A groundbreaking gathering of early childhood educators (ECE) is set to take place on April 12 in Saanichton, focusing on integrating Coast Salish cultural teachings and practices into early years learning.
Ada Mawson, organizer of the first-ever WSANEC Early Years Conference, came up with the idea during one of her regular early learning circles around the end of 2024.
“I live on the reserve, I live on Coast Salish territory,” Mawson explains. “We have so many amazing people in our territories, our experts and our children, so I want to highlight our own First Nations saying that this is who we are and how we are in our early learning world."
Mawson leads a dedicated planning committee of ECEs and community members who meet regularly at the Brentwood Bay Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) office.
The initiative is deeply rooted in restoring what was taken from communities through residential schools and other detrimental systems.
"It's about restoring and putting back what was taken from our communities," Mawson asserts. "It's our culture, it's our language, it's our identity, it's the land, it's the people, it's the knowledge keepers, it's the traditions, it's the culture."
Volunteer Angel Sampson emphasizes the crucial role of reconciliation in the conference's objectives.
"We want to be able to share our Coast Salish knowledge and way of being with all of the ECEs in the Greater Victoria area, as well as non-First Nations, to better understand who we are as Coast Salish people," she said.
Sampson believes this is where reconciliation truly begins, with educators fostering understanding and respect for First Nations culture.
Nicole Hietamaa, Saanich Peninsula CCRR resource coordinator, echoes this sentiment, recognizing the immense value of incorporating reconciliation into early learning practices.
"To be able to apply what they learned at the conference to their work and be more conscious of whether they have children from Coast Salish communities in their programs, to better support their education and learning, is truly a gift for those educators who are unaware," she said.
The conference also strives to bridge the gap between early learning programs and the school system, ensuring Indigenous children are supported throughout their educational journey.
Mawson also challenges the conventional colonial approach to education.
“From a cultural perspective, who's saying they're behind or delayed? Maybe they are not,” she posits, advocating for a shift from a narrow focus on reading and numbers to a more holistic, land-based learning experience.
"We want our children to know their ABCs, but I believe many of our nation's early learnings are land-based. It's about getting on the land, the ocean and the forest. It's about animals, trees and food and they learn those things more naturally."
WSANEC Early Year Conference 2025 features an all-Coast Salish roster of knowledge keepers and presenters, including Danielle Alphonse, BC regional innovation chair for Aboriginal Early Development and faculty member at Vancouver Island University’s early childhood education and care.
"Reclaiming our rights to knowledge sharing within our communities is significant," she emphasized. "This is about taking back our voices and our place on the land of our ancestors so we can continue to heal and support our families and children emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically."
Alphonse is one of eight speakers slated to address attendees.
"I appreciate the focus on the early childhood sector and its importance, specifically in how it intersects with Indigenous practices," she added.
She believes revitalizing local Indigenous languages in British Columbia is "critical."
"Studies have shown early brain development supports multiple languages; early childhood programs and educators have a responsibility to learn and be inclusive by supporting actively speaking the local Indigenous languages in B.C.," she explained.
Instead of a traditional keynote speaker, the conference will open with a knowledge keeper and feature four WSANEC knowledge keepers representing the Tsawout, Tseycum, Pauquachin and Tsartlip nations.
The event will also include several culture-based workshops.
According to Mawson, the conference will approach early childhood education from an Indigenous perspective, focusing on support and understanding.
"It's not about judging or criticizing, it's about meeting them exactly where they're at," she emphasized.
The ultimate goal is to create a positive impact on the lives of Indigenous children.
"If we do a great job in their early years, we're going to cut down on suicides, on kids dropping out, apprehensions and all the negative things that we hear about," Mawson said.
"We need to give them the best positive start we can, and this is where we start."
