By Rosalind Russell – Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, formerly known as Whitefish Lake First Nation, has launched a major $1.3 million, three-year early childhood development program, with federal funding from Employment and Social Development Canada.
The Government of Canada funding is part of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care – Quality Improvement Project.
The project will engage the youngest Debendaagziwaad (Those Who Belong), from birth to six years of age, to learn our Anishnawbek culture, laws and traditions (including language) from elders and traditional knowledge keepers, as part of their early childhood development.
“In our traditions, “says Gimaa (Chief) Craig Nootchtai, “every child born is a gift from the Creator and every child has a unique set of skills and competencies here to realize through their life. We understand that each child is born with a unique set of gifts and education; from its Latin root means ‘to draw forth what is already within the person.’”
“The Atikameksheng Anishnawbek peoples know what is best for their children, and this program ensures that they will be cared for in a way that honours their culture and traditions.”, said Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “This investment supports their inspiring vision of a better future for their youth and their community.”
Integrating traditional Anishnawbek ways of living, laws and language throughout the educational curriculum from birth to young adulthood will help to ensure the community will remain vibrant and oriented towards the best possible conditions of well-being for everyone.
The project is unique in that the curriculum for early childhood development is also oriented towards understanding of human nature and well-being.
That is a balance of mental, spiritual, physical and emotional well-being.
These are traditional Medicine Wheel teachings common to many First Nations across Canada.
Photo: Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation
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