News n Updates

    My travel among my Native brothers and sisters throughout the past two years has exposed me to things that ought not to be acceptable in our Canada. Lack of proper housing, contaminated ground water and this lack of education opportunity should stir the conscience of any fair thinking person. To those living in these remote settlements in these dire conditions, hope is non-existent. Despair, particularly among my young brothers and sisters in these regions leads to youth suicide rates that are easily 10 times the national average.

   For the past 8 months, I have received many contributions of brand new and gently used elementary school level text books and general reading materials. In addition, by way of networking, quantities of books, school supplies and art supplies have now been pledged from other urban centers throughout Ontario.

We are very fortunate to have enlisted the help of The Canadian Forces.  They will be looking after the logistics involed in moving this enormous load of books and supplies to remote fly-in communities in Ontario’s north west.  On Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, the Forces have lent us use of the Armories in Georgetown Ontario (located at: 91 Todd Road Georgetown, Ontario, L7G4R8). We will be assembling, sorting and packing all education materials collected at the Georgetown site over those two days between 08:00 and 17:00 hrs. Once that work is finished, the Forces will be adding this cargo to a convoy of heavy vehicles being used that weekend as part of a training operation. These large trucks will transport all our material to Base Borden where the Rangers will accept responsibility to transport these materials to the numerous fly-in only locations throughout the north.

But your help is needed. We need about 4 times as many books as are already collected. We are now in possession of about 40 pallets of elementary level texts. We are seeking brand new and gently used , contemporary books. We need school supplies such as gifts of scribblers, pens and pencils. We would love to be able to supply these children with art supplies (crayons, sketch pads and so on). One donor has provided me with about twenty children’s book bags (back packs). In accepting that contribution, I instantly recognized another problem: which lucky children should receive a bag?

Each of us are fortunate; so very fortunate to live in a society where such needs are no concern for our own kids. I sadly report that since January First, 2011, 15 young persons have committed suicide in north Ontario alone. All of us though are capable of in some small way lighting a candle of hope for these children. In supplying them with these educational materials, won’t we be showing them that there is hope? Showing them that they are part of this much larger family called “Canada”?

   I am asking for your help. Contact your friends and inform them. In that information process, a third benefit occurs. That benefit is awareness. I have had good success begging surplus books from schools and school boards. I am certain that some of you may be in such positions or have such contacts. Others may have access to publishing houses, school supply manufacturers etc.

   Having said that, I can safely say that “mainstream” population are shocked by what they are learning as I travel from school assembly, to teachers groups meetings to sessions with parents of children that have heard my presentations on the “kids that are being left out”.  Our goals from the beginning are (1) to get these books and supplies into needy young hands, (2) to create an awareness among these young people they are part of a much larger family- CANADA and (3) to create an awareness among the mainstream population of these terrible neglects.  Obviously, anything you can do to raise that public awareness will be a huge help in a long-term solution.
 
There is extensive background information on the “LINKS” section of the web site (http://www.thunderbirdrising.com/) that is from highly reputable sources (such as the Canadian Medical Association).  Please look on the web site, please help us today. It is for the children, for the People, for the future....  
                
              ~ Lloyd Fournier

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