Research Start-up Summary and Abstract:

Experiences in early childhood are fundamental determinants of lifelong well-being. In this project we will give voice to urban Aboriginal families and caregivers on what they believe is important to the well being of their young children. A methodology adopted from social psychology, called ‘echo’ enables the values and beliefs of the population of interest to be articulated. The population of interest is individuals working with or raising young urban Aboriginal children (ages 0-6 years) in the Greater Victoria Capital Region. The outcome is a unique and important perspective to inform early childhood services and practice.

A film depicting these themes, Echoes of First Nations and Métis Values, can be viewed:

• Victoria’s Urban Aboriginal Identity Population (2011, NHS)

  4.2% (14,200) of Victoria’s population identifies as Aboriginal, 5.5% (18,505) report having Aboriginal ancestry.
• 62.7% are First Nation, 33.8% are Metis, less than 1% are Inuit and 2.8% report having multiple or other Aboriginal identities.