The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework
Child, Youth, and Family Health
The NCCIH recognizes that rebuilding Indigenous health and well-being starts with children and extends to youth, adults, parents, grandparents, families, and communities. Just as our knowledge resources explore First Nations, Inuit and Métis women’s journeys into motherhood, including pregnancy, maternity care, birth, and breastfeeding, we also document the significant role fathers and grandparents play in the development of strong infant attachment and bonding, child rearing, and the transmission of culture and language.
Though challenges continue to disrupt family and child health, most significantly the removal of Indigenous children through child welfares services, the NCCIH supports initiatives that move towards improving child and family health outcomes, such as equitable access to health care, midwifery, and the full endorsement of Jordan’s Principle. In order to detail supportive health practices, we include topics like First Nations, Inuit and Métis traditions around parenting, children’s health rights, traditional foods and nutrition, physical activity, tobacco cessation, vision care, and oral health, to name a few, within our informational resources.
We seek to support and strengthen the health of Elders and the next generation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and to identify strategies for optimal health outcomes, promising culturally-based prevention initiatives, linkages to networks and resources, and ways to close the gaps in health knowledge and data. Our work within the area of child and family health is grounded in the recognition that there are unique First Nations, Inuit and Métis knowledges and worldviews.
ELCC Expert Panel Appointment
Update, June, 2019
The NCCIH is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Margo Greenwood as a member of a new Federal Government Expert Panel on Early Learning and Child Care Data and Research, announced by Employment and Social Development Canada in a press release, June 4, 2019. The panel includes a diverse group of leaders, practitioners, Indigenous representatives and experts in early learning and child care. It is tasked with identifying priority action areas and innovative approaches to inform an early learning and child care data and research strategy that aligns with the work of other government priorities. As an Indigenous scholar of Cree ancestry, the NCCIH’s Academic Leader, and Vice-President of Indigenous Health for the Northern Health Authority (IH:NH), Dr. Greenwood brings more than 30 years of expertise and experience focused on the health and well-being of Indigenous children and families to the panel.
Another news announcement:
The framework is a key step towards “self-determination, reconciliation, and cultural revitalization”
November 2018
Supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and families is one of the pillars of the work at the NCCIH. As such, we are pleased to see the September 17, 2018 release of the federal government’s Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, which sets out a shared vision for providing high-quality, culturally-rooted, language-based, accessible, and affordable early learning and child care programs in Indigenous communities.
This framework is the culmination of an extensive national, regional and community-based engagement process involving government representatives and Indigenous organizations, early childhood educators, leadership, partners, Elders and families from across Canada. The framework is built on the foundation of nine cross-cutting principles:
- 1) Indigenous knowledges, languages and cultures;
- 2) First Nations, Inuit and Métis determination;
- 3) quality programs and services;
- 4) child and family‑centred;
- 5) inclusive;
- 6) flexible and adaptable;
- 7) accessible;
- 8) transparent and accountable; and
- 9) respect, collaboration and partnerships.
Yet, in recognition of the diversity of Indigenous peoples, it also embodies distinct First Nations, Inuit and Métis early learning and child care frameworks, goals and principles. The framework is a key step towards “self-determination, reconciliation, and cultural revitalization”1 for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
Access to high-quality, appropriate and culturally-rooted early learning and child care is a fundamental component in achieving social equity and improving socio-economic outcomes for Inuit in Canada. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami has been proud to provide Inuit-specific guidance to the Framework and looks forward to continued collaboration on ensuring the vision it sets out is realized for Inuit children and families across Canada.2
As stated by Natan Obed, the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK).