Sts'ailes First Nation recently celebrated the grand opening of a new Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve program (AHSOR) in community. Sts'ailes Chief Paul Chadley praised the good words already being spoken about the program, which is named Aylexw (“to live" in Halq'emeylem) in their community.
“We've known since time immemorial that there's nobody that can take care of our children better than us," he said, and acknowledged that through this program children are going to be raised with culture, health and “most importantly families are going to be involved in that education."
Lenny LaRock, AHSOR supervisor, echoed this sentiment during a tour of the new programs' space, a building designated specially for this program Each room is designed with function and purpose in mind: supporting children with motor skills, providing sensory activities and learning the alphabet, but also baby massage, mental health, nursing and office programming. Each room is designed to allow for private post-natal support for mothers, fathers and entire families…even her own office.
“We want to work programs around anybody in the community who comes in," he said.
As a land-based program, Lenny has plans for providing an outdoor space that enriches a connection to the outdoors. Yet to be developed, the large backyard holds Lenny's vision of cedar play equipment with hills for climbing, a firepit for connection, and plenty of gardening with herbs and vegetables. The Registered Nurse, Johan, will participate in weekly programming as well and aims to include plenty of outdoor walks to support well-being.
Full of laughter and excitement, Lenny joined Snowoyelh Director Anna Charlie in cutting the ribbon. Afterward, Chief Chadley asked Elders to come forward to brush the home with cedar to “make sure it's a safe space for our staff and our children."
Anna spoke of the importance of friend and family involvement in providing education in the “Sts'ailes way" in addition to grade 12, diplomas, and so on. She sees this programming as providing children with “the freedom to discover and be involved" in these ways.
“We are honoured to work in partnership alongside Sts'ailes community as it launches the Head Start Land-Based Program," she said.
Ashley Crey, of the FNHA's Fraser Salish Maternal Child and Family Wellness Team, shared some words on behalf of the regional team. AHSOR advisors like Ashley and her colleague Maggie DeFazio work alongside Fraser Salish communities to share relevant funding opportunities and offer strategic guidance for AHSOR Programming, which aims to strengthen cultural identity and family wellness guided by six values: culture and language, education, health promotion, nutrition, parent and family involvement and social support.
After the opening, the house filled with community members appreciating a meal provided as part of the celebration. A bus brought in a number of Elders who became the center of the family room, asking for the children in attendance to be introduced and enjoying the celebration.
The First Nations Health Authority received AHSOR Child Care Spaces Conversion funding from the Ministry of Education and Child Care (MECC) to advance the shared vision of high quality, culturally grounded early learning and childcare for Indigenous children in BC.
