Mission and Mandate
The Aboriginal Head Start Program will provide comprehensive experiences for First Nations children, 0–6 years old, and their families. The program will be based on caring, creativity and pride that flows from the knowledge of traditional community beliefs, within a holistic and safe environment.
The primary goal of this initiative is to demonstrate that locally-controlled and designed early intervention strategies can provide First Nations children with a positive sense of themselves, a desire for learning, and opportunities to develop fully and successfully.
Guiding Principles
Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve will:
- Support the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical growth of each First Nations child;
- Support and encourage each First Nations child to enjoy life-long learning;
- Support parents and guardians as the primary teachers and caregivers of their children;
- Encourage parents to play a major part in planning, developing and evaluating the project;
- Recognize and support the role of the extended family in teaching for and caring for the children;
- Include the broader First Nations community as part of the project through all stages of planning, evaluation and growth;
- Ensure that the project works with and is supported by other First Nations community programs and services; and
- Ensure that resources are used in the best way possible to produce measurable and positive outcomes for First Nations children, and their parents, families and communities.
Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve Principles and Guidelines, Health Canada, 1998.