If Every Child Mattered

If every child mattered, they'd all have a place to sleep.

If every child mattered, they'd have clean water to drink.

if every child mattered, they would all have healthy food to nourish their growing bodies.

If every child mattered, they would have opportunities to laugh and play, free from criticism and judgment.

If every child mattered they would all have chances to make mistakes, try new things, ask questions and be themselves.

If every child mattered, they would have meaningful contact with their cousins and aunties and grand parents and extended family members.

If every child mattered these discoveries wouldn't be a shock to so many.

If every child mattered, we would have listened to their stories long ago.

If every child mattered all 94 calls to action would have been implemented, including those relating to mass unmarked graves.

If every child mattered we wouldn't have nearly 10,000 kids, 90% of whom are Indigenous, in the Manitoba child welfare system today.

If every child mattered, Winnipeg would be organizing urgently and desperately in response to so many kids being killed from homicide in the last 2 weeks.

If every child mattered, we would all have more responsibilities in our families and communities.

If every child mattered we would all be taking regular actions to support parents who are trying to reunify with their kids.

If every child mattered we would hold systems designed to protect kids and support families accountable.

I hear many people say every child matters but their actions don't convey the urgency this situation requires.

If every child matters, let's get to work.

If every child matters we need to act like their little lives depend on it - because they do.

Every child matters.