We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs for Aboriginal families.
Why “Stalled”?
The National Progress Report on Early Learning and Childcare has not been updated since Aug. 22, 2019 and there has been no update on the Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Framework other than “Canada Country Background Report – Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care” released by Employment and Social Development Canada in July 2021 that explored:
- Early Childhood and Education and Care (ECEC) Quality in Canada
- Policy Context
- Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Workforce Development
The above report touched on the Indigenous Early Learning and Childhood Framework as part of a historical analysis.
April 19 – Budget 2021 – $2.5 billion over five years to build on the existing distinctions-based approach to Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care, with a long-term investment in Indigenous-led programming that parallels the government’s commitment to provinces and territories. This includes $515 million for before-and after-school care on reserve, plus additional support for First Nations programming and capacity-building as well as support for Inuit and Métis programming and capacity-building
Oct. 30, 2020 – Additional funding of $120.7M for Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Centres to support up to 35,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children.
Not all provinces and territories have provided details on Indigenous investments to support the federal Indigenous Early Learning Child Care Framework. The National Progress Report on Early Learning and Childcare released on Aug, 22, 2019 provides details on how provinces are investing federal funds to implement the program. BC, Ontario, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and the Yukon were the only province and/or or territory that provided any details specific to Indigenous initiatives.
Indigenous children are included with children with additional support needs, francophone children and recent immigrants. They represent an unknown percentage of 2,955 (14%) of the total of 21,205 new child care spaces created in 2017 – 2018.
April 30, 2019 – The Indigenous Early Learning Child Care Framework announced on June 10, 2017 was formally launched on Sept. 17, 2018. The Government of Canada, is committing up to $1.7 billion over 10 years to strengthen early learning and child care programs and services for Indigenous children and families starting in 2018-19.
- Over the next 10 years, up to $1.02 billion will support Early Learning and Child Care for First Nations and will be managed in partnership with First Nations.
- Up to $111 million will support early learning and child care for Inuit and will be managed in partnership with Inuit.
- Up to $450 million will support early learning and child care for the Métis Nation and will be managed in partnership with the Métis Nation.
Current Status
Stalled
Call to Action
last updated
March 25, 2024
Latest Updates
Indigenous-led Initiatives
Sharing land-based knowledge for generations – ELCC conference
NationTalk – For the third year in a row, the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) team hosted a successful conference in……
March 25, 2024
Govt. Commitments to ECE
Announcement of funding for Urban Inuvialuit to access Early Childhood Programs.
NationTalk: The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) is pleased to announce that Inuvialuit Beneficiaries living in Urban centers outside of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR), can……
July 25, 2023
Indigenous-led Initiatives
5 years on, Maskwacis, Alta., early childhood program celebrates community connections and benefits
Early Years offers wraparound services to families with children under 5 Echo Bull, a mom of three, sits with her youngest child, Braylee Roastings, on……
May 25, 2023
Govt. Commitments to ECE
New daycare in Fort Smith, N.W.T., opens with focus on culture and life skills
Daycare already has waitlist of more than 30 Kezia McDonald, a support worker at Fort Smith’s new daycare, reads a book with one of the……
March 29, 2023
Govt. Commitments to ECE
Call for proposals to help support high-quality Indigenous early learning and child care
NationTalk: Employment and Social development Canada – High-quality and culturally appropriate early learning and child care programs designed by and with Indigenous families and communities……
January 31, 2023
Govt. Commitments to ECE
Niagara College joins forces with three groups to train teachers of Indigenous students
A partnership between four groups has created a new pilot program at Niagara College to help train Indigenous early childhood educators for First Nations communities……
January 4, 2023
Govt. Commitments to ECE
Centennial College launches early childhood education program for Indigenous learners
NationTalk: TORONTO – Centennial College, in partnership with Native Child and Family Services of Toronto and Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services, is offering 25……
November 22, 2022
Govt. Commitments to ECE
Manitoba Government Partners to Create 1,200 New Child-Care Spaces in Rural Communities over the Next Year
Working Together Improves Access to High-Quality Child Care, Grows Communities and Economy: Stefanson NationTalk: The governments of Canada and Manitoba are allocating up to $70……
November 14, 2022
Indigenous response to ELF
Grand Council Treaty #3, the Kenora District Services Board, and Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board sign a Memorandum of Understanding
NationTalk: (Lac Seul First Nation – Grand Council Treaty #3 (GCT#3), the Kenora District Services Board (KDSB), and Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board……
October 5, 2022
Govt. Commitments to ECE
MN-S Early Learning Language Program expands to include all Regions and Cree
NationTalk: Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S)’s Early Learning Language program is expanding throughout the province. Six new school divisions are partnering with the Early Learning and Child……
September 20, 2022