A Circle of Wellness March 2005

Changes may not be happening fast enough to address our collective frustrations or satisfy our impatience, but significant, healthy changes are being felt in our communities.

In fact, a lot has happened in the past ten years. Just ask the workers and supporters of Aboriginal Head Start - celebrating the tenth anniversary this year, of giving pre-schoolers and their families, well . . . a 'head start'.

In the words of Audrey Waite, Co-ordinator Comox Valley Aboriginal Head Start program, " There's been a tremendous amount of benefits to children and families. We hear all the time from the families, how Aboriginal Head Start has impacted their lives and how their children are so prepared for kindergarten. The kindergarten teachers tell us the same thing." Audrey certainly knows. She has been involved with AHS since 1995 when she participated in its' planning stages in Prince George.

The impact of Head Start on Aboriginal communities in BC also can be illustrated by the numbers. For example, Audrey Waite explains there have been 3,900 children a year, for most of the ten years. Multiply that by the number of parents, extended family members, teachers and others, and you've got something that plays a significant beneficial role.

Parents are the leaders in early childhood education, but success comes from working with elders, educators, healers, and support workers both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. Many of the people who have helped make a big difference in the lives of Aboriginal families, gathered in Vancouver, BC last week (the week of March 15th, 2005)for an early childhood development conference.

Supporting this Circle of Wellness

• Aboriginal Head Start
• The Community Action Program for Children
• The Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program
• The Public Healthy Agency of Canada
• The Ministry of Children and Family Development: Early Childhood Development

Welcome to our territories

Squamish Nation hereditary chief Xálek' Sekyú Siyám (Ian Campbell) greeted the hundreds of participants, with a traditional welcome song and words of encouragement. He offered an infusion of culture as he talked about how young people need to be encouraged to return to regalia and the land. "Adapt not Assimilate", is what we must do, he said. As a child Campbell was immersed in Coast Salish history and culture through our Native languages. Today he participates in mainstream society but also shares the richness of his heritage through language, ceremonies, song and dance, mythology, traditional games, history, land and resources, and Coast Salish art.

Warrior qualities

• Develop their gifts to serve their "village"
• Fight to fulfill a mission
• Lead by example
• Honor the past by building a future

"We dont get what we deserve in life, we get what we settle for in life." Bringing philosophy, storytelling and motivation was keynote speaker D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas of Native Discovery, an Odawa Indian from Michigan. He credits traditional warrior concepts and wisdom for his inspiration that 'you be the very best you can be'.

He has plenty of advice for parents to teach their children "not just to survive but to succeed . . . show them you love them, dont just tell them . . . family needs your physical presence . . . if they’re not getting it from the right source -you, then they will get it from the wrong source".

Vanas believes there is a real battle going on for our kids - such as gangs. Children are our most precious resource, we must "invest in them today". The investment he calls for is unconditional love, which includes being there for them when they need you, "if we send them out into the world without it they become angry, frustrated, scared to death and confused".

At a dinner to celebrate AHS, Sophie Staley, the Acting Regional Director, Public Health Agency of Canada, BC/Yukon Region was quick to give credit where credit is due, "Aboriginal people did this for themselves and their children."

There are twelve Aboriginal Head Start sites in British Columbia, and AHSABC President, Janice Silver says, "there are plans for expansion to accomodate the growing need", for this Circle of Wellness - helping Aboriginal communities help parents to help their children.