Ben Calf Robe Society kicks of Head Start Week

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On May 6, the Ben Calf Robe Society held a celebration to kick off the start of National Aboriginal Head Start Week.

The celebration featured guest speakers, fiddlers and jiggers, powwow dancing, activities for the kids, a bake sale and a balloon release to signify the start of the week.

The Mother Earth and Me Aboriginal Head Start program is for children ages three and four, and it prepares them with pre-kindergarten readiness skills needed to excel in the mainstream education system.

Aboriginal Head Start has been running for 10 years, and is available at 131 sites across Canada. It serves about 4,000 children and their families.

The program includes education in culture and language, school readiness, nutrition, health promotion, social support and parental and family involvement.

"It is the only federally funded program for Aboriginal children from all three groups-First Nation, Inuit, and Metis-in Canada," said TJ Skalski, program manager of the Aboriginal Head Start program with the Ben Calf Robe Society. She is also the Alberta representative for the national Head Start organization.

"Approximately 85 per cent of the program staff are employed through what is called the Public Health Agency of Canada, and are Aboriginal," said Chris Lamontagne, co-executive director of the Ben Calf Robe Society.

Susan Cardinal, elected secretary of the Metis Settlement General Council, talked about what the Aboriginal Head Start program has meant to her son, who was enrolled in it.

"He was ready for school. He was sociable. He knew how to pray. He knew how to listen. He knew how to interact with other children and still have the ability to learn," she said.

"The Head Start program gives a holistic approach to early intervention and improved learning. With the involvement and support of the parents and community, it is no wonder that the programs we have are such great successes," she said.

Metis Nation of Alberta president Audrey Poitras said there are many Metis enrolled in the program across the country.

"We are very excited about the 10-year celebrations. In 10 years a lot of work has been done, a lot of good accomplishments. I know that there is still a lot more to be done, but we are very pleased to support and work with parents, the teachers, the children," she said.

Counsellor Ron Hayter of the City of Edmonton took in the celebration on behalf of the mayor and recognized the importance of the Aboriginal Head Start program.

"I want to say how much I support the work of the Ben Calf Robe Society. What you are doing is helping to develop the most important element in our civilization, the children, because life begins with children. The Head Start program is making a difference in so many lives. From reinforcing traditional Aboriginal values and beliefs, to underlining the importance of education," he said.

Darlene Auger, a program consultant with the Public Health Agency of Canada, talked about the importance of the Aboriginal Head Start program in developing leaders at an early age.

"With strong and healthy children we will have strong and healthy leaders. Leader who can carry our traditions and beliefs proudly for generations to follow. Leaders who will hand down our language to ensure that it is preserved," said Auger.