First Nations Pedagogies Network
Indigenous People had their own highly successful systems of education prior to colonization. Self-determination and governance in education requires the development and implementation of sustainable educational systems under the full control and jurisdiction of Indigenous People based on the recognition of their rights. To make this a reality, several processes need to be present, including sustainable funding, the preparation of Indigenous educational leaders, and the development of educational systems that meet the needs of each community.
To help achieve this goal the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (BCACCS) supports the First Nations Pedagogies Network (FNPN). Building on an opportunity as the Early Childhood Pedagogies Network’s (ECPN) Indigenous Stream, this is a unique program of gathering, developing and sharing distinctly First Nations ways of supporting children, families, cultures and communities.
FNPN brings together, coordinates and supports the work of First Nations equivalents of ‘Pedagogists’ to work with each other, Elders, First Nations early childhood education programs (those existing and those being created) and First Nations families and communities to realize, affirm, extend and secure distinctly First Nations promise and practice in early learning and child care (ELCC).
Born in respectful partnership, FNPN is subject to Indigenous laws, the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (now law in BC).
Six Indigenous ‘pedagogists’ work in the guidance and collaboration of First Nations communities throughout BC to strengthen First Nations ELCC in diversity, continuity and innovation as the pilot cohort of the FNPN. Through their six distinct pathways, these professionals lay the groundwork for the network’s expansion.
The FNPN website has been launched and showcases the work of Indigenous ‘pedagogists’ as they work in communities to create spaces of sharing, celebration, provocation and affirmation.
For more information, please contact graham@acc-society.bc.ca.
FNPN members are pleased to invite you to learn about and contribute to important and necessary discussions in Indigenous early learning and child care. Take a look at upcoming workshops!
