/// Registration for the Prince George Engagement is now closed. To be placed on a waiting list, please contact Mahihkan Management at events@mahihkan.ca ///
The Ministry of Education and Child Care (the Ministry), together with First Nations Health Authority, BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, Aboriginal Head Start Association of BC, Métis Nation BC, and The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres are working to deliver a series of upcoming in-person and virtual engagements on Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care in B.C.
Purpose of Engagements
These engagements are intended to gather Indigenous child care providers, managers and leaders for a day of learning and relationship building. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about Ministry and Partner programs and resources, share best practices and celebrate successes, and to discuss current challenges and opportunities arising in Indigenous early learning and child care in B.C.
These engagements are also intended to help inform the Ministry in building affordable, accessible, quality inclusive child care under the ChildCareBC plan, of which Indigenous child care is a vital component. More about the Ministry’s commitment under the ChildCareBC plan, Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (CW-ELCC) and The Declaration Act Action Plan can be found in the attached backgrounder.
Who Should Attend?
There will be 4 in-person engagement sessions, hosted in the different regions of the province. Our sessions will offer two components over two separate days - a distinctions-based day for dialogue specific to First Nations AND a shared space for all Indigenous ELCC colleagues to come together to explore topics that are important to all. Holding space for BOTH conversations is an important step in responding to feedback received.
Distinctions-Based Day for First Nations – Day 1
Offering dialogue and sharing specific to early learning and child care in First Nations communities. Managers, administrators and/or employees of a First Nations early learning and child care program are encouraged to attend, along with First Nations Leadership. First Nations and First Nations early learning and child care practitioners are encouraged to attend both days.
All-Indigenous Day – Day 2
Shared space for First Nations, Urban Indigenous, Métis and Inuit early learning and child care colleagues including managers, administrators and employees, to come together to explore topics important to all.
Why Attend?
These engagements are a great opportunity to connect with peers to discuss the foremost matters impacting Indigenous early learning and child care in B.C.
In addition, Early Childhood Educators will receive a certificate for 6 hours, which can be used to apply for professional development hours towards certification renewal through the ECE Registry.
Participant Funding and Travel Reimbursement
Participant funding of $100.00 will be offered to participants. Those traveling from afar will be eligible to receive up to $400.00 in travel reimbursement. More information about travel reimbursements and how to book your hotel will be provided upon registering.
Participants are encouraged to attend a session closest to their community of origin.
Questions?
Contact events@mahihkan.ca
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*Due to limited availability, we kindly ask that participants attend one engagement only. The spring engagements follow the same agenda and conversations as the sessions that took place this past winter.*
**Participants must be living in BC or representing a BC based Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care organization, or Nation and/or community. If you are in doubt, please email events@mahihkan.ca to confirm your eligibility to attend**
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Your personal information is being collected by the Ministry of Education and Child Care under sections 26(c) and 26(e) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) for the purpose of engagement. If you have any questions regarding this collection of personal information, please contact the ChildCareBC Engagement team at ChildCareBC.Engagement@gov.bc.ca.
