Information
October 2002
Aboriginal children get "head start" to their education
Knowledge. Self-confidence. These are what Emma and Casey Hassencahl gained at a pre-school
program before beginning school outside their community of Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick.
Thanks to the Aboriginal Head Start (AHS) program, funded by Health Canada, the girls acquired
new skills. Most importantly, their father Robert says they learned the basics of their
Native language, Maliseet, and now have a strong sense of who they are as First Nations.
"It was amazing to see them speaking our language," says Mr. Hassencahl. He says he regrets
that he never learned very much Maliseet; however, his wife Mona Perley grew up in Tobique
and speaks it. The family is communicating often in Maliseet at home. "Both sets of grandparents
are thrilled to speak Maliseet with the girls. We also saw the girls come out of their
shells and become less shy as a result of the program."
Emma is now 7 and in grade 2, and Casey is 5 and in kindergarten. Since their school is
in a non-Native setting, the Hassencahl and Perley families are glad the girls have a strong
Aboriginal educational foundation to build upon. They attended the Tobique AHS program
between the ages of 3 and 5.
Tobique First Nations' AHS program is one of more than 400 such programs across the country.
The half-day pre-school programs are run by Aboriginal communities on and off reserves.
The aim is to prepare children for their school years by meeting their spiritual, emotional,
intellectual and physical needs. Children also learn about health and nutrition and benefit
from the participation of parents and elders in activities, such as telling of legends.
"This knowledge helps children understand who they are and where they came from," says
Judy Perley, Supervisor of the AHS program at Tobique First Nation. "We also want them
to learn to respect elders and their teachings."
"The program really involves the whole community," adds Mr. Hassencahl. "The program leaders
do so much with the children and we parents are welcome to watch and join in activities."
AHS, established by Health Canada in conjunction with Aboriginal organizations in 1995,
is one of the programs receiving enhanced funding through the federal strategy on Early
Childhood Development for First Nations and other Aboriginal children announced October
31, 2002.
For more information on the federal strategy, see:
 www.canada.gc.ca/whats/whatsnew_e.html
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