Cultural Learning Program

Participant Prerequisite:  Aboriginal children, age 2 to 5 years and their caregivers. Anyone meeting this prerequisite may attend this program.

To apply to our JOH Program, please fill out a registration form.  Download registration form.

Program Description

Journeys of the Heart Cultural Learning Program (JOH) is a ten month program for Aboriginal children aged two to five years old and their families. The program nurtures a child's cultural identity while preparing them for the education system. JOH will provide children and their caregivers the necessary skills and tools to promote a positive transition into the public school system.

Philosophy

The philosophy of the program is to provide opportunities to foster the intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical development of Aboriginal children, support parents as primary teachers of Aboriginal children, recognize and support the traditional roles of extended family members in the education of Aboriginal children, and maintain that the program works with and has the support of local community programs.

Needs Addressed

There are no other cultural learning programs in the Greater Victoria area that address the needs of urban Aboriginal children ages three, four and five and their families.

Program Services

In addition to the many cultural and artistic activities offered, stage two of the Kwen'an'latel program provides information from an Aboriginal perspective on the following topics:

• Telling Our Stories, Self Awareness
• Addictions & Parenting
• Colonization & Residential School Healing
• Trauma & Parenting
• Communication Skills and Boundary Setting
• Breaking the Cycle of Violence
• Grief & Loss
• Positive Parenting & Child Development
• Life Skills
• Nutrition
• Self-Care & Identity

Goals

• Aboriginal people will feel more empowered and demonstrate an increased capacity within their community.
• Fewer urban Aboriginal families will be investigated or children removed due to parenting challenges or academic struggles of the child.

Outcomes

Statistics show that Aboriginal children have a higher rate of success in the mainstream school system if they are able to attend programs that prepare them for school and that provide culturally appropriate programming.