Aboriginal Head Start

The Public Health Agency of Canada, Alberta/Northwest Territories Region's Aboriginal Head Start (AHS) is a national early intervention strategy that addresses the needs of Aboriginal pre-school children and their families living in urban centres and in northern communities. It strives to instill a sense of pride and a desire to learn, provide parenting skills, foster emotional and social development, increase confidence, and improve family relationships. This program is intended to encourage the development of projects that are comprised of the following program components: culture and language, education, health promotion, nutrition, social support and parental involvement. The Aboriginal Head Start class room endeavors to be culturally appropriate in curriculum and atmosphere. Studies show that early childhood education programs such as Head Start better equip children to learn while fostering good health, child development, and support to parents in their role as caregivers.

In 1995, the Government of Canada established Aboriginal Head Start to help enhance child development and school readiness of Indian, Métis and Inuit children living in urban centres and large northern communities.

Mandate

The mandate of Aboriginal Head Start is to:

• Foster the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical growth of the child.
• Foster a desire in the child for life long learning.
• Support parents and guardians as the prime teachers and caregivers of their children, making sure parents/caregivers play a key role in the planning, development, operation and evaluation of the program.
• Recognize and support extended families in teaching and caring for children.
• Involve the local Aboriginal community is involved in the planning, development, operation and evaluation of the program.
• Ensure that the program works with and is supported by other community programs and services.
• Ensure that human and financial resources are used in the best way possible to produce positive outcomes and experiences for Aboriginal children, parents, families and communities.

Project Features

Each project focuses on preschool children and includes the following components:

• Culture and language
• Education
• Health promotion
• Nutrition
• Social support programs
• Parental involvement

Statement of Principles

The Public Health Agency of Canada supports Indian, Métis and Inuit communities in their recognition of children as the nation's most valuable resource. On that premise, the Aboriginal Head Start Program sets out to provide comprehensive experiences for Indian, Métis and Inuit children and their families. It is based on caring, creativity and pride flowing from the knowledge of traditional beliefs, within a holistic and safe environment.

For more information please contact:

Alberta/Northwest Territories Regional Office at:
Healthy Children and Youth
Public Health Agency of Canada
#620 - 220 4 Avenue S.E.
Calgary AB T2G 4X3
Tel.(403) 292-6714
Fax (403) 292-6696
email: ab_nwt@phac-aspc.gc.ca

• National Aboriginal Head Start Program
• Aboriginal Head Start Program for On-Reserve First Nations