Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation celebrate 5th Annual Dare to Dream Day

By Rick Garrick

THUNDER BAY — Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation held the 5th Annual Dare to Dream Day for children and families on May 2 at the DaVinci Centre in Thunder Bay.

“The children seem to be most excited about seeing the super heroes and the princesses dressed up,” says Michelle Kellar, children’s mental health manager at Dilico. “The bouncy castle is also a pretty big hit. It’s just nice to see parents have a chance to relax a little bit while their kids enjoy some of these activities.”

Kellar says Dare to Dream Day also featured face painting, an InstaBooth photo booth, floor hockey, balloon swords, bracelet-making, and a candy station.

“It’s really about a barrier-free event open to all of our families, giving children and families a chance to come out, have some fun, see the super heroes and see some of our community partners and giving children something to sort of dream and aspire to,” Kellar says. “It’s important that our children and families have an opportunity to experience events like this that are barrier free — there’s no cost, it’s open to everyone, plenty of food is available, and it’s just a chance to celebrate being a child in our community. Last year, we had about 500 people; we’re expecting about the same this year.”

Kellar adds that Dare to Dream Day is an opportunity to raise funds for the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation, which provides sponsorships and bursaries to children and youth.

“We’re very thankful to our community sponsors who really stepped up to sponsor this event to allow it to be free and allow our children’s foundation to continue to do the good work that they do,” Kellar says.

Dare to Dream Day also featured traditional dance demonstrations, including men’s Traditional Dancing by Gerry Courchene, from Sagkeeng in Manitoba, and Jingle Dress Dancing by Aungelle Wabigwan, from Namaygoosisagagun First Nation in northwestern Ontario.

“It’s important to show the children that it’s possible to reach their dreams and come in the circle to show that everyone’s welcome to come and dance,” says Wabigwan, who began dancing about three years ago. “And to help educate them about the different styles and the teachings of our different regalia. This dance has brought a lot of healing to myself and my family and that’s why I love it so much and love sharing it.”

Wabigwan says there was a “really great” reaction to her Jingle Dress dance performance.

“The kids seemed to love it,” Wabigwan says. “I always notice they love when dancers are dancing really close to them and they seem so entranced and happy to be around us, so I loved it.”

Courchene, who began dancing about five years ago after moving to Thunder Bay, says he was honoured to dance at Dare to Dream Day.

“I’m a school bus driver now and I really enjoyed coming here today to see all these children,” Courchene says. “The theme here is Dare to Dream and I like that because I dreamt that I wanted to be a dancer and I followed my dream, and now I’m a men’s Traditional Dancer. I dance for the people, I dance for the children, I dance for people that can’t and it feels awesome.”

Courchene says the children and families loved his men’s Traditional Dance performance, including a child in a wheelchair.

“I went up to him and I danced around him for a while and he was smiling,” Courchene says. “That’s what I love, I love seeing the smiles of the people that they’re really enjoying what you’re doing.”