A report of the Assembly of First Nations early childhood development national discussion / Margo Greenwood and Sarah Deleeuw

The purpose of this report is to document the Dcember 16, 2003 discussion on integration of federal early childhood development programs services serving First Nations children and their families by First Nations individuals from across Canada.

1. Introduction provides an overview of the Early Childhood Development Agreement and current initiatives affecting First Nations children and their families. -- 2. Reviews and highlights the statement of the Assembly of Frist Nations regarding Early Childhood Development for First Nations children. This includes overarching statements that place early childhood development initiatives in the context of self-government and self-sufficiency. -- 3. Background to First Nations Early Childhood Development Programs and Services in Canada: a glimpse of traditional First Nations child rearing practices, an examination of the importance of early childhood development for First Nations children, a review of the emergence of First Nations early childhood programs and services including recommendations and considerations from related early childhood development documents, and examination of the National Children's Agenda and the Federal government's proposed policy strategy of integration. -- 4. Methodology. -- 5. Themes from the Assembly of First Nations Discussion Groups. -- 6. Considerations and Conclusions.