ABORIGINAL HEAD START

Maajiishkatoong Zoong Mnidoowin – Building Strong Spirits

Building Strong Spirits is a free school readiness program. We provide a happy, safe, relaxed learning environment for children with an Aboriginal background aged 2 ½ to 6 years and their families. We embrace development through play, curiosity and creativity.

The program is based on appreciation for the teachings that bind North American Aboriginal people, with a focus on cultural awareness, values, languages, music and craft. It is governed by empowered parents and caregivers who sit on the Parent Council.

The Building Strong Spirits program encompasses the following components:

Culture and Language

• Promotes understanding of, respect for, participation in and responsiveness to the culture and language of Aboriginal children, families and communities.

Education

• Fosters a desire for lifelong learning, focuses on early childhood development, and helps children acquire school readiness skills

Health Promotion

• Supports the family in assuring that children receive regular preventive health care and professional attention to health problems

Nutriition

• Uses a balanced approach to meet children’s nutritional needs by using Aboriginal Food Guides and Canada’s Food Guide

• Respects local traditions and customs

• Encourages parents’ healthy eating habits

Social Support

• Provides opportunities for children to develop social and emotional skills that are consistent with Aboriginal core values.

Parental and Family Involvement

• Acknowledges parents and guardians as the primary teachers and caregivers of children

• Ensures that parents and guardians play a key role in the planning, development, operation and evaluation of the program

• Supports extended families – particularly elders and traditional people – in teaching and caring for children.

Locations

Kiiwednong

2784 Keele Street, Toronto ON M3M 2G4 MAP

Telephone: 416.630.3423 · Fax: 416.630.9581

Shaawnong

935 Dundas Street East, First Nations Public School, Toronto ON M4M 1R4 MAP

Telephone: 416.469.8417 · Fax: 416. 393.0552

Waabanong

20 Waldock Street, Eastview Public School, Toronto ON M1E 2E5 MAP

Telephone: 416.283.7082 · Fax: 416.283.2118

Epnigishmok

611 St. Clair Avenue West, St. Michael’s Church, Toronto ON M6C 1A3 MAP

Telephone: 416.656.3773 · Fax: 416.653.7984

For more information about Aboriginal Head Start programs, call the Centre in your area or 416.969.8510.