DISCUSSION 3 – Diversity
Understanding the diversity of families in our communities is critical in order to best serve
them. Hamilton is located close to Six Nations Reserve and ECEs practicing in the area must be
aware of the diverse needs of Indigenous families in the community.
For this discussion you will:
1.
Read the following sections of the Indigenous Early learning and Child Care Framework
(2018)
Gender and Family Diversity (p. 22)
Serving Families Where They Live (p. 23)
2.
Reflect on the reading from the framework:
1.
What are two new ideas you learned about working with families in Indigenous communities?
a.
Diversity in Gender and Families: The framework says how important it is for Indigenous
communities to recognize and value the diversity in gender and families. It says that
Indigenous families may have different sets of rules and that ECEs need to be sensitive to
and include these differences. This means knowing the different jobs and responsibilities
in families and being open to the idea that families can be made up of different people.
b.
Serving Families Where They Live: The framework also tells you how important it is to
offer services that are based in the community and meet the specific needs of Indigenous
families. It shows how important it is to work with others in the community to make sure
that early childhood education programs are accessible and relevant to different cultures.
2.
Why is it important for you to understand the needs of families in Indigenous communities?
a.
It’s important for cultural competence, to know what Indigenous people need. ECEs
should know about and respect the customs, beliefs, and practices of the different groups
they work with. This cultural competence is necessary to make sure that Indigenous
children can learn in a safe and welcoming setting. ECEs can talk to parents and
caregivers in a good way when they know and understand the different needs of
Indigenous families. ECEs can build trust and work with families to help kids grow in all
areas by recognizing and understanding the cultural background. When it comes to
services, different Indigenous groups may have different wants and needs. When ECEs
know about these specific needs, they can make their services fit the wants of each
community better. This method makes sure that Indigenous families can not only get their
kids to early childhood education, but also that it is useful and important to them.
3.
How can you access more information?
a.
Community engagement can help you to get more involved with the Indigenous people in
your area is a great way to learn about their wants and needs. This can be done by going
to neighborhood events, taking part in cultural activities, and getting to know people in
the community.
