Coast Salish Territory - Together with partners, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is a successful recipient of the LEGO Foundation Build a World of Play Challenge, a global initiative that funds bold, innovative and impactful solutions focused on early childhood. Our partnership is a collaborative Indigenous approach that includes the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health in the United States, Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare/The Eru Pōmare Māori Health at University of Otago in New Zealand and the Batchelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary Education in Australia.
Our project, Reclaiming Indigenous Children's Futures through Home-Visiting and Intergenerational Playspaces, is about expanding innovative and culturally centered maternal and child health programs and intergenerational Indigenous designed community playspaces. The intent is to build a world of play for Indigenous children 0-6, and foster wellbeing for their families. The FNHA will work with participating First Nations communities in BC to adapt the Family Spirit® home-visiting program, created by John Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health to meet their needs.
Participating communities will also receive support to design and build nature-based intergenerational play spaces to promote the power of communal play, positive cultural identity for young children and extended family members.
The FNHA will continue to be a health and wellness partner along the journey with participating communities.
We thank the LEGO Foundation and our three Indigenous partners for this opportunity.
Quotes:
Colleen Erickson, FNHA Board of Director Chair
“As our children are our future, it is encouraging to see new investments that will support the health and wellness of our First Nations children, parents and families. By having a strong focus on connection to family, land and play, these projects will bring generations together in our First Nations communities."
Dr. Nadine Caron, FNHA Chair in Cancer and Wellness at UBC
“I am so, so honoured to be part of this amazing network of colleagues as we embark on making this opportunity from LEGO yet another way that FNHA and the Chair works with First Nations communities in BC."
Sonia Isaac-Mann, FNHA V.P. Community Health and Wellness, Programs and Services
“I am excited to work alongside our international Indigenous partners and participating First Nations communities over the next five years through this innovative opportunity. I look forward to partnering on the building of new playspaces and culture based home visiting, with children, parents and future generations at the centre of our work."
For more information on the LEGO ® Build a World of Play Challenge:
The LEGO Foundation Announces Recipients of 900 Million Danish Kroner (US$117 Million) Global Challenge - About Us - LEGO.com
For more information on our partners:
