Aug 13, 2019
Vancouver, BC – A Langara College project to enhance Early Learning and Childhood Curriculum (ELCC) with Indigenous content has received funding from the Canadian government. The Langara project is an exciting partnership between Langara College, Musqueam, and the YMCA of Greater Vancouver.
The project, Indigenous ways of knowing in early childhood education language and literacy training, will enhance Langara’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program by embedding specific Musqueam content and reflecting Indigenous ways in the professional development of early childhood educators.
“This is an exciting opportunity to continue to strengthen our relationship with the Musqueam, and create a legacy that will inform our ECE practitioners for years to come,” said Kelly Sveinson, Chair, Langara College Applied Research Centre.
The project aims to deliver the Indigenized course in the spring, 2020. It will increase practitioners’ knowledge and deepen appreciation for Musqueam history, culture, and Indigenous ways of knowing. It’s expected that 50-100 early childhood educators annually will learn about the complicated history of the Musqueam in Canada, the impact of colonization and the TRC Calls to Action, therefore informing their practice as early childhood educators.
The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of Defence and Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, was on campus to today to make the announcement. The Langara initiative is one of three early learning and child care innovation projects in Vancouver to receive nearly $470,000 in funding.
The other two projects being funded are:
- Go play outside! Risk reframing tool for early learning and child care by the University of British Columbia. This project will offer accessible professional development training for ELCC educators to deliver music education and will produce a support toolkit.
- Transforming Early Childhood Education through Music by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music Society. This project will develop and test an ELCC risk reframing tool to address ELCC issues, needs, and challenges in encouraging outdoor risky play.
“The skills children develop as part of their early learning experiences are critical to their success. Partnerships — like the ones we’ve forged with Langara College, the University of British Columbia and the VSO School of Music — will help ensure more children have the bright future they deserve,” said Minister Sajjan.
These projects are supported by long-term Government of Canada investments announced in Budgets 2016 and 2017, totaling $7.5 billion over 11 years to create more high-quality, affordable child care across the country. Of this amount, $100 million is going towards early learning and child care innovation, including an investment of $10 million over two years in 2018-19 and 2019-2020.
About Langara College
Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 23,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as 'house of teachings', a name given to it by the Musqueam people on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located. Langara is celebrating its 49th year on West 49th Avenue with Beyond 49, an integrated celebration, alumni engagement, and fundraising campaign to reconnect with alumni, and raise funds for student support and important College initiatives.
Learn more.
Mark Dawson
Manager, Public Affairs
604.323.5702
mdawson@langara.ca
