Anishinabek-led charity host a magical day for youth
By Rick Garrick
THUNDER BAY—A large group of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (BZA) community members joined in the fun at the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation 2nd Annual Dare to Dream Day on April 28 in Thunder Bay.
“We brought a group of 75 — everybody came by private vehicle because everybody was up here for the [All-Native Goodwill Hockey Tournament] already, so we kind of tied in everything together,” says Lorraine Cook, a BZA citizen and member of the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation board of directors. “It’s been awesome — all I can see is smiles, happy kids and lots of smiling faces.”
This year’s Dare to Dream Day was busier than last year’s, with more than 400 tickets sold by the beginning of the three-hour event compared to last year when about 300 tickets were purchased in total. The Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation was established in 2009 as an Anishinabek-led registered charity by Dilico Anishinabek Family Care.
“We’re still selling tickets at the door,” Cook says. “This is an awesome event. I wish more people would come out and bring more kids.”
Penny Lesperance, a BZA citizen who lives in Pays Plat, drove for two hours to bring one young child to the Dare to Dream Day.
“It’s been a great party for the kids,” Lesperance says. “Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves. It’s a fun time and a great fundraiser for a good cause.”
Dare to Dream Day is held to raise funds for children and youth who are seeking bursaries for education, recreation and cultural opportunities. The Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation has a vision of a future where all children have the opportunity to achieve their dreams and grow and develop into healthy community members.
“It’s a really fabulous turnout and it’s a good cause,” says Darcia Borg, executive director of Dilico Anishinabek Family Care. “It’s for the children to really dream big and achieve things they never thought they could. The money that is raised today goes to the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation and there’s different funds that children and families can apply for for the children to, say, have violin lessons [or to] help towards tuition. It really opens up opportunities for them.”
Dare to Dream Day featured a variety of activity stations for the children, including hair, nail, crafts, face painting, photo booth, slime making, cookie decorating and candy buffet tables.
“It’s been good — I had to restock the crowns because lots of [children] came and used them all up,” says Claire Desmoulin, a Pic Mobert citizen and volunteer at the crowns craft table. “It’s pretty crowded and there’s lots of kids dressed up.”
Monica Hemeon, a Red Rock Indian Band citizen who volunteered as one of the Princess Super Hero dress up characters, says the event shows that children can bring people together.
“So you look at all the kids here, they’re all playing and they’re all happy and they’re enjoying each other,” Hemeon says. “It’s an excellent cause and the unity part is really important in Thunder Bay.”
Dare to Dream Day also included songs by Princess Elsa and Princess Belle and a skit by Batman and the Joker.
“It’s a really good place [where] we can inspire children to reach for their dreams and their goals,” says Crystal Davey, a BZA citizen and member of the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation board of directors. “Just like the superheroes and princesses we look up to, we can reach those goals and be whatever we want to be.”