Keep Their Fire Going
A number of government departments and ministries are currently involved in supporting Early Childhood Development programming among First Nations, Inuit and Métis children.
The Early Childhood Development Working Group (ECDWG) consists of representation from these departments. The ECDWG wished to showcase communities that have successfully integrated government resources in their Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs, with the objective of sharing communities’ experiences with other communities, partners, and senior government officials.
StrategyThe project’s work involved the following:
- Visit specific locations, and meet with key players (program administrators, educators, Band councilors and administrators, Elders, parents, guardians, etc.) associated with 15 Aboriginal communities across Canada identified by the ECDWG as having exemplary ECD programs.
- Collect information about the success of the ECD programs.
- Collect information about how and why communities developed and implemented their ECD programs.
- Identify how the ECD programs benefited the children, their families and their communities.
- Collect information about key players’ views on the importance of ECD programs and resource integration.
A Spirit Creative representative travelled across Canada and amassed all information and input and prepared the total resource including:
- A written storyline/vignette for each community that captures the essence of why their integrated program was undertaken and what makes it successful. This storyline will serve as the basis for the work in Phase Two of this project.
- Design and layout of a resource containing the communities’ success stories.
- Developed a culturally relevant Name/Tagline for the resource
- A written report including research and recommendations regarding the most appropriate and effective media format for our intended audience(s) – such as video, radio documentary and/or written story – while having regard for community preferences.