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Cultural Gatherings in BC
 British Columbia is often at the leading edge of Seeds of Empathy’s work for and with Aboriginal people across Canada, and a recent example of this was the January Cultural Gathering at the K’ómoks First Nation Territory, Vancouver Island.
Photo: Elder Sharon Joe
Staff from ten Aboriginal Seeds of Empathy early childhood centres gathered to share and develop an Aboriginal Cultural Activities Resource as well as participate in professional development workshops. This resource illustrates how culture can be woven into the regular Seeds of Empathy programming while honouring program integrity. The Gathering was one more exciting step forward in ensuring that Aboriginal children participating in Seeds of Empathy feel their culture, ancestry and language are being respected, honoured and valued.
Photo: Friendship Dance
The Gathering began with a Traditional Welcome to the Territory. It ended with a Friendship Dance with drumming by Elder Sharon Joe from the Wolf Clan of Seabird First Nation and Seabird Island Preschool, honouring and celebrating the mutual learning and collaborative creation that had taken place.
In May, the Aboriginal Seeds of Empathy early childhood centres reconnected and the Aboriginal Cultural Activities Resource was shared. One centre staff member commented that "it was wonderful to see how cultural ideas become a reality in curriculum." Professional development workshops were delivered on two topics - Working with Temperament and Visual Literacy. When centre staff were asked to share how these topics will impact their delivery of the Seeds of Empathy program or how it impacted them, one person explained that they enjoyed "talking about how temperament affects not only the children but the baby as well. This is another tool that will help us to see our children in a new light. We know each child is different, but this allows us to better understand their temperament traits." About Visual Literacy, a centre staff member said that it "will be looked at much more closely with children as I now know that it will help them express their emotions artistically."
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Manitoba Launches Seeds of Empathy
In December 2010, Manitoba celebrated the official launch of Seeds of Empathy at the Four Feathers Aboriginal Head Start in Winnipeg. The festivities brought together government representatives and Early Childhood Educators along with Seeds of Empathy parents and babies to mark the introduction of the program in 31 early childhood centres, generously supported by Healthy Child Manitoba.
"We're taking the proven success of Roots of Empathy and will apply the same concepts of fostering social and emotional development to a younger age group," said Jim Rondeau, Manitoba’s Minister of Healthy Living, Youth, and Seniors.
L to R: Doug Martindale, MLA, Burrows District; Jenny Sanderson, Executive Director, Four Feathers Aboriginal Head Start; Jim Rondeau, Minister, Healthy Living, Youth, and Seniors; and Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister, Community Development, at the Manitoba launch event for Seeds of Empathy.
Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross added: "There is little that is more important in society than giving our children a strong start in life. By reaching these kids at such a young age, they will be starting off on the right foot and their readiness to learn as they enter Kindergarten will be enhanced."
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Gathering around the Lavender Blanket in Seattle
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During a Seeds of Empathy Family Visit, led by "tiny teacher" baby Nolan, children are learning to take the perspective of another, an invaluable skill. The preschool years do not just prepare them for success in school, but also success in life.
Photo: Stroum Jewish Community Centre, Seattle, Washington.
Message to Baby Madison from 4-year-old Ray in Alberta
Just prior to the winter holidays, Seeds of Empathy staff from the William Lutsky YMCA Child Care Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, started a correspondence via e-mails, letters and photos with their Seeds of Empathy family. This was a valuable literacy project and also helped build social and emotional learning for the children. Ray, one of the children at the centre, extended the correspondence to another level when he wrote an individual message to Baby Madison, showing us what a powerful influence Early Childhood Educators have on children's behaviours and values. Four-year-old Ray is making a joke in his picture with the play on words, I (eye) miss you!
"Dear Baby Madison, Eyes and I miss you. From: Ray"
- Ray, Age 4
Heartfelt Moment from Ontario
“One of the children in our centre, Dawson, has a younger sister in our toddler program. One day she was very upset. Dawson approached her and patted her on the back and said, ‘It’s okay to be angry.’”
- Charlene Sasyniuk, Rural Roots Children’s Centre, Thunder Bay, Ontario
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