Since November 2019, the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate (YFNED) and MFI have been working together to develop a model of the Early Years specific to the unique contexts of Yukon First Nations. 

YFNED implements Early Years programming through culturally-adapted training and resources and a variety of activities including home visiting, group gatherings and preschool programming, reaching Indigenous families throughout an expansive geographical area. YFNED offers Early Years programming alongside a variety of other wraparound services.

Steered by the Chiefs Committee on Education, YFNED was launched in the summer of 2020 in response to the long overdue need for unified control over First Nation education in the territory. YFNED is dedicated to capacity-building, systems and resources development, second-level educational programs and services enhancement, and learner supports.

YFNED advances First Nation decision-making and aspirations for control over education, providing technical support, research and advice for Framework Agreement processes, and advocates for First Nation student success across the system.

Melanie Bennet: Introducing the YFNED Early Years

In this video, Melanie Bennett, of the clan of Tr’ondёk Hwёch’in First Nation and Executive Director of YFNED, discussing the importance of early years and programming that holds children at its center for upholding First Nations ways of knowing and being. 

FEATURED RESOURCES

Toolbox Cards in Action

Discover the creative packages YFNED Early Years Visitors have put together to go along with Toolbox cards.  

Newsletter: The Importance of Reading Together

Read this newsletter put together by Bree Josie, YFNED Early Years Visitor, which highlights the importance of reading with your child and shares a few practical tips on how to do so. 

YFNED Early Years Toolbox Roleplay Scenario Cards

Explore this resource created by YFNED Early Years staff during a professional development session, designed to facilitate roleplay using Early Years Toolbox cards. 

The Training & Resources for Early Education & Schools (TREES) Network is a space for delivering and accessing culturally appropriate training, professional development, resources, communities of practice and mentorship opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous early learning professionals working with Indigenous children and families.

By coming together across communities, organizations and cultures, we can impact the bigger picture of Indigenous early education, child assessment and policy in Canada, so that Indigenous children will grow up proud of their culture and knowing that they belong.

The vision of the TREES Network is for early learning professionals to feel supported through training, resources and connections with others. The TREES Network strives to support early learning professionals to ground Indigenous children in their culture, nurturing stronger communities.

ACCESS TRAINING

The TREES Network supports access to culturally appropriate training and professional development for early learning professionals through the Understanding the Early Years course and Early Years Toolbox workshops. View upcoming trainings and workshops for your community through the Events Calendar.

EXPLORE RESOURCES

The TREES Network supports access to the Early Years Toolbox website, as well as access to accompanying resources through the Early Learning Library. Your access to resources is determined by your organization or community affiliation. Explore the Featured Partners page to view resources created by and in collaboration with Early Years partners.

CONNECT WITH OTHERS

To promote relationship-building and relational learning, the TREES Network provides opportunities for early learning professionals to build connections across the country. You can check out the Events Calendar to find events related to the early years, view the Interactive Map of early years services in different regions, or learn more about Supportive Circles as spaces to come together with others locally or across communities to share thoughts, ideas and support.

CREATE IMPACT

The TREES Network strives to create spaces through which we can collectively impact the bigger picture of Indigenous early learning in Canada. Learn about how Early Years sites are doing this through Early Years approach innovations, and about the important work many other organizations are doing to influence policy, curriculum, access to funding supports and program evaluation.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.