Wichinahin Kohopikiwan Society (WKS) is an elary intervention playschool that welcomes children of Aboriginal ancestry who are 19 months to 5 years of age to attend a holistic play based program that provides experiences and opportunities for physical, social, intellectual, creative, cultural growth and development in a environment rich in Aboriginal culture, language and traditions that promotes the developments of a positive self esteem and a desire for learning. We provide Aborigtinal parents an opportunity to have thier child attend playschool which provides a social support worker to link families to culture and community resources in an urban centre.
Our program is based on the principle that the best interests of the child must be maintained in an environment where children learn that they have a right to live proudly as Aboriginal people in the lands of their ancestors. It is based on the Aboriginal people’s recognition of children as their nation’s most valuable resource.
At WKS we strive for a holistic play based experience to promote the social, physical, intellectual and cultural /spiritual development of each child in an environment rich in representing the diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Culture, Language and traditions. The staff, Elders and Aboriginal community see the centre as a place to build community, a place to start early intervention services, a place to nurture and guide children to life long learning.It is our goal to educate families on child development, health and nutrition,empower parents as their child’s primary educator and to have healthy families and children that are connected to culture.
The program was created in 2008. At that time we were an Aboriginal Head Start Demonstration project, we later registered our own society and developed an Advisory Board to guide our centre. We are currently administered by Red Deer Child Care Society with hopes of being a self sustainable nonprofit organization.
