National Child Day was celebrated on November 20, 2019 throughout Canada and in Assiniboia. National Child Day originated from an international appeal to recognize children’s rights.The 1959 signing of the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the approval of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989 assisted in creating the concept of National Child Day in Canada. The year 2019 also marked the 30th anniversary when the UN convention protecting children’s rights was authorized in the late 1980s.
Assiniboia Mayor Bob Himbeault signed the Town of Assiniboia Proclamation in support of the district’s children. Jill Zahariuk representing the Early Childhood Coalition came for the signing on Wednesday, along with Stephanie VanDeSype of Assiniboia Recreation and Community Wellness. The mayoral proclamation took place at the Assiniboia Town Hall on November 20 at 3 p.m.
The proclamation further recognized Canada’s commitment to healthy families. And Assiniboia’s Early Childhood Coalition acknowledged children as important members of Assiniboia’s community in the document signed by the mayor on November 20.
There are many agencies in the community who are dedicated to advancing the lives of children in the Town of Assiniboia and region, such as the Assiniboia Family Centre, Fresh Start and the Town of Assiniboia Recreation and Community Wellness department. On National Child Day, all three of these groups united to organize local events in celebration of children.
The busy Wednesday began at 10:30 a.m. with Preschool Storytime at the Assiniboia and District Public Library. From 1-3 p.m. there was Open Play at the Assiniboia Family Centre on Fourth Avenue. At 3 p.m. children from the Assiniboia Family Centre joined Mayor Bob Himbeault as he signed the proclamation at the Assiniboia Town Hall. After the proclamation, a free Glow Skating Party brought skaters of all ages together at the Assiniboia Civic Centre Arena from 3:30-4:45 p.m.
Also, Fresh Start sold doughnuts with blue icing for $2 in the Shurniak Art Gallery to raise money for local children in need of winter clothing on behalf of the Assiniboia Early Childhood Coalition and in honour of National Child Day.
