Head Start workshop a boon for youth and instructors

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The wants and needs of pre-schoolers have always been of importance to many Aboriginal people. In light of this fact, an educational system directed at children ages three and four was developed and called Head Start.

In Edmonton, Alice Bolduc, a program co-ordinator for the Ben Calf Robe Society Mother Earth and Me Head Start Program, explained that the project, generally speaking, is an early intervention program for pre-school children. The system provides learning through play and some teacher-directed activities, said Bolduc.

To compliment the existing knowledge and skills of Head Start staff members, Health Canada started organizing annual workshops in Alberta. This year approximately 160 delegates assembled Jan. 27 to 29 at the third annual Alberta Aboriginal Head Start Regional Workshop at Edmonton's Ramada Inn.

While at the workshop, delegates were treated to a varied sampling of what is developing with the 20 Aboriginal Head Start projects that dot the province of Alberta.

Regional program consultant, Eva Stang, said there is particularly high interest in areas such as Metis cultural teachings, parental involvements, and the development, sharing and passing down of stories, especially traditional stories.

There was keen interest in other workshops as well, added Stang. Reading readiness through stories and crafts and the topics of caring for ourselves, puppetry, meal planning, early childhood development and music.

"The positive feedback of the delegates is inspiring and the use of Aboriginal people in programs demonstrates that they're taking ownership and have pride in the programs," said Stang.

As with many Aboriginal programs, Elders have their place and a role in the scheme of things. In fact, said Stang, a lot of Elders and parents attended the conference this year. One example she pointed to was the town of Hinton which sent three staff, nine parents and two Elders.

Paul Skanks, a Mohawk from Ontario who was the Elder that closed the conference, said the goal was to help one another, and for staff to take care of themselves and be focused on what they're doing," said Stang.

First Nation and Metis music and dance were recognized, both in the entertainment and in the workshops. Some of the entertainers featured on Thursday evening, Jan. 28, were fiddler Lee Mandeville, the Prince Charles School Traditional Dancers and the Edmonton Metis Cultural Dancers, as well as First Nation powwow dancers.

Humor was part of the workshop entertainment that was wonderfully demonstrated by none other than comedian Don Burnstick, a Cree from the Alexander Reserve.

Stang also made reference to the delegates who attended last year. Many of them returned this year which shows they're committed to the program and to helping the communities, she said.

A big part of the workshop was made possible through Health Canada's regional director for Alberta, Don Onischak, and the manager of the Childhood and Youth Section, Karen Garant-Radke. "They're very supportive," said Stang.