Senator Brian Francis

Happy Islander Day!
Bonne Journée des Insulaires!

I am deeply saddened by what happened at Kitigan Zibi this morning. Incidents of violent, senseless, death and the loss of two innocent children is especially devastating. My heart is with the family, and I stand with Kitigan Zibi and the broader Anishinābeg Nation at a time of profound grief.

I am devastated by the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, BC. My heart breaks for the victims, the teachers and staff, their families and loved ones, and the entire community enduring this unimaginable loss. Canada is grieving with Tumbler Ridge and keeping everyone in our thoughts and prayers.

🐻 Passez à l’action ! En vue de la prochaine #JourneeOursTemoin, écrivez à votre député(e) pour exiger que le gouvernement du Canada mette pleinement en œuvre le #PrincipeDeJordan et mette fin, une fois pour toutes, à la discrimination envers les enfants des Premières Nations.

🐻 Merci à Jordan et à sa famille pour le legs du #PrincipeDeJordan. Et merci à la Société de soutien à l’enfance et à la famille des Premières Nations pour son engagement indéfectible et son leadership.

@caringsociety.bsky.social

Honorer le #PrincipeDeJordan n’est pas un geste de générosité. C’est une obligation légale. Et elle est en retard depuis trop longtemps.

🐻 En reconnaissant officiellement la #JourneeOursTemoin, le Sénat réaffirme notre responsabilité collective de faire respecter les droits des enfants des Premières Nations et de tenir le gouvernement du Canada responsable de livrer pleinement la promesse du #PrincipeDeJordan.

Au cœur du #PrincipeDeJordan, il y a des enfants avec de vrais besoins, de vrais espoirs et de vrais avenirs, qui ne peuvent plus attendre.

🐻 Encore aujourd’hui, un trop grand nombre d’enfants et de familles des Premières Nations subissent des refus, des retards ou des interruptions de soins essentiels, compromettant leur santé, leur sécurité et leur bien-être.

Après deux décennies de procédures judiciaires, la décision du Canada de poursuivre les litiges contre des enfants des Premières Nations constitue la preuve d’un échec persistant.

🐻 Or, malgré l’obligation légale d’agir immédiatement, le gouvernement fédéral a, à de nombreuses reprises, manqué à son devoir de mettre pleinement en œuvre le #PrincipeDeJordan.

🐻 La #JourneeOursTemoin rend hommage à #JordanRiverAnderson et à sa famille, et appelle à la pleine mise en œuvre du #PrincipeDeJordan — une obligation légale qui vise à garantir que les enfants des Premières Nations aient accès aux services dont ils ont besoin, quand et où ils en ont besoin.

La semaine dernière, le Sénat du Canada a adopté à l’unanimité une motion reconnaissant le 10 mai de chaque année comme la #JourneeOursTemoin. Je suis profondément honoré d’avoir présenté cette motion et reconnaissant du solide appui de mes collègues.

@caringsociety.bsky.social

🐻 Get involved! Ahead of the next #BearWitnessDay, take action by writing to your Member of Parliament to insist that the Government of Canada fully implement #JordansPrinciple and end the discrimination against First Nations Children once and for all.

🐻 Thank you to Jordan and his family for the gift of #JordansPrinciple. & Thank you to the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada for their unwavering advocacy and leadership.

@caringsociety.bsky.social

Honouring #JordansPrinciple is not an act of generosity. It is a legal obligation. And it is long overdue.

🐻 By formally recognizing #BearWitnessDay, the Senate reaffirms our shared responsibility to uphold the rights of First Nations children and to hold the Government of Canada accountable for fully delivering on the promise of #JordansPrinciple.

🐻 Today, too many First Nations children and families still experience denial, delay, or disruption of essential care, putting their health, safety, and wellbeing at risk. At the heart of #JordansPrinciple, there are children with real needs, real hopes, and real futures who cannot wait.

🐻 Yet despite being legally required to act immediately, the federal government has repeatedly failed to fully implement #JordansPrinciple. After two decades of legal battles, Canada’s choice to continue litigating against First Nations children is evidence of continued failure.

🐻 #BearWitnessDay honours #JordanRiverAnderson and his family, and calls for the full implementation of #JordansPrinciple — a legal obligation, named in Jordan’s memory, that exists to ensure First Nations children in Canada can access the services they need, when and where they need them.

Last week, the Senate of Canada - Sénat du Canada unanimously adopted a motion recognizing May 10 of each year as #BearWitnessDay. I am beyond humbled to have introduced this motion and grateful for such strong support from my colleagues. @caringsociety.bsky.social

Wli Nipi Alasutma!
Happy Holidays!
Joyeuses Fêtes!

· Mikwite'Imanej – Let Us Remember

Their service reminds us of the strength diversity brings, inspiring us to build a country that honours and values the contributions of all its people.

Mikwite'Imanej
Lest We Forget
N’oublions jamais

Indigenous veterans, such as the Mi’kmaw from across Mi'kma'ki who enlisted in large numbers during World War I and World War II, made unique contributions that shaped our military legacy.

Today, we pause to honour their courage, dedication, and sacrifices – and acknowledge the systemic inequalities they faced. Their stories are essential to understanding our shared history, although often overlooked in the pages of history.

Every year on November 8, Indigenous Veterans Day is recognized across Canada.

From past wars to modern missions, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people have a long and proud tradition of serving Canada.

Their service reminds us of the strength diversity brings, inspiring us to build a country that honours and values the contributions of all its people.

Mikwite'Imanej
Lest We Forget
N’oublions jamais

Indigenous veterans, such as the Mi’kmaw from across Mi'kma'ki who enlisted in large numbers during World War I and World War II, made unique contributions that shaped our military legacy.

Today, we pause to honour their courage, dedication, and sacrifices – and acknowledge the systemic inequalities they faced. Their stories are essential to understanding our shared history, although often overlooked in the pages of history.