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This literature review is the first phase of an initiative of the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (BCACCS) designed to develop positive approaches to understanding, fostering, measuring, and monitoring Indigenous child well-being.

Cultural protocols are codes of behaviour that express the values of a community and describe ways to respectfully interact with one another and the environment. By incorporating protocols into our work, we are able to demonstrate respect for Indigenous cultures and perspectives and recognize Indigenous peoples’ unique position as original inhabitants and stewards of the land we live on.

Authors: Alison Gerlach and Colleen Varcoe

Journal: Journal of Child Health Care 2020, Vol. 0(0) 1–11

Year: 2020 

This article discusses Child and Family Centered Care (CFCC).  In primary and acute health care contexts, CFCC has been adopted internationally as a fundamental philosophical approach to the design, delivery, and evaluation of children’s services.

A list of resources and training compiled by BCACCS as supports for educators, staff, and programs.

Purdue University explores 5 environmental factors affecting online students and remote employees while working at home and offers tips on how to adjust the workspace to improve overall well-being. 

The curriculum framework for the Transition Year of Qeq College is based on a strong foundation of beliefs and values.  Community organizations and partners who participate in the Tillicum Lelum Early Childhood Development Working Group have collaborated to develop the core values described in this document. 

Developed at the request of the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), this document recognizes the diversity and wealth of First Nations languages and cultures in British Columbia (BC) and their critically endangered state and is intended to assist First Nations language teachers, members of First Nations language communities, educational staff in First Nations and public schools, and policy makers as they consider First Nations language and culture frameworks at the K - 12 level.

This resource has been developed in response to desire on the part of teachers for more guidance and information on how to incorporate First Peoples materials into their instruction and assessment practice

The Teacher Resource Kit is an educator’s guide to optimizing learning applications based on the Four Directions website.

The Medicine Wheel is a teaching/learning framework that has widespread use in  indigenous communities, for use in instructing intercultural communication. Following the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, one of the required actions for reconciliation was to include intercultural competencies and the incorporation of Indigenous ways of knowing and learning. The Medicine Wheel is one framework that can decolonize and Indigenize education, and therefore works towards finding solutions to the problems created by the oppressive legacy of Indian Residential Schools.  

The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework represents the Government of Canada and Indigenous peoples’ work to co-develop a transformative Indigenous framework.

A list of science resources for secondary school, compiled by the Indigenous Education Department for the Greater Victoria School District #61.

An Introduction to British Columbia First Nations Principles of Learning and the application of the concepts to Canadian education.

This video was produced for School District 27 Cariboo-Chilcotin in 2015. It contains information from BC First Nations Knowledge Keeper's Principles of Learning and Dr. Martin Brokenleg's presentation of the Circle of Courage at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings held on May 17, 2013. 

Video length: 9 minutes 

A handbook that comprised of the elements of quality that are identified by those involved in Aboriginal early learning and child care. 

The BCACCS Resource Centre’s collection is focused on materials with Indigenous content and promotes learning and information sharing among parents, child care students and professionals, educators, academics, researchers, policymakers and anyone interested in Indigenous early learning and child care.

BCACCS offers training that is designed to help parents, early childhood educators, and support staff to enhance the services they provide for Indigenous children and families.

An introductory workshop, facilitated by Kirsten Bevelander, which looks at strength-based practices that support educators in increasing their knowledge of screening and assessment tools and methods used in early childhood development.  There is an extra cost of $30 for participant manuals.

A curriculum for kindergarten to grade 7 that honours orality and teaches concepts and practices of justice from a First Nations perspective. This education program hopes to build bridges between the First Nations and Canadian systems of law. 

All about me activities and books are made for preschool, pre-kindergarten, or kindergarten. This website allows you to download printable versions of these resources for your classroom. 

 The LOVIT Way and tools has been developed by AHSABC to engage program communities in their own growth.

The Aboriginal Head Start Association of British Columbia supports the early childhood development  of Aboriginal children offering the preschool program that makes them proud of their 
Aboriginal heritage. The focuses on bringing children 3 to 5 years of age to the school readiness stage in to make their transition to kindergarten easy. 

FREE AHSABC Resources

An updated  AHS Principle and Guidelines: BC Edition for those who work in AHS programs. This document allows new users to familiarize themselves with the founding principles, design operation, and evaluation standards. 

An Infographic sheet that explains COVID-19 and how to decrease its spread in a way that can be understood by children.

This online, self-paced course from University of British Columbia (UBC) that allows Canadian teachers to gain more knowledge about mental health and mental illness. Teachers are welcome to take all seven modules or only those that are of interest to them. There is also an option to pay for more certification.

This online, self-paced course from University of British Columbia (UBC) that allows Canadian teachers to gain more knowledge about mental health and mental illness. Teachers are welcome to take all seven modules or only those that are of interest to them. There is also an option to pay for more certification.

A list of the Child and Youth Mental Health clinics throughout British Columbia, organized by region. 

News and information about the spread of COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health and Addiction-Province of British Columbia. 

Wellness Together Canada provides tools and resources to support Canadians who have gone through challenges as a result of the pandemic. 

CTRI has a collection of free resources and webinars that are related to mental health and COVID-19. 

During the pandemic, the team of recreation therapists and community partners at Recreational Respite have created  interactive and virtual services  that offer experimental outcomes through various size groups. Their services are for children, youth, and adults with disabilities. 

1-877-855-7070
[email protected]

The collaboration between UBC Okanagan, the BC Psychological Association, and the province, and the province has made it possible for all British Columbians t have free, psychological first aid. 

Lapoint Psychology is offering virtual child and family therapy through Telehealth platform. 

Telephone: 778-294-8732

Email: [email protected]

Resources and suggestions put together by the Canadian Mental Health Association to help support mental health during the pandemic.

FamilySparks has a webpage that allows you to find timely, clinically-based mental health articles for you and your family. 

The Public Health Agency of Canada has a webpage with information to help children cope with stressful events.

Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) Crisis line provides emotional support to women experiencing gender-based domestic violence and/or uncertainty during the pandemic.

Call 604-872-3311 in Vancouver costal, or dial 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) across BC.

The BC Children's Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre provides mental health and substance use information, resources, and help with mental health system navigation to families in British Columbia.

Call 1-800-665-1822, or email [email protected]

KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides support to people in the Port Alberni area as well as Aboriginals throughout the Province of British Columbia.

8-1-1 is a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line available in British Columbia.

Child Mind Institute offers resources for patents to cope with COVID-19 and also telehealth services. 

Provides information on government and community-based health and social services.

Search for member food banks is your community. 

Eligible licensed providers can apply for Child Care Operating Funding (CCOF).

The Temporary Emergency Funding (TEF) is for licensed child care providers who have a 2020/21 funding agreement through the Child Care Operating Program (CCOF). Those not enrolled in CCOF may still apply for CCOF and TEF.

Hygiene Kits are provided to local shelters, transitional homes, food banks & low income seniors in many communities on Vancouver Island.

Customers on a monthly payment plan who are facing financial challenges due to COVID-19 may defer their payment for up to 90 days with no penalty.

Through the COVID-19 Relief Fund, three months of bill credit can be given to residential customers who have lost their jobs. For small businesses that have closed, three months of waives bills is available through the fund. Customers who are not eligible for the fund may arrange flexible payment plans. 

Information on obtaining child care for essential service workers.

BC Housing is monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic by working with the Province of BC, BC's health authorities, the BC Centre for Disease Control, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and other partners.

Information and Updates from the Province of British Columbia. 

The British Columbia Psychological Association is offering a Psychological First Aid Service that designed to help any BC resident aged 19+who is experiencing stress, anxiety, or uncertainty due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

A listing of agencies, compiled by BC Council for Families, offering free, personal one-on-one supported during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Outlines the Temporary Emergency Funding (TEF) that is available to licensed child care providers who have a 2020/21 funding agreement through the Child Care Operating Funding Program (CCOF). 

Outlines financial supports in response to COVID-19.

Outlines the various supports from the Government of Canada for First Nations in responding to COVID-19.

CCPA provides resources and information to assist workers and renters.

Updates on changes to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) services, due dates and programs affected by the pandemic.

Autism Nova Scotia has developed clear step-by-step guidelines on how to apply for CERB. 

The CERB offers support to Canadians by providing financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19.

Outlines the actions taken by the Government of Canada to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak.

HighScope offers several online professional development courses in Early Childhood Education. Fee Required. 

Professional Learning Workshops offered online by AECENL. 

The Perpetual Preschool various lesson plans and workshops, including Online Early Childhood Workshops. Fee required. 

Open School BC offers several courses, including Food Safety Awareness Training course. Fee required. 

Various Professional Development Training courses offered by BC Council for Families. Fee required. 

A wide range of courses on first aid and CPR skills. 

Neufeld Institute offers a variety of courses on Early Child at a fee. The majority of the courses are offered through the continuing education program.

Thirty Courses on Early Learning. Each course is $15. A 20-hour responsible adult course is available for students at a $95 fee.

Convenient Early Childhood online workshops offered by Circle of Ideas. $14 fee. 

Various workshops offered at different fees by Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre. 

Family Sparks put together 10 one-hour child development courses for those who want professional development hours for Early Childhood Educator certification. 

The cost is $99 dollars for the 10 courses or $129 dollars for the 10 courses plus 4 books. 

Child Care Resource and Referral has a variety of workshops to choose from. Cost is $5 or higher.

Little Warriors is offering a 90 minute workshop focused on the awareness, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. 

Two 30 minute webinars  (one for families and one for professionals) dedicated to physical activity and physical literacy for children aged 0-6.

A one-hour course on Healthy Eating in Childcare Settings by the Dietitians of Fraser Health. 

Free webinars for early childhood educators offered by Early Childhood Investigations Webinars. You can download a Certificate of Attendance for all seminars. 

Appetite to Play offers two 1.5 hour e-learning modules on Healthy Eating and Physical Literacy. See the Training pull-down menu to begin.

An online anaphylaxis course offered by allergyaware.ca for teachers, administrators, and other school personnel. 

B.C.’s Early Learning Framework guides offer online training to support families, educators, and schools during the pandemic. Please go to the bottom of the page for the link to the training. 

A free webinar about play by Deborah MacNamara.

A free, in-depth course about the science of brain development. 

Resources, modules, and interactive activities from Science of Early Child Development (SECD). 

Coursera offers many free online university courses. You can search specifically for Early Childhood Education courses.  

Online Cultural Workshop  teachings from PAFNW offered in Ojibway and Cree that can be accessed through Facebook Live. 

Updates from ECEBC. 

A poster from Healthy Child Manitoba with instructions and photos regarding hand washing, cleaning, and sanitizing for children. 

An information sheet that provides advice to public groups, transit, schools, universities and other institutions in BC on cleaning for non-healthcare settings.

Guidelines for schools and child care settings during the C0VID-19 pandemic. 

Questions and Answers regarding COVID-19 in childcare settings. 

Guidance for child care owners/operators in protecting children and staff from the spread of the coronavirus. 

Parenting Tips, resources and Ideas for COVID-19.

Parent Support Services Society offers a Support Line for Kinship Caregivers, Facilitation Training and Parenting Workshops across BC for people in parenting roles.

An information sheet by Public Health Authority of Canada that offers information about pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for newborns during the pandemic. 

A fact sheet created by Public Health Authority of Canada that offers steps on how to care for a child with COVID-19.

A document presented by the Ministry of Health and BC Centre for Disease Control that offers some key points and recommendations regarding Children with COVID-19.

PHAC suggest ways to help children cope during this pandemic. The information is separated by age group. 

FNHA suggests some topics to discuss with children regarding COVID-19.

Zero to Three offers some age-appropriate responses to the common questions a toddler might have about coronavirus.

A book for children about Coronavirus

Author(s): Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson, Nia Roberts 

Illustrator: Axel Scheffler

ISBN:  978-1-5362-1921-0

Publisher: Nosy Crow

Manuela Molina created a short book, to support and reassure children, under the age of 7, regarding the COVID-19. It is offered in different languages. 

Popular children's books read by celebrities

Khan Academy has provided daily schedules for students aged 2-18 and remote learning services because of school closures due to COVID-19. 

Provides day by day projects for children grades PreK-K.

Resources and Ideas for families and educators from Autism Little Learners.

Some ways to make dealing with self-isolation from COVID-19 more fun for the whole family.

The Stay-at-Home-Mom-Survival Guide offers various, simple preschool activities to do from home. 

Mothers Matter Centre created a guide for parents for a weekly, in-home schedule that is full of easy to follow in the HIPPY parent-child curriculum format. A new package is released every week.

With spread of coronavirus, schools, workplaces, and businesses will continue to close. Children and Nature Network provided 10 nature activities that will get families through this pandemic. 

A message from Drs. Unjali Malhotra and Nel Wieman, FNHA Office of the Chief Medical Officer; and Denise Lacerte, FNHA Senior Specialist, Healthy Children and Youth Wellness about activities for children to do during the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Information from Northern Health regarding COVID-19, including what they are doing as the situation emerges. 

Information about COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community and what to do if you suspect you have the virus from Vancouver Island Health. 

Fraser Health has closely been working with it's sites and programs, the BC Centre for Disease Control, and the Public Health Agency of Canada to respond to the evolving novel coronavirus situation by keeping us informed via Q&A, organizational structures, and plans and processes that address and monitor this the emerging issues.

Latest COVID-19 News & Information from Interior Health, BC.

Important contact information, links, and facts regarding COVID-19 in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

 Information and FAQs from the Office of Human Rights Commissioner on COVID-19

The Ministry of Children and Family Development is proactively responding to COVID-19 ensuring children, youth, families, caregivers, service providers, partners and staff have the information they need.

Useful information, resources, and links from the Province that aim to  protect British Columbians and ensure the province is best positioned to effectively respond to the pandemic.

Information from the First Nations Health Authority regarding the escalation of the pandemic in BC. that emphasizes the need to work together to protect each other, especially our Elders and people who are vulnerable. 

Information about about COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community and what to do if you suspect you have the virus.

Orders, Notices & Guidance regarding the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) from the Government of British Columbia. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Indigenous communities

Information and facts related specifically to the Covid-19 virus from Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC), including information about Canadian cases, the epidemiology of Covid 19,  facts related to its origin, statistics, symptoms, etc. 

Helpful information about Coronavirus disease (COVID 19) from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), including, but not limited to, COVID-19 and Indigenous communites, a self-assessment test, statistics, etc.

This paper highlights deficits in key determinants of Aboriginal children’s wellness and education outcomes. It focuses on the potential for early childhood programming, delivered in concert with other programmatic supports, to form a significant part of a comprehensive strategy involving all levels of government, in partnerships with Aboriginal groups, to ensure equity and dignity for Aboriginal young children and to improve outcomes for Aboriginal Peoples over the long term. Outstanding needs for population data and for research on program outcomes are also highlighted as part of the solution because they can inform investments and program improvements to ensure accountability and critical gains in opportunities for success and quality of life for Aboriginal children.
Health & Well-Being

ISBN: 9788865220122
Publication Date: 2012
This paper describes the outcomes of a two-day meeting that brought together 12 participants to discuss the underlying causes of child well-being and develop an initial framework to consider the impact of structural factors on children’s lives and the inequalities that too often shape (and limit) their futures

Publication Date: 2013
"Provide[s] insight into the health status of Aboriginal children living off reserve in Alberta, and into the determinants of health in young Aboriginal children living off reserve in Canada." -p. 197

ISBN: 0921564384
Publication Date: 2009
"Explores the health of Aboriginal children in Canada through the perspectives of experts across the country." -p. iii

In many of the discussions held in support of the development of the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework (the Framework), the four directions provided guidance for exploring the meaning of mental wellness within First Nations communities. Regional discussion sessions, a National Gathering, and a National Validation and Implementation Session were instrumental in grounding the Framework in community ideas and visions that all contributed to its concepts and key themes.

Findings from the Children's Component of the Aboriginal Peoples Survey 2001.
Citation: Pimatisiwin, Vol. 5, No. 1, Special Issue, July 2007, pp. 186-206.

Research publications and other resources on child health from the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH).

The First Nations Perspective on Wellness aims to visually depict and describe the First Nations Health Authority Vision: Healthy, Self-Determining and Vibrant BC First Nations Children, Families and Communities.

"This chapter explores childhood mental health and well-being using a resilience framework to integrate the interactions of sociocultural protective factors at individual, familial, and community levels." – abstract

"Identifies the most important elements of healthy development for Aboriginal children, with a particular focus on social-emotional development." -p. 2

Identifies daily activities such as hunting, fishing, food gathering and preparation, games, and competitions as part of traditional lifestyles that maintained physical strength, fitness, and health throughout all life stages. It includes several suggestions for increasing physical activity for both children and adults, and provides links to organizations that support active living.

A variety of Indigenous cookbooks and recipes available at the BCACCS Resource Library.

Based on the results of Statistics Canada’s 2006 Aboriginal Children’s Survey, this article presents an overview of how often First Nations children living off reserve, Métis children and Inuit children aged 2 to 5 consume various types of food, including foods considered traditional or country among Aboriginal people.

An illustrated list of traditional foods of BC, including different types and preparations of fish, seafood, oolichan oil, animals (moose, deer, small mammals), birds, roots and berries.

This series of videos presents highlights from 12 indigenous community areas in 9 countries, and is intended to contribute to the evidence base used to make global policies to protect Indigenous Peoples' food resources and promote good health.

"These guidelines [from the First Nations Health Council] are intended to support community members in educating each other about better food and drink choices to offer in schools, meetings, homes, cultural and recreational events, and in restaurants." -p. 3

Research publications and other resources on nutrition from the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH).

A national scope study on the benefits and risks of food and water in First Nation communities.

An archive of publications related to child care occupational standards, training, recruitment and retention.

A design guide for early years-kindergarten play-learning environments

A report on Indigenous design considerations in Australia.

These books are available at the BCACCS Resource Centre.

Child Care Licensing Regulations

These guidelines recommend both basic and enhanced furnishings and equipment to meet children’s needs in the areas of physical, intellectual, language, emotional, and social development. They also address the need for toys and materials for tactile, visual and auditory development.

Information you need to set up your child care facility, collected by the Interior Health Authority.

Child care can be licensed, registered or unlicensed. Unlicensed (or licence-not-required) child care providers can care for only two children or a sibling group not related to them. If care is provided to three or more children, a licence is required.

Rules and guidelines for licensed child care facilities.

Since its inception in 1985, Indspire has disbursed almost $65 million through close to 20,000 scholarships and bursaries to Indigenous students, making it the largest funder of Indigenous education outside the federal government.

Lift focuses on projects that address health, education, skills development, employment, and the specific needs of Indigenous people, individuals with disabilities, and newcomers.

Tides Canada is dedicated to a healthy environment, social equity, and economic prosperity. They support people in building healthy, vibrant communities that have the social, economic, and natural capital to steward their environments for generations to come.

The Real Estate Foundation of BC grants support projects that strengthen communities and protect our shared land and water.

The Gainey foundation is dedicated to funding environmental and arts programs for youth.

The Lawson Foundation is a national family foundation that invests in the healthy development of children and youth, including promoting and enhancing early child development for the benefit of children and families.

The applying organization needs to be in the Northern Health region and have a health promoting project. Granting goals may change from year to year.

In its 29-year history, Face the World has raised more than $18.5 million to assist more than 400 organization in the Lower Mainland, with special focus on children, women and seniors.

The Foundation makes grants for cultural, educational and charitable purposes within BC.

The Max Bell Foundation provide both project and development grants in their program areas of health and wellness, education, and environment. Priorities include: development of programs and strategies that ensure efficient and effective transitions between parts of the education system (early childhood, K-12, and post-secondary); and development and implementation of effective strategies to promote good mental health among children and youth.

Honda Canada Foundation supports people and organizations that focus on our four pillars: Family, Environment, Engineering and Education. They help charities that support children and their families in times of need and fund programs that create learning opportunities for families as a whole.

The purpose of the foundation is to support projects of Canadian organizations, primarily in the fields of the arts, human services, and community development.

VCF supports high impact social enterprises that create employment for people with barriers to employment, who provide needed products and services to underserved communities, or who offer innovative products or services that contribute to the development of sustainable local economies.

The grant programs of the MDRT Charitable Foundation Canada are designed to provide support to organizations that serve to enhance the "Quality of Life". Grants are awarded to organizations that provide services designed to help people in need. Application deadline is July 15 each year.

Career development and career counselling are the broad areas that are central to the Foundation’s interests and we generally focus on youth (between the ages of 12 and 30). In particular, the Foundation is interested in programs and projects that: eliminate barriers to the pursuit and attainment of meaningful work; promote employability; and raise career awareness.

The Community Action Initiative supports community-based projects with a specific focus on addressing mental health and substance use challenges in BC. They also provide funding to help service providers enhance their capacity to serve individuals and families experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges.

Through its grant program, the Columbia Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) supports projects which enhance the quality of life of the residents of the Columbia Valley, from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen.

The Youth Get It Community Investment Program supports projects that help youth in your community build a strong financial future, succeed during their school years, and build a sense of belonging to decrease stress and depression.

There are three specific criteria that inform BMO Community Giving decision-making, guiding and influencing how we build capacity, select and work with our community partners, and measure performance: collaboration, learning and innovation.

The Central Okanagan Foundation grants funds to projects related to arts & culture, the environment, children, youth, families, community development, health and other fields.

The Keg Spirit Foundation will consider funding for both new and established projects that relate to children or youth in some way, and contains a mentoring component.

Comox Valley Community Foundation helps build a vital community by supporting local initiatives and organizations within School District #71 to improve the community. Grants are awarded for Community Enrichment and Professional Development projects.

Vancouver Foundation Community Grants support thousands of projects every year to help build healthy, vibrant, and livable communities across BC.

The Victoria Foundation Community Grants program supports five Fields of Interest: Arts, Culture and Heritage; Community Services; Education; Environment; Health and Recreation.

Working in partnership with the 13 Canadian TELUS Community Boards, the Foundation funds local charities that help Canadian youth succeed through innovative technology, health and educational programs.

The Leon and Thea Koerner Award supports social services and professional arts organizations and artists who work in collaboration to improve the well-being of communities in BC.

Laidlaw Foundation invests in Indigenous youth-led projects related to land, language, and culture, to support the transmission of cultural practices to future generations in order to promote nation building, decolonization, and reconciliation.

CIBC Children’s Foundation will consider funding for Canadian registered charities that use funds for projects or programs that directly support children in need, under the age of 14.

Indigitization supports First Nations and Indigenous communities in B.C through the process of digitizing cultural knowledge stored on at-risk audio cassettes. It offers matching funds of up to $10,000 per project and training for community organizations during the digitization process. The program also provides an online toolkit which can be used by any First Nations communities wishing to engage in digitization.

The RBC Youth Mental Well-being Project supports programs that help youth and families access the right care. The RBC Emerging Artists Project supports initiatives that help emerging artists by bridging the gap from academic to professional career.

The Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation is a registered foundation designated to provide support and address situations unique to the First Nations community. The Foundation will supply grants to individuals with a goal of developing youth as future community leaders. The possible grant areas are: arts and culture, education support, health support, and sports and recreation.

The McConnell Reconciliation Initiative focuses its efforts on bringing forward the societal change necessary for a reconciliation economy. In cooperation with Indigenous communities and other stakeholders, it targets the key areas of (1) collaborative funding models; (2) innovative platforms for change; and (3) solutions finance.

The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres provides funding for students through the First Citizens Fund (FCF) Student Bursary Program and Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP).

Use the Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool to search more than 750 bursaries, scholarships and incentives across Canada, offered by governments, universities and colleges, private and public companies, individual Canadians, organizations and others aimed at Indigenous students.

The goal of the ETG is to help British Columbians access the skills training they need to adapt to the changing requirements of jobs and the labour market while encouraging employer involvement in the training of their employees. Some child care centres have successfully applied for funding to traing their ECEs.

As part of Government’s Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy, front-line Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) working in eligible licensed child care facilities receiving Child Care Operating Funding (CCOF) are eligible to receive a $1 per hour wage enhancement.

One-time Start-Up Grants are available to help eligible unlicensed child care providers - whether Registered Licence-Not-Required (RLNR) or Licence-Not-Required (LNR) - to become licensed child care facilities under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act.

The Childcare BC Maintenance Fund (formerly Minor Capital Funding) helps licensed child care facilities address maintenance issues that may impact children's health, safety, or well-being, or cause a facility to close. The fund also assists with relocation costs, if the relocation is required for the provider to remain in compliance with requirements under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act. The Childcare BC Maintenance Fund grant is available to support eligible organizations to address emergencies, make necessary repairs, and/or replace equipment for their operations.

The Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative lowers the cost of child care for parents each month. Parents do not need to apply for the fee reduction. Child care providers that are approved to opt in to the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative receive funding to reduce parent fees.

Child Care Operating Funding (CCOF) assists with the day-to-day costs of running a licensed child care facility.

In Storytelling for Grantseekers, Second Edition, Cheryl Clarke presents an organic approach to grantseeking, one that views the process through the lens of the pleasures and rewards of crafting a good story.

The New Relationship Trust (NRT) provides funding for First Nations youth groups at the community level to implement projects that promote capacity development and language revitalization.

The New Relationship Trust (NRT) provides funding for projects that benefit Elders and/or Elders groups at the community or Nation level. The purpose of the initiative is capacity building that enhances knowledge, abilities, skills and processes in areas such as language and culture, mentorship, leadership and team building.

The FPCC Micro-Grant program assists Indigenous artists and collectives in British Columbia to achieve outcomes that respond to extenuating circumstances and emergent needs, as well as contribute to professional development in all artistic disciplines.

Supports First Nations communities and Nations to come together to plan, design and deliver initiatives in support of the social determinants of mental health and wellness.

Provides funding to build quality, licensed child care in all regions of the province (on and off reserve). Indigenous Governments are eligible for up to $3 million in capital funding and Indigenous non-profit societies are eligible for up to $1.5 million (both at 100% Provincial contribution) to build a child care centre, renovate a building to create child care, or renovate to expand current child care services. Application intake is ongoing.

The First Peoples’ Cultural Council is offering grant funding for language-focused gatherings that bring together First Nations communities and organizations in B.C. to share about their current and future language revitalization projects and plans.

The Mentor-Apprentice Program (MAP) is a one-on-one language immersion program to facilitate the development of fluent speakers of B.C. First Nations languages. Fluent speakers are partnered with committed learners in an immersion environment.

Grants are available for organizations that deliver programs that significantly contribute to the quality of life in a community. Communities have had success using this funding for language work, including language nests.

The Indigenous Healing and Rebuilding funding stream provides one-time grants to support projects that use holistic approaches to address healing and rebuilding of Indigenous families, individuals, and/or communities

BCLI grants projects to revitalize BC First Nations languages including Immersion programming (children or adults), traditional and cultural language programming, documentation/recording/digitization, materials development, FirstVoices development, language planning.

The system of early years services in B.C. is large and complex, with numerous government ministries, health authorities, school districts, Indigenous governments, municipalities, and hundreds of community organizations sharing the roles and responsibilities of providing supports to families.

B.C. has updated the Early Learning Framework to recognize the new realities of children, families and communities. The new framework was developed in collaboration with early childhood educators, primary teachers, academics, Indigenous organizations, Elders, government and other professionals.

The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework represents the Government of Canada and Indigenous peoples’ work to co-develop a transformative Indigenous framework that reflects the unique cultures, aspirations and needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children across Canada.

This framework should be seen not as prescriptive. Informed by regional First Nations ELCC engagements and the lessons of twenty years of experience with Indigenous ELCC, it instead provides a vision, principles, and strategic actions that will come together to create a comprehensive national First Nations ELCC system, one implemented and coordinated by regions and communities. Strategic actions are offered as a series of well-informed considerations for development and implementation of the system.

For Aboriginal parents, extended families, and communities, caring for children is a sacred responsibility. The Creator has given Aboriginal peoples the right and responsibility to initiate, design, and control programs and
services for our children. We accept these rights and responsibilities to care for and educate our children according to the Laws of the Creator. The elements of quality child care described below rest on these beliefs.

Examples of Strategic Outcomes associated with Determinants of Health

Community wellness represents a balance between physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. This wholistic concept of wellness is not easy to assess using conventional measurement tools and traditional data sets. This guide provides an approach to determining what wellness means in your community and provides steps and tools for the development of indicators of wellness, indicators that will show progress towards your community’s vision and overall health.

This toolkit was created to support First Nation communities in northern Ontario in their efforts to build a better future through Comprehensive Community Planning (CCP). The toolkit is specifically written for CCP project coordinators, project managers, and community planners and their partners. Much of the material will be helpful for Band Managers, staff, and Councillors who are trying to scope out and initiate a CCP. Many of the tools and the phase-by-phase process itself can be applied to other planning projects and to other communities, particularly First Nations across Canada.

The CCP Handbook breaks down comprehensive community planning into manageable stages for BC communities ready to tackle the planning process. You will find step-by-step descriptions of the entire process, and read about lessons learned by BC First Nations who have tested various approaches to community planning. The handbook includes practical tools to encourage community involvement and develop the plan based on the community’s vision and goals. The final section includes funding, educational and planning resources to support the development and implementation of your community’s plan.

This Guide to Planning and Reporting Standards captures some of the key learnings of First Nations communities that are leading the way in planning and reporting in British Columbia. It aims to bring forward emerging standards associated with planning and reporting in First Nations communities. These standards will make it possible for First Nations to truly focus on what is important to their community and Nation.

Offer funding to communities, organizations, individuals and language groups in two areas: Arts Grants: Emerging Individual Artists, Organizations and Collectives, Sharing Traditional Arts, and Aboriginal Arts Administrator Internships; Language Grants: B.C. First Nations' communities/governments/bands/Tribal Councils, Aboriginal Cultural, Language and Education Centres (e.g. Friendship Centres).

Supports the production and distribution of Aboriginal audio and video content.

Supports community – based projects that contribute to the preservation and revitalization of Aboriginal languages.

New funding model includes Creating, Knowing and Sharing:The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. This stream funds projects that support the creative capacity and professional development of First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists and arts organizations and facilitate the reclamation, retention, renewal and transmission of Aboriginal cultural knowledge and creative practice.

Information on fund raising and proposal writing for grants.

The book includes a proposal checklist, a glossary of terms, sample grant forms, and a list of Web sites that provide information on grants offered by foundations, corporations, and the government.

A state-of-the-art guide for developing grants with a strong emphasis on using program outcome measurement to underscore need and accountability

Victoria Foundation maintains a list of other available grants and scholarships. Included is a list of hundreds of potential partners or funders.

Provides resources and information about grants, fundraising, philanthropy, foundations and non–profits organizations to those in need of funding and research for their their philanthropic efforts and missions.

This handbook was created by the First Peoples' Heritage, Language and Culture Council, Arts Outreach Program. It is filled with tips on grant writing.

Use this site to search for community foundations in your area.

Charity Village provides resources for grant writing and fundraising.

If you are a registered Canadian charity or nonprofit organization, they would be happy to add a free link to your web site from their "Nonprofit Neighbourhood".

In addition to offering grant opportunities in the Okanagan region, this website offers tips on successful grant writing.

The Canada Council for the Arts is committed to reaffirming and revitalizing its relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. The Canada Council believes that an approach that respects First Nations, Inuit and Métis artistic expression, cultural protocols, Indigenous rights and Indigenous worldviews will stimulate First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists, artistic practices, and communities.

The creation of a First Nations-specific system of early learning and child care (ELCC) is one step toward addressing TRC Calls to Action and toward realizing First Nations inherent responsibilities within the framework of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework represents the Government of Canada and Indigenous peoples’ work to co-develop a transformative Indigenous framework that reflects the unique cultures, aspirations and needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children across Canada.

by Brown, Diane; Edenshaw, Gwaai; Edenshaw, Jaalen.

This resource was developed to help service providers who work with First Nations families understand some of the traditional teachings, barriers to practice and challenges facing First Nations people. The information can be used to ensure that evidenced- based practice.

Prepared By Kathryn Irvine For ‘Messages From The Heart’: A Showcase On Aboriginal Childrearing - Caring For Our Children And Families.

This series of resources is a response to a growing interest in parenting information for First Nations and Métis parents in BC. The resources share important parenting information. See the back cover for more themes in the series.

"This book was developed by the First Nations Parents Club, which is a club dedicated to supporting parents and the important role they play in the education of their children."

This series of resources is a response to a growing interest in parenting information for First Nations and Métis parents in BC. The resources share important parenting information.

A summary of scientific work on early childhood development.

This manual was developed for a range of service providers who work with young First Nations families.

This report outlines the Aboriginal HIPPY program in BC and details an implementation plan to spread Aboriginal HIPPY across Canada as a national program.

"This multidisciplinary research project brought together experts in First Nations child welfare, community development, economics, management information systems, law, social work, and management to inform the development of three funding formula options to support policy and practice..." (p. 7)

A two-part parenting program developed in accordance with traditional First Nations child-rearing practices.

A two-part parenting program developed in accordance with traditional First Nations child-rearing practices.

A delightfully visual one-hour documentary, exploring ten British Columbia reserves, where insightful experiences from more than forty early childhood educators, caregivers and parents, illuminate why Head Start is earning enthusiastic support in their communities.

Culturally relevant training program for Aboriginal Parents.

Culturally-specific training program for Indian parents.

An adaption of 'A handbook for involving parents in Head Start.'

This article seeks to describe some of the major issues in participatory action research, including commonalities and controversies.

This paper explores how Aboriginal graduate students in Canada and Australia are able to be successful in school while maintaining a strong Indigenous identity.

This article describes how three researchers in western Canada incorporated the Cree concept of "Wahkohtowin" into a research project that compared Indigenous and non-Indigenous students' memories of learning to read and write.

Focuses on the methodology for recording oral histories in the Aboriginal community in Canada. Objective in assisting Aboriginal communities in documenting the vast knowledge held by elders and others; Provision of information on how to conduct and document oral histories; Benefits expected to receive from ancestors through treaties.

International Review of Qualitative Research Special Issue on Indigenous Knowledge as a Mode of Inquiry (Vol. 9 No. 3, Fall 2016)

In this article, the author, establishes a knowledge set for Indigenous social work practice, proposing a framework using the circle and the four directions.

In this article, the author, establishes a knowledge set for Indigenous social work practice, proposing a framework using the circle and the four directions.

"Learning about knowledge and how it is conceived, impacted, and transformed through the interaction with others raises many questions about how I have come to know what I know."

Two studies conducted through community-campus partnerships demonstrated emerging frameworks for ethical conduct of research involving Indigenous peoples in Canada.

This paper describes the author's journey learning about the question of whether non-indigenous researchers should attempt to research with/in Indigenous communities

"This article focuses on the use of the conversational method as a means for gathering knowledge."

This article argues for a fusion of three different research methodologies: indigenous methodologies, participatory action research, and White studies.

These Guidelines have been prepared by the Ethics Office of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), in conjunction with its Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health, to assist researchers and institutions in carrying out ethical and culturally competent research involving Aboriginal people.

This articles describes and analyzes the ethical challenges faced by researchers during a study gathering health information on midlife Aboriginal women.

"This study examined the feasibility of the Survey of Well-Being of Young Children (SWYC), a new screener for socioemotional and developmental problems and family risk in children birth to age 5 years, for use in American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities."

This study "set out to contribute knowledge about how to support early language development of young First Nations children in ways that are congruent with First Nations Elders and parents views and goals for their children’s early language learning."

"This article discusses questions and issues to be considered when conducting language assessments with Canadian Aboriginal children."

"This article discusses questions and issues to be considered when conducting language assessments with Canadian Aboriginal children."

This 2014 Environmental Scan updates the 2007 BCACCS Environmental Scan: Winds of Change.

This study examined the challenges identified by urban Aboriginal families of children with physical disabilities and determined solutions for service providers.

"The results of 2 months of intensive search did not suggest a landscape richly populated with Aboriginal father support programs. There are large gaps, and the distribution of programs appears to be uneven, with British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Ontario having quite a bit of activity while other provinces and territories have fewer initiatives that could be found."

Discusses various difficulties American Indians have had in balancing their own cultural values against other worldviews.

This article discusses conditions unique to Aboriginals children and parents, such as children in foster care and families living below the poverty line.

"Studies on attachment security conducted with different cultural groups provide a means of comparing naturally occurring differences in parenting practices and socio-emotional environments of children." -p.1

This website contains many articles about parenting and pregnancy tips. As well as food and nutrition, and activity and lifestyle.

Information for parents from Canada's paediatricians.

The CCCF resource sheet series, has been developed with both the parent and the practitioner in mind. The information is provided in an accessible, free downloadable format, with concise practical tips on how to manage the early years.

"This book was developed by the First Nations Parents Club, which is a club dedicated to supporting parents and the important role they play in the education of their children."

This series of resources is a response to a growing interest in parenting information for First Nations and Métis parents in BC. The resources share important parenting information.

Resources and Tools on children's behaviour, education and learning, health and nutrition, pregnancy, family, services and policy.

This manual was developed for a range of service providers who work with young First Nations families.

Discusses the role of grandparents and their relationship with grandchildren.

How changes in the family environment in Canada have affected child development and how families have adapted parenting roles.

"In this film you will see parents and their children enjoying each other's company. You will also see our Play Therapist talking about the benefits of play. Many examples are shown of parents joining their children in play." -back cover

Examines the influence of child-rearing customs on society and world events, and includes advice on raising a well-adjusted child.

Examines the influence of child-rearing customs on society and world events, and includes advice on raising a well-adjusted child.

This DVD is the result of all the things learned from Métis midwives, health professionals, Elders and parents.

When important character attributes like honesty, integrity, and fairness are modeled and taught to kids, they develop an inner compass that continues to guide them in a positive direction. The missing link has been helping parents with their crucial participation at home.

This DVD is a companion to Baby's Best Chance: Parents' Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care. It provides information about planning for and having a healthy pregnancy and childbirth, as well as care of your baby in the weeks following birth.

"Relevant principles and community-based strategies of programs developed for children and youth with ADHD and their families that could be adapted, and may be effective, for Aboriginal children diagnosed with FASD and their families." -p. 7

Five members of the Lil'wat Nation discuss raising children with developmental disabilities. [abstract]

Five members of the Lil'wat Nation discuss raising children with developmental disabilities. [abstract]

This book assists parents and professionals with the challenges of caring for a child prenatally exposed to drugs. The guide offers practical techniques and strategies, debunks well-known myths, explores social issues and includes a workbook section for caregivers.

"Living with FASD is the essential guide for anyone who cares for an individual with this pervasive condition."

Information, presented in a native manner, about the disease and its implications in child development and child rearing.

Vancouver Native Health Society delivers comprehensive medical, counselling and social services generally to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside Aboriginal community.

Offers specialized services to children with disabilities, their families and communities throughout British Columbia. Sunny Hill serves children from birth to age 19.

The Public Health Agency of Canada provides resources on a variety of infectious and chronic diseases, including diabetes and HIV/AIDS.

Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities was established to provide therapeutic horseback riding to individuals with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.

The Ministry of Children and Family has 13 service locations across BC, each offering different physical and mental health services.

The Heiltsuk Health Centre seeks to promote the health of the Heiltsuk people.

A non-profit society that aims to enhance reciprocal social interaction, communication, imaginative play, and friendships between individuals on the autism spectrum and their typically developing peers.

Dreams Take Flight is a Canada-wide, volunteer-led non-profit organization dedicated to giving physically, mentally and socially challenged children a trip of a lifetime to Disneyland.

Patient Care Grants cover some of the costs for therapeutic equipment and prosthetics as well as transportation and accommodation.

The BC Association of Child Development and Intervention is an association of agencies that provide child development and therapy services to children with special needs and their families.

Provides a variety of support services and resources to help BC's Aboriginal people with disabilities.

The ASCD program provides services for children who require support in Physical Development, Cognitive Development, Communicative Development, Social/ Emotional Development, and Behaviour.

Tips for parents and teachers interacting with children with ADD or ADHD.

BC Council for Families offers trainings and online information for families and professionals. "Fathers are an important part of their children’s life and their development. Studies have shown the positive impacts involved fathers have on children, and attitudes towards fathering are shifting."

This online resource summarizes a national showcase hosted by the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa on February 23-24, 2011.

"Stories told by Aboriginal fathers in the first study of Aboriginal fatherhood in Canada suggest there is the potential for a new generation of positively involved Aboriginal fathers that urgently needs to be recognized and supported through program and policy reforms." -p. 52

“Conversational interviews with 80 Indigenous fathers illuminated the socio-historical conditions that have shaped Indigenous men’s experiences of learning to be a father and becoming a man in the context of changing gender relationships and the regeneration of circles of care.”

Interviews of 80 First Nations and Métis fathers, the results of which focus on: “personal wellness, learning fathering, socioeconomic inclusion, social support, legislative and policy support, and cultural continuity.”

The role of fathers in British Columbia’s Aboriginal families and how community programs can support their involvement.

This material includes guides and information for Aboriginal fathers and articles on policies and practice reforms to promote positive transitions to fatherhood among Aboriginal young men.

Six Indigenous fathers of young children in British Columbia talk about what fatherhood means to them. They describe what it has been like to become fathers, to grown into fatherhood and to learn how to care for their children.

This is the background report to a two-day gathering, The Sacred Space of Womanhood: Mothering across the Generations, hosted by the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa, Ontario, January 24-25th 2012

"Urban Aboriginal mothers’ experiences with Family Preservation Services indicate that while such interventions ameliorate the challenges they face, poverty is not adequately addressed." [abstract]

"This paper discusses current parenting difficulties of Native clients who were formerly in residential schools." [abstract]

"This paper summarize[s] traditional knowledge from Manitoba Aboriginal experiences, and provide[s] data from contemporary on-reserve grandmothers." [abstract]

"Recent research revealed that Canadians of First Nations origin, including North American Indians, Métis, and Inuit, were vastly over-represented among grandparents raising grandchildren in skipped generation households (households which include only grandparents and grandchildren)."

The HIPPY program in Canada started in 1999 in Vancouver as a collaborative effort among Simon Fraser University, Britannia Community Services Centre and the National Council of Jewish Women. The program serves families from very diverse backgrounds in several sites. This report outlines the Aboriginal HIPPY program in BC and details an implementation plan to spread Aboriginal HIPPY across Canada as a national program.

Aboriginal Home Instruction Program for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (Aboriginal HIPPY): First Nations and Other Aboriginal Communities by Chief Dan George Centre for Advanced Education

"This manual shares important information about what Aboriginal people feel they need to support their families in raising happy, healthy children. While this manual will be most helpful to non-Aboriginal service providers, it may also be useful in the orientation of new Aboriginal service providers." (p. 5)

Caring for Our Children is distributed to BCACCS members, on and off reserve child care centres, Head Start programs, Bands and Tribal Councils in BC and individuals interested in Indigenous early childhood education and care.

This parenting program was funded and created for the Aboriginal Head Start programs across Canada and was distributed to 140 urban centres by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

For Aboriginal parents, extended families, and communities, caring for children is a sacred responsibility. This document outlines some of the elements included in this perspective.

This handbook is a guide for integrating First Nations culture into early childhood programs.

This project, supported by the First Nations Early Childhood Development Council (FNECDC), seeks to identify strategic actions and policy changes necessary to develop and maintain an effective, qualified early childhood development (ECD) workforce.

The specific aim of this research was to assess aspects related to the training and retention of Early Childhood Educators in First Nations Communities across British Columbia.

Steps in the Right Direction has been developed for occupational therapists (O.T.), physiotherapists (P.T.) and speech language pathologists (S.L.P.) who provide early intervention therapy services to Aboriginal children, families and communities in B.C.

This research documents the perspectives and opinions of two groups with first-hand experience related to licensing First Nations’ early childhood programs.

This paper examines the challenges First Nations children with special needs face when making the transition from early childhood programs to the school setting. Effective strategies to address these transitions are also presented.

The book includes a proposal checklist, a glossary of terms, sample grant forms, and a list of Web sites that provide information on grants offered by foundations, corporations, and the government.

A developmental checklist for infants and children up to 6 years of age, to be completed by a parent or health/child care professional.

Direct Support funding is intended to help First Nation communities build capacity in the areas that they need it. K-12 Education Grant-NRT provides funds to First Nations in BC to deliver Kindergarten to Grade 12 projects at the community level

This ethnographic study combines qualitative and quantitative research methods to examine the relationship between culture and language disability.

"The study of training and retention issues revealed, among many other significant findings, an urgent need for professional development on the topic of human resource management."

This document summarizes the finding of the project to gain an understanding of the circumstances that positively and negatively impact the use of traditional foods in First Nations’ and off-reserve early childhood programs.

The purpose of this project was to gain an understanding of the circumstances that positively and negatively impact the use of high-protein traditional foods in First Nations’ and off-reserve early childhood programs for Indigenous children from birth to age six.

This resource sheet provides information about changes in the 2016 Child Care Licensing Regulation.

This resource sheet provides information about supporting Multi-Age Grouping in early years settings.

This resource sheet provides information of supporting the use of traditional foods in early years settings.

This resource sheet provides information of supporting the inclusion of Elders in early years settings.

This report summarizes research on the early childhood educator occupation and related impacts on the children, families, and communities they work with and in.

This report explores research on the early childhood educator occupation and related impacts on the children, families, and communities they work with and in.

This handbook was published by the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society to provide Aboriginal communities with information about early intervention therapies to help families access services, advocate for funding for early intervention therapy services, and partner with early intervention therapists.

Information on fund raising and proposal writing for grants.

A handbook on grant searches, proposal writing, and fundraising.

A state-of-the-art guide for developing grants with a strong emphasis on using program outcome measurement to underscore need and accountability.

The purpose of the Scan is to describe the federal and provincial Aboriginal ECDC policies and programs designed by the federal and BC provincial governments to close the “gap in life chances” between Aboriginal children and other children in BC.

The purpose of the Scan is to describe the federal and provincial Aboriginal ECDC policies and programs designed by the federal and BC provincial governments to close the “gap in life chances” between Aboriginal children and other children in BC.

This guide by the Canadian Child Care Federation provides 10 tips for identifying children with special needs.

The Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation is a registered foundation designated to provide support and address situations unique to the First Nations community. The Foundation will supply grants to individuals with a goal of developing youth as future community leaders.

A parent-completed developmental and social-emotional screener professionals use to pinpoint delays.

A literature review developed with a goal to develop a greater understanding about the uses, approaches, processes, and efficacy of child development screening and assessment.