Do Nàowo k'e Chekoa Hoahàaeto
Behchoko Aboriginal Head Star
(Formally know as Fort Rae)
c/o DCSB
bag 5
Behchko, NT X0E 0Y0
Tel: (867) 392 - 6078
fax: ( 867) 392 - 3001
email
Welcome to the Do Nàowo k'e Chekoa Hoahàaeto, now known as the "Behchoko" Aboriginal Head Start program. The center first opened it doors in 1999. It is located in a small T'licho community of Behchoko (Formally know as Fort Rae), just 100 kilometres west of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada.
The Aboriginal Head Start program provides an opportunity for 32 children to participate in one of two half-day preschool programs we offer at our centre. Dene and Metis children from Behchoko and Edzo attend the center where they speak T'licho and English.
We employ three staff members deliver and administer the Aboriginal Head Start program: Elizabeth Ekendia, Hilda Football, and Marlyss Richardson.
There is a strong traditional focus to the program that is imbedded in the daily classroom activities. T'licho language and culture permeates the entire curriculum. There are many activities held on the land such as: fall fish camps, sliding camps in December, traditional spring and winter camps. The children learn how to make dry meat, dry fish, collect traditional medicines and food, check snares, skin rabbits and muskrats. They will listen to old-time stories told by our Elders, take nature and eat various kinds of traditional foods like bannock, Labrador tea, cranberries, fish, caribou, muskrat, beaver, and rabbit.
Every Wednesday is T'licho Day, a day where the children are exposed more fully to T'licho culture.
Aboriginal Headstart has made an enormous difference in the lives of community children. They are able to interact with many different children and are given a sense of regularity and consistency that allows for a much easier transition into school. They are exposed to many new activities, different environments and language development that they may not receive outside of school. The children who will need extra assistance with school are also identified earlier and therefore steps can be taken to aid both the child and parents from the beginning.
Improvements which the children have demonstrated over the course of the year include: an increase in their language, social interaction, fine motor and gross motor skills, ability to follow a daily routine and speech production clarity.
CHILDREN'S RESPONSEWhat do you like the best about coming to this school?