Indigenous learning program lands more support

Prince George Aboriginal Head Start Programs are among 90 Indigenous early childhood development programs receiving up to $100,000 each to improve wellness through landbased cultural programing.

“The pandemic has made it clear how important getting outside is to our mental, physical and spiritual health,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care.

“This funding will help improve outdoor programming for Indigenous children and support the development of stronger connections to children’s cultural identity and traditions.”

Twelve Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities (AHSUNC) sites (off-reserve) sites and 78 Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve (AHSOR) sites are the first to receive funding to create safe, outdoor early learning and play spaces for children.

Aboriginal Head Start (AHS) programs offer high-quality, culturally based early learning and child care programs that are designed for and with Indigenous families and communities.

These programs aim to help keep Indigenous children connected to their culture and to support Indigenous families in becoming better connected to their community.

AHS offers preventative supports like parent education, encourages family participation and provides referrals to early intervention services, such as counselling and speech therapy.

The Prince George Head Start Program (PGAHS), which began in 1996, is hosted through the Prince George Native Friendship Centre.

The local Head Start program offers a comprehensive program designed to meet the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of Aboriginal preschool children ages three to five living in the urban setting.

“The majority of a child’s brain development happens before the age of six, and that’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to give children access to quality, inclusive early learning experiences,” said Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development.

“This funding will support improvements to land-based programming at Aboriginal Head Start sites and help more Indigenous children build knowledge immersed in their culture and heritage, which includes developing a lifelong appreciation of nature and the outdoors.”

The organizations will receive this funding through a $10-million investment under the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP).