Culture brought to daycare children in Regina
- Michelle Lerat | May 28, 2018
Ann Perry is thrilled the Circle Project Culture Connection for Kids program will continue.
Perry, Regina’s Circle Project Executive Director, recently signed a contract with the National Indian Brotherhood, securing funding to run the program for another year.
“I want every single kid that has come through our [daycare centres] to walk into school on the first day like they own the place,” she said. “[So] they have that strong sense of identity and that pride in who they are.”
Perry was unsure of how they would continue their program but she knew she had to have faith.
“[Trust] that the Creator will take care of us if we’re doing the right thing for the right reason,” she said.
The 6-month pilot program was self-funded by the Circle Project – a non-profit organization. When Perry approached the Circle Project council with the proposed budget of $50K, the council gave approval without hesitation.
“They were absolutely 100% behind it.
“Part of the reason [Indigenous] kids are not graduating is when you have a loss of culture and a loss of identity,” she said. “That’s going to have an impact…that’s one of the most important things that’s missing from the Indigenous community.”
Tyrah Morris, assistant director of Circle Project Infant and Toddler Centre, said the outcome of the 6-month pilot of the program has “been very, very positive.”
There are many outside supports brought in to teach the children. They have pow-wow instructors, drumming and singing instructors and an elder that comes in every 2-weeks. She talks to the children, tells stories and helps with the language.
The children have been introduced to the four medicines and have learned what they are used for and also had the opportunity to smell them. They use the tipi teachings where they learned what each pole represents. They also learn how to speak Cree.
During parent nights, parents come in to help make the jingles for the skirts and cuffs for the boys. They also incorporate teachings on respecting Mother Earth and the importance of Water.
Morris stresses, “It’s not taking away from what (children) need to learn on a daily basis like their A, B, C’s or counting but it’s adding in their culture.”