formally announce a new Isa Mundo Foundation education funding - the TAO Education Fund. Inspired by a small donation we completed in January 2021, we have had interests in expanding and continuing this support to our existing schools and education centres. The TAO Education Fund (TEF) will provide small scholarships to deserving students who show exemplary dedication to education and school work. It would also provide much needed financial support to students who may not have necessary funds to purchase school materials, uniforms and food. 

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.

 

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.

Potential Launch of a New Education Fund

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.

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.