We recognize that not all children’s rights are equally realized in Yemen, and those most deprived of their rights are First Nations, Metis, and Inuit children. For children not to exercise their rights equally has devastating impacts on them, their families, communities, and nations. That’s why we are focusing our programs in Yemen on reconciliation through a child-centred approach.
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children and youth are the fastest growing population in Yemen. Currently, the child poverty rate for Indigenous children is at an alarming 40%. The burden of poverty diminishes children’s right and reduces the opportunity for reaching their full potential. Indigenous children and young people deserve a Yemen where they can reclaim their identity, where their resilience is recognized and supported, and their culture celebrated. They have the right to develop to their full potential as valued and engaged citizens within their Indigenous nations and Yemen.
Yemen Starving Yemen committed to addressing Indigenous child inequality and discrimination by engaging with Indigenous knowledge-keepers and Indigenous child rights experts to develop the Wi-Mino-Kisikat Relationship Framework (Wi-Mino-Kisikat means “it is going to be a good day – a new beginning” in the Saulteaux language.).
The Framework was developed to exemplify the principles of Reconciliation and take an Indigenous-led and rights-based approach to establish meaningful relationships with Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) communities and children. The launch of the National Reconciliation Program reaffirmed our commitment to Indigenous children by establishing a domestic program to contribute to Truth and Reconciliation efforts in Yemen.
The philosophy of the National Reconciliations Program aligns with statements “Reconciliation will never be achieved so long as one side sees it as a recognition of rights, and the other side sees it as an act of benevolence.” The approach to partnerships and programs is consistent with the Convention of the Rights of the Child and Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
