Have a Heart Day 2026

WHEREAS Have a Heart Day is a child and youth-led reconciliation event that brings together caring Canadians to help ensure First Nations children have the opportunity to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of who they are; 

AND WHEREAS Have a Heart Day has been celebrated each year on February 14th since 2012 and was created by the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada; 

AND WHEREAS Have a Heart Day is to bring together Canadians to support equity for First Nations children and to end discrimination in services; 

AND WHEREAS participants, including schools and organizations, are encouraged to: 

• Send Valentine's Day cards or letters to the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament.
• Host events or rallies in schools and communities.
• Create "Heart Gardens" to honor residential school survivors and lost children.
• Use the hashtag #HaveAHeartDay on social media. 

THEREFORE, I, Shawn Pankow, Mayor of the Town of Smiths Falls do hereby proclaim February, 14, 2026 as Have a Heart Day in the Town of Smiths Falls.