Over
300 attendees celebrated the widespread adoption of early childhood development
programs in First Nations communities
Early childhood learning is “prevention in the purest form, in terms of health and wellness," as the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) CEO Richard Jock put it. Jock acknowledged early childhood educators from First Nations communities across BC who connect children from birth to age six to language and culture. “This important foundation," Jock articulated, “helps to prevent health and wellness issues down the road".
The Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve (AHSOR) 25-year anniversary gala was an emotional night, bringing together over 300 attendees to celebrate the impact and legacy of the program. The 69 original communities that launched their programs in 1999 were honoured with a plaque, lovingly referred to as the “OG programs" by the FNHA's manager for healthy children and youth, Denise Lacerte.
“Head Start programs across the province nurture future leaders while supporting families and communities," said Lacerte. “Parents don't have to pay for their children to have access to land-based learning or a hot lunch.
“There's nothing that brings me more pride than being the mother of a Head Start graduate," she added, referring to her adult daughter, also on hand to celebrate the occasion.
Both Lacerte and Jock spoke about the “ripple effect" of wellness that Head Start programs create across the 150 plus First Nations communities the FNHA has funded for early childhood development. The growth of the program has accelerated particularly over the past half decade, going from 122 communities funded in 2018, to 151 in 2024.
“The goal is to have one hundred percent of First Nations communities in BC funded," declared Jock. “The FNHA is committed to working with provincial and federal partners in making this happen."
As the Head Start program is rooted in language and culture, the 300 plus attendees for the November 2024 celebration were wrapped in love by the Sasquatch dance group. A highlight of the night was the release of a special AHSOR legacy video featuring four First Nations Head Start programs from across BC, bring many to tears as the film looks back at a quarter century of the program in BC.
