The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
A casual observer might assume that Katie Kawerski oversees your everyday preschool. But that's simply not the case. True, the Sweetgrass Aboriginal Head Start program does teach youngsters social skills, offers playtime and keeps them fed with plenty of snacks. Beyond that, however, there's a strong cultural aspect to Head Start, based in the basement of the Friendship Centre. Staff offer what they call "cultural programming" ? traditional aboriginal activities like beading, sweetgrass braiding and making dream catchers. "Cultural programming is very important," says Kawerski, the Head Start director. "It gives people a sense of self and who they are and where they've come from." Indeed the children haven't been the only learners. Kawerski says she and her staff have been fascinated by what they've discovered about aboriginal culture from their involvement. Whether it's the cultural aspect of Head Start or its close-knit atmosphere, Kawerski says school teachers tend to notice a difference in children who have gone through the federally-funded program. "We've had some really good reports from teachers about the kids that they know came to Head Start. They see a difference," she notes, adding that this is true of many children who attend pre-school. Head Start, which does not require a registration fee, offers two programs: pre-school three times a week for children ages 3-5; and parent-child days twice a week. Registration for the 2004-05 year will be held on Sept. 7.
