Component 1: Culture and Language
Head Start programs provide children with a positive sense of themselves as First Nations children and build on their knowledge of their First Nations languages and experience of culture in their communities.
Guidelines for Implementation
- Encourage thoughtfulness and reflection about how to ensure this is a comfortable place for First Nations people to be who they are
- Provide opportunities for children and families to enhance their knowledge of culture and language
- Provide opportunities for Elders and cultural resource people to participate
- Model First Nations values and beliefs in all aspects of the program
- Apply First Nations cultural values and beliefs to all aspects of daily programming, program governance and administration
Implementation Ideas and Examples
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- Blessing Ceremony
- Building a Canoe
- Culturally Appropriate Activity Boxes
- FirstVoices Kids Language Learning Program
- Grandmas, Babies and Immersion [832 KB]
- Iroquois Thanksgiving Address
- Keeping The Circle Strong [564 KB]
- Kitwanga Song and Dance
- Ktunaxa Head Start Fair [364 KB]
- Language Masters
- Learning on the Land [336 KB]
- Making a Camping Centre
- Making Traditional Regalia
- Mini Readers
- Native Art Sewing Cards
- Owl Rock Family Camp
- Recommended Aboriginal Books [248 KB]
- Telling Our Stories
- TPR Language Teaching [320 KB]
- Traditional Foods
- Vocabulary Key Rings
- Weaving
- Wrap the Elders Around the Children