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Celebrating community itself as the leader

Indigenous scholar Dr. Margo Greenwood, a member of the Early Years External Advisory Committee, talks about what makes the program unique

In her own words

Rhea, a new mom in Maskwacis, Alberta, shares a Facebook post about her own experience of the program

Reaching rural and urban families

Collaborating with First Nations and the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate to adapt to needs in different communities, including Whitehorse

Getting to where you want to be

Annette Morin reflects on her journey of resilience: from mother of eight to helping new moms in Maskwacis, Alberta

Kokum 101

An Emineskin Cree Nation Elder on the powerful role grandparents play

Talking face to face

An Early Years Visitor shares a day in the life

Parent power

When families find a place within a broader social network, they also find strength and support. Early Years program participants Maria Littlechild and Lazarus Potts, and Tijua Omeasoo, their Visitor, discuss how the Maskwacis program provides support for moms and dads.

First Steps

Maskwacis Health Services in Alberta was the first Indigenous organization to launch an Early Years program with the Ermineskin Cree Nation in 2018. Registered nurses Charlene Rattlesnake and Heather Downie, share their experience developing the program.

From Visitor to mother

Melissa Puff, a member of the Ermineskin Cree Nation, is an Early Years Visitor who was also a program participant in Maskwacis, Alberta. She explains how the program focuses on relationships in order to model culturally relevant care for mothers like herself.

Language matters

The Early Years program in Maskwacis supports kids as they get ready to begin school, through the revitalization of the Cree language. Rebecca LaRiviere, former Early Years team member, and early childhood educator talks about supporting children’s emerging communication skills, confidence, and sense of cultural belonging.

Measures of success

Dr. Melissa Tremblay, Indigenous scholar and child psychologist at the University of Alberta, discusses developing a cutting-edge approach to case management and assessment for the Early Years program in Maskwacis.