The Wichinahin Kohopikiwan Cultural Learning Centre has been encouraging cultural involvement for Indigenous children and their family members for 15 years.
On Saturday, the centre, which operates a playschool program for children as young as 19 months old, celebrated its 15th anniversary at the Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre.
The phrase “Wichinahin Kohopikiwan” is sourced from the Plains Cree language and translates to “helping me grow.”
“This started as the Aboriginal Head Start Demonstration project back in 2008,” said Yvonne Peebles, program and family support manager at the Wichinahin Kohopikiwan Cultural Learning Centre.
“We’ve been honouring our Indigenous children and their families for 15 years now. We wanted to celebrate that and have a gathering. It’s a great way of connecting us together, sharing culture, supporting one another and connecting them together.”
Operated by the Red Deer Child Care Society, the Wichinahin Kohopikiwan program was created in 2007 and opened in 2008.
The goal of the playschool program is to respect the historical culture and using traditional teachings to offer quality care to children.
“They get to learn Cree and Michif language, and any other Indigenous language they express interest in,” said Peebles.
“Children can be with us for three to four years and now, with new Family Resource Network funding that we qualify under, we are able to have children as old as six. Until they go with Grade 1, they can continue coming here and have more years with us, which builds that strong foundation and connection with their culture.”
Early childhood years are critical to healthy development and the “ideal time” for young Indigenous children to learn about their cultural histories, according to the Red Deer Child Care Society.
The project’s first home was in the Golden Circle’s basement. It remained there until 2017, when it moved to Pines Alternative School. It moved again recently to Extendicare Michener Hill.
“We wanted to have our 15th anniversary celebration here at the Golden Circle because this is where it all started. This is kind of home for us,” Peebles said.
The celebration featured a drum circle, dancing, food and a piñata for children.
For more information, visit www.reddeerchildcare.ca/playschool.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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