The Importance of ABORIGINAL
Early Childhood Development
Throughout the years, Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Providers across Canada
have built on the strengths of the diverse Aboriginal cultures and
contexts to develop programs that support Aboriginal children, families
and communities.
As the richness of knowledge and experience developed, so
did the vision of creating a shared space to celebrate Aboriginal knowledge, skills and resources while respecting cultural protocols for knowledge sharing.
In 2008 the South Vancouver Island Success By 6 ® council
of partners made it possible to hire a full-time Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Coordinator.
The primary function of this position has been to assist with
the development of an Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Network for south Vancouver Island. The purpose of this network is to be defined by the communities it represents.
The role of the Aboriginal coordinator has facilitated: training workshops for staff and parents, information and referral services, Aboriginal representation at various early childhood coalition groups, funding supports and advocacy.
This network consists of:
As the richness of knowledge and experience developed, so
did the vision of creating a shared space to celebrate Aboriginal knowledge, skills and resources while respecting cultural protocols for knowledge sharing.
In 2008 the South Vancouver Island Success By 6 ® council
of partners made it possible to hire a full-time Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Coordinator.
The primary function of this position has been to assist with
the development of an Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Network for south Vancouver Island. The purpose of this network is to be defined by the communities it represents.
The role of the Aboriginal coordinator has facilitated: training workshops for staff and parents, information and referral services, Aboriginal representation at various early childhood coalition groups, funding supports and advocacy.
This network consists of:
- The nine First Nations communities in the Capital Regional District: Pauquachin, Tseycum, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Scia’New, T’sou-ke First Nation Esquimalt, Songhees, Pacheedaht
- Urban Aboriginal representation
- Métis representation
- First Nations Education Steering Committee
- Speech and language pathologists
- School districts
First Nations communities
for various stages of childhood
The intent of this network is to support, promote and enhance Aboriginal
early learning initiatives in various communities throughout south Vancouver
Island.
Our network supports the concept of the ‘whole child’, recognizing that it takes many perspectives to define what’s in the best interests of children. It is understood that children are at the centre of an Aboriginal belief system that values the continuity of life through a scared relationship to the land, community and future generations. The ultimate goal of this network is to bring communities together around a common vision for Aboriginal early learning. In the future, we hope to work more closely with our local school districts and other Early Childhood Development coalition groups to ensure that we are able to achieve our vision.
Our network supports the concept of the ‘whole child’, recognizing that it takes many perspectives to define what’s in the best interests of children. It is understood that children are at the centre of an Aboriginal belief system that values the continuity of life through a scared relationship to the land, community and future generations. The ultimate goal of this network is to bring communities together around a common vision for Aboriginal early learning. In the future, we hope to work more closely with our local school districts and other Early Childhood Development coalition groups to ensure that we are able to achieve our vision.
- The Latest Resources for Parents
- The following websites may assist you as a parent or caregiver in receiving information on local resources, early child development (ages 0-6), health resources and child care in our community.
- Child, Youth and Family Health
- Child Care Resource and Referral
- Invest In Kids
- Partnership in Learning & Advocacy
