Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 viral hip-hop dance duo Funkanometry, along with countless other people across the globe, will be donning pink shirts for a good cause on Pink Shirt Day, Feb. 28.
Pink Shirt Day gets its name from a group of Nova Scotia students who wore pink shirts to school in support of another student who experienced homophobic bullying after wearing a pink shirt on the first day of school.
One way schools and organizations across the country will celebrate the day to take a stand against bullying is by tuning into the Pink Shirt Day Canada National Broadcast Show, for which Funkanometry along with Maggie Mac Neil, a Canadian Olympic Champion Swimmer, have been chosen as the featured special guests.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e just a fantastic dance duo, really engaging,B次元官网网址� said Andy Telfer, executive director of WITS Programs Foundation, on Funkanometry.
Duo members Jacksun Fryer of Nanaimo and Carlow Rush of Duncan, ages 19 and 20, were scouted for NBCB次元官网网址檚 World of Dance in 2019 after gaining recognition for their dance performances and a significant following on social media. TheyB次元官网网址檝e since been scouted for AmericaB次元官网网址檚 Got Talent in 2022, and their viral dance video to StayinB次元官网网址� Alive by the Bee Gees has now garnered over 60 million views.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great match in the fact that theyB次元官网网址檙e two young people. TheyB次元官网网址檙e from Vancouver Island, and what they do makes you smile, itB次元官网网址檚 very positive. And our message on Pink Shirt Day is to empower kids to do positive things, so itB次元官网网址檚 a great match,B次元官网网址� Telfer said.
According to recent statistics, one in five kids is affected by bullying. Pink Shirt Day aims to generate awareness as well as raise funds to support programs that foster childrenB次元官网网址檚 healthy self-esteem.
Pink Shirt DayB次元官网网址檚 national broadcast is designed just for schools and showcases students talking about their kindness projects, youth and award-winning authors and an open question period.
The artist of this yearB次元官网网址檚 pink shirt design, Corey Bulpitt from the Haida Na7ikun-Raven Clan, will also be on the show.
His Haida-style design, showing two gesturing hands and a traditional Haida human face, will be donned on the pink shirts for sale, which remain a symbolic stance against bullying. The design evokes a friendly greeting used throughout Coast Salish communities to illustrate unity, inclusivity and diversity of all people.
Seabacola Beaton, the young co-author of the graphic novel, AndyB次元官网网址檚 Tribal Canoe Journey, will also be interviewed on the broadcast. The book centres on a multi-person canoe journey on the South Coast and contains a positive message about teamwork.
Pink Shirt Day has grown since its start in 2007, with over 110 countries participating in the event in 2022. Telfer said participation in schools with the national broadcast has also grown and this year, heB次元官网网址檚 seeing a lot of enthusiasm.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e already set a record for the most schools viewing at 25. The previous record was 20, and there are still two weeks to go; thatB次元官网网址檚 when most people actually register. IB次元官网网址檝e always wanted to hit the 50 school mark, but weB次元官网网址檒l probably get somewhere between 25 and 50. We think itB次元官网网址檚 our best show ever. And weB次元官网网址檙e really excited to bring it to kids across the country.B次元官网网址�
