IDEAL RED DEER Program TO HONOUR YOUR FAMILY’S CULTURE AND HERITAGE
The early childhood years are critical to healthy development, and they are also the ideal time to learn about our cultural histories. We prepare for the future by learning from the past. Honour your ancestral culture with a program specifically designed to observe Indigenous traditions. The phrase, Wichinahin Kohopikiwan, sourced from the Plains Cree language, translates to “helping me grow,” and represents the spirit of the program at large.
QUESTIONS ABOUT PROVINCIAL SUBSIDY – WE HAVE ANSWERS
WICHINAHIN KOHOPIKIWAN – Cultural Learning Centre
Operated by the Red Deer Child Care Society, the Wichinahin Kohopikiwan program originated in 2007, with the guidance of our Indigenous Elders, and is funded and connected to the Family Resource Network. The program uses a holistic approach to encourage cultural involvement for children and their family members with Indigenous heritage. Children, as young as newborns, are welcome to come with their parents to promote growth and development together. Once a child reaches 19 months of age, they can be transferred into a playschool class.
Playschool program
With the key goal of respecting the historical culture and using traditional teachings to offer quality care to children, the playschool program offers services to children between the ages of 19 months and 5 years. Children with Indigenous ancestry benefit by honouring the past while preparing for the future with our respectful program. Children and family with Indigenous heritage learn about their cultural histories through a positive lens, teaching pride in Indigenous identity and making efforts to preserve this beautiful culture in a fun and accessible manner.
Click to take a virtual tour!
Take a virtual tour of our playschool. Simply click on the play button to get swept away into a 3D tour of the Helping me Grow playschool. Visit our classrooms, take a peak outside, and get a birds-eye view of our entire facility.
