Bear Witness Day
2025-05-10 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-10 08:00 - 17:00, 2027-05-10 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Ontario
May 10 is Spirit Bear’s birthday and an important date in the history of Jordan’s Principle at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. The Tribunal’s first non-compliance order called for Canada to fully implement Jordan’s Principle by May 10, 2016. Unfortunately, it took several more years and many non-compliance orders (September 2016, May 2017, November 2017) against Canada before any real progress was made.

Jordan’s Principle (www.jordansprinciple.ca) is a child first principle and legal rule named in memory of Jordan River Anderson. It ensures First Nations children receive the services and supports they need when they need them.

Show your support and “Bear Witness” to ensure Jordan’s Principle is fully implemented. Here are some things you can do at home, or within your organization:

Step One: Education

Start by reading Spirit Bear and Children Make History for free so you can learn more about Spirit Bear and Jordan’s Principle! Take part in watching the film, Spirit Bear and Children Make History! It will be available to watch on the link here from May 1 – May 11, 2022! Save the link and come back to watch the film on Vimeo on May 1, 2022!Learn about the importance of Jordan’s Principle by reading Spirit Bear’s Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to ActionWatch the documentary Jordan River Anderson, The Messenger to learn more about Jordan River Anderson and Jordan’s Principle. Available to watch for free through the National Film Board!

Step Two: Spread Awareness

Spread the word and post photos on social media using the hashtags #JordansPrinciple and #BearWitnessDay and tag us on Twitter at @SpiritBearand @CaringSociety, on Instagram through @SpiritBearandFriends, and follow and like our page on Facebook!Host an online teddy bear tea party or bear birthday party to honour Jordan River Anderson and to learn about Jordan’s Principle.Reconciliation is all of us! Read this information sheet for ways you can help make a difference.Hang out with your bears or favourite stuffed animal at home! Ask loved ones in your home to participate too! You can let your neighbours know that you are participating in Bear Witness Day by placing your teddy bear or a drawing of a bear in the window.

Step Three: Take Action

Reach out to provincial and territorial governments to make Spirit Bear Day a recognized holiday in every province and territory! So far, the province of Manitoba is the only province that has began the process of enacting Spirit Bear Day as a recognized holiday on May 10! Please click here to learn more about the Act in Manitoba for how you can take part in making this day recognized in all provinces and territories! Create your own #SpiritBearPlan and write to your local and federal governments! First Nations children and families living on reserves and in the Territories receive public services funded by the federal government. Since confederation, these services have fallen significantly short of what other Canadians receive. This injustice needs to end and Spirit Bear’s Plan will do just that! Here is his plan, so that you and your community can fully implement it too!

As we look at past year’s Bear Witness Day, feel free to click on this link to hear Senator Brian Francis make a statement on Bear Witness Day 2019, honouring Jordan River Anderson and expressing support for Jordan’s Principle.
