This is our 6th year in organizing fundraising events through movement, to support the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, Indian Residential School Survivor's Society and Orange Shirt Society. This year, our beneficiaries for our 6th Annual Every Child Matters Remembrance Run/Walk/Move 5k, are Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and the Orange Shirt Society.

We hold space for the 215 Indigenous babies unearthed in May 2021, and thousands more found since. For all the Indigenous children, who were taken and forced into Boarding and Residential schools. We hold space for the families, who endured violence, racism and feeling lesser than when the church and government officials came for their children.

We hold space for the survivors, who are still here today. We hold space for their families. We hold space and send our prayers to those experience trauma, abuse, neglect, and sexual violence at the hands of the Church and officials.

For the hundreds of children who ran for their life, for their culture, some who made it back to their families, some who were found and brought back to the schools, and to those who remain unknown if they made their journey, prayers up - tobacco down.

In remembrance, we honor their lives and their families. And today, with our feet, and the miles we may run, bike or walk, we will finish their journey home.

Holding space and wearing orange, is just a step into a long marathon of justice, healing, and accountability. Thank you to everyone who joins us every year.

- Rising Hearts

T-Shirt Campaign:

For this t-shirt campaign, all profits, which range from $8 to $10, are directly donated to the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABSHC). Our goal is to hit 150 sold, which could be a donation that ranges from $1,300 to $1,450+. And we will keep it going continuously, because you can wear orange any day of the year. You can be proactive in your learning. And keep visibility on the fights for healing and justice that is continuing.

First batch ends on August 16th (next batch goes for another 6 days, and repeats), which means, you will receive your shirt by September 3rd. Earlier you order, you should receive in time by Sept. 30th.

FRONT OF SHIRT:

Our Every Child Matters logo was created back in 2021 by our friend, Vernan Kee (Din?, founder of Rez Pups Rescue)

BACK OF SHIRT:

Abigail Echo-Hawk wrote this poem that brings out the truth of what many Indigenous families, descendants and communities feel, the loss of children, loss of generations, and the trauma and healing that still is present. We appreciate her support in allowing us to center these words on the back of the shirt. Wopila tanka, many thanks, Abigail.

How Else you Can Support:

1.) Sign up for our 6th Annual Every Child Matters Remembrance Run/Walk/Move 5k

https://events.elitefeats.com/26everychildmatters

2.) Donate $15 to receive a screener link of REMAINING NATIVE feature documentary

A documentary told from the perspective of Ku Stevens, a 17-year-old Native American runner, struggling to navigate his dream of becoming a collegiate athlete as the memory of his great-grandfather's escape from an Indian boarding school begins to connect past, present, and future.

Link above for 6th Annual Remembrance Run 5k

3.) Want merch you can run in for Every Child Matters / Orange Shirt Day?

Visit www.risinghearts.org/shop-heartwork

4.) Check out our August Blog for more information shared about Every Child Matters and more posts to come in September.

www.risinghearts.org/blog