Ontario is promoting child and family programs in First Nation Communities

Indigenous peoples in Canada, also known as Indigenous Canadians or Aboriginal Canadians, are the indigenous peoples within the boundaries of present-day Canada and they comprise the First Nations

“First Nation child and family programs are important hubs for quality early years services...gives families better access to early learning programs for kids...FN communities with culturally-relevant support and services that help to build strong families and strong communities,” Indira Naidoo-Harris, Ontario's Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care was reported as saying.

Ontario is investing up to $23.5 million over the next two years in child and family programs to support FN children and their families including ongoing funding to help increase access to culturally relevant child and family programs on-reserve.

Providing necessary support, advice, personal connections, as well as a network of resources and play- and inquiry-based programs for young children and families is part of Ontario's 'The Journey Together: Ontario's Commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples'; it aims  to address the legacy of residential schools, close gaps and remove barriers to reconcile relationships with Indigenous peoples.

Expansion of child and family programs in FN communities will be supported by Ontario’s initial investment of $7.5M  to foster positive relationships between quality early learning, child development outcomes, and a parent’s ability to work.

David Zimmer, Ontario Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation said, "These investments are a step toward a broader child care and early years strategy for Indigenous communities in Ontario and are connected to the government’s vision where children and families are supported by a system of responsive, high-quality, accessible and increasingly integrated programs and services.”

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

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