dourned Ay Nn if z Day Erom Pace A7 Head start At Kitsumkalum, pro- gram co-ordinator Bev Azak lists the goals of the head start effort, which in- clude nutrition, parenting and school readiness. “There was a realiza- tion that things could be better for aboriginal child- ren at an earlier age, to get them ready for school before they got there,” she said. The idea of on-reserve head start programs grew from similar ones for off- reserve children and incor- porated models used in the United States. The push for such pro- prams came as a result of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in the last decade which identi- fied a number of chal- lenges and problems fa- cing aboriginal people. “Instead of spending money on royal commis- sions to say what our needs are, it would have been better to check with the people,” Azak noted. She stressed that paren- tal involvement is an all- important part of the deve- lopment of children and. operation of the program. The result is an oppo- site of the residential school system where children were removed from their parents and sent away for their education, Azak said. “This gives the parents control of the health and education for their children,” she said. Kitsumkalum’s program began the third week of May and will continue ‘ through the summer. - Each morning, a worker sets up a play and learning area on the floor of the vil- lage’s community hall for morning, aflernoon and after-school sessions supervised by Azak and two others. In both villages, the programs rely on commun- ity donations and support. ie ® National nationale des X\& Aboriginal Autochtones AND HERE are the children of the Kitselas head siart program along with their instructors, parents and elders. Nearly 20 children are registered in this program in morning and afternoon sessions. Gs National nationale des eM Aboriginal Auntoch tones NS Day is proud to support NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY We're here to help with any and all of your financial needs! TD Bank Financial Group 4633 Lakelse Ave. - Terrace, B.C., V8G 1R3 Phone: 635-8900 Fax: 635-8908 www,.tdbank.ca SONNY’S COLLECTABIES f— is a proud sponsor o National Aboriginal lin #875 = 4741 takelsa Ava Terrace, B, 5.VaG 4A9 ‘Terrace, B.C. Journée 0 National nationale des Aboriginal Autochtones Remembering our past, honouring our heritage and celebrating our futurel i di h nd ri ive nema eHair Styling Esthetics *Tanning Open till 7 pm Monday - Friday fammpmmeme 4652 lazelle Ave, Terrace \635- -4997 e 1-800-251-4997 / > TERRACE HEARING CLINIC LTD; The Hearing Professionals Suypyecrls cé: Congratuliates all tose erevoleel atte NVealttornel. Aovigtrel Day Tel: (250) 635-HEAR > ‘Fax: (250)635-6303 Visits to Smithers, Hazelton and Kitimat 1-800-811-1533 4731 Lazelle Ave.