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Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve Program Sharing Circle Stories

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In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve Program in 2008, six First Nations communities were chosen to describe their program in their own words. Communities were chosen based on how they deliver the six components of the Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve Program - culture and language, education, health, nutrition, social support and parental involvement. The Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve programs within these communities are an example of how Health Canada programs work together to support children and families on reserve.

Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Quebec

This First Nations community in the heart of Algonquin territory demonstrates how culture and language is passed on to the children of the community.

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• Video Gallery

The six short stories begin with an overview of the Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve Program 10th anniversary celebration in Winnipeg Manitoba followed by five videos filmed on reserves across Canada highlighting the program's six integrated components.

Videos

• Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Akwesasne, Ontario
• Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Quebec
• Indian Brook, Nova Scotia
• North Battleford, Saskatchewan
• Seabird Island, British Columbia

For further information on the program, visit the Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve page.

Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Quebec - Transcript

(Spoken in Algonquin language - "Kwey... Anishinabeg")

Welcome to Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.

Christina Commonda
Assistant Director of Education - Kitigan Zibi First Nation

The Head Start Program is one of the 15 programs that we manage in the community all throughout the year.

Of the 6 components that we follow under the Head Start Program, language and culture is utmost importance for us, so we integrate it on a daily basis.

[Child playing]

Valerie Decontie
Educator/Coordinator Odekan Head Start Centre

Children should be learning about their culture and language at an early age because that's when their mind is open to grasp all the language and then they'll remember as they get older that they were taught their native language and their culture and they'll always go back to it... when they go out in the world they'll know where they come from and who they are.

Mariette Buckshot
Language and Culture Teacher

I teach the Algonquin language to the students here, the three year olds in the mornings... I speak to them in Algonquin, I do circle time with them in Algonquin and I do the activities also in Algonquin... English is included so they have an understanding of what I do with them but they're learning Algonquin at the same time.

I teach them simple commands like "Run" (Algonquin words here)... meaning "sit down" (Algonquin words)... "go brush your teeth'"... and I use my hands, 'cause when they see my hands and they hear the language, they understand... they learn... they're learning... that makes me so proud.

(Sound-up here of teacher and student doing words)

Christina Commonda

The children really get a sense and a feel of what their culture is through hands-on and practical experience.

One of the activities that we might do for example would be drumming, where we actually bring a drum group within the centre.

Chief Gilbert Whiteduck
Chief Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation

They're learning who they are, they're learning who they are as Anishinabeg, and that's a development of spirit and that's a development of values that they will carry with them the rest of their lives... they may not be understanding that this has taken place now, but they will have those... you know, building blocks for later on.

[Children colouring]

Valerie Decontie

In the Fall it's moose season as well so the... some elder would come in and show us how to call a moose or... we'd have moose meat to eat or we'd have some soup...

Christina Commonda

The parents are happy because they didn't have the opportunity to learn it at home and this is a wonderful way to introduce something that's in a cozy environment and it's non-threatening and there's no right or wrong answers and it's an everyday thing... because culture and language should be an everyday experience.

[Children playing]

Chief Gilbert Whiteduck

What's going on here in the program has a direct impact on the future development of these children, and also on the development of what's going on in the families... because the children are bringing home what they've learned... and I believe parents are getting excited. Parents are also feeling supported through the program 'cause they have caring staff, you know really taking care of these children, bringing them very important teachings and dialoging with them on a regular basis... so some real real positive elements for the community... and I think the Elders in particular that I've spoken to have come to recognize that this kind of program when they do drop in or when they hear about it, they're very excited and they're just saying "it's a great thing... I wish these kind of things would have been there years ago".

Mariette Buckshot

My wish, my goal is to have the Algonquin language live and survive within our nation.