As a boy, Bob Whitelaw grew up near a First Nation reservation in southern Ontario and had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the community’s culture and traditions. He recalls with fondness many of the adventures he shared with his childhood friends.
“Once you’ve become a friend with someone from the First Nations, you have a friend for life,” said Bob.
As an adult, Bob believes that there have been many historical injustices and that as a country, the First Nation people of Canada haven’t always been treated fairly. As a result, Bob has become a champion for change with the Strength & Spirit campaign. To date, he has given $200,000 for building capacity in First Nation communities.
“I have a rewarding and comfortable life. So I want to do something that will make a true difference,” said Bob.
In 2013, Bob travelled to Moose Cree First Nation to take part in the grand opening of the first Red Cross satellite office in a First Nation community in Ontario.
“It was a very rewarding experience to see first-hand how my investment has helped the people of Moose Cree. I met with the Chief and it became very clear to me how the partnership between the Red Cross and Moose Cree First Nation will result in a better quality of life for the residents,” said Bob.
Celebrating the grand opening of the Red Cross satellite office in Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation are (left to right) Bob Whitelaw, his wife Rosalie Tennison, Chief Tom Bressette and Conrad Sauvé, Secretary General and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross.
One of Bob’s fondest memories from the trip was meeting a young man who belonged to the community’s drum circle. Although he hadn’t always made good choices as a youth, joining the drum circle had instilled pride and honour in the young man.
There is an incredible sense of community spirit amongst the people of Moose Cree First Nation. That, along with the programs offered by the Red Cross, will result in exciting changes for the community, ultimately leading to improved health and wellness.
“A Band-Aid won’t fix the issues and a solution won’t be found overnight,” said Bob. “But there are things that can be done to improve life for First Nation communities, and supporting the Red Cross was a way for me to be a part of making that happen.”
This year, as part of Toronto’s art event Scotiabank Nuit Blanche held on October 4, the Canadian Red Cross is presenting #RedCrossNuit Wisdom of the North, a collection of images by Canadian photographer and Red Cross volunteer Johan Hallberg-Campbell. Johan has volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross for the past few years and has travelled to First Nation communities to help photograph disaster response and highlights from Red Cross partnerships with the communities, including the opening of the Red Cross satellite office in Moose Cree First Nation.
Learn more at redcross.ca/strengthandspirit
See a recent blog on #RedCrossNuit Wisdom of the North, a collection of images by Canadian photographer and Red Cross volunteer Johan Hallberg-Campbell.