The Early Years
The Early Years supports Indigenous innovation, resilience, and know-how by working with communities and organizations to co-develop programs that optimize early childhood development.
About the program
Every child in Canada deserves the opportunity to reach their highest potential, but despite sustained efforts by Indigenous communities, historic underfunding of essential services has led to substantially poorer health and educational outcomes, substandard housing, high unemployment, and the over-involvement of child welfare services.
To break this cycle, we believe that Indigenous communities must have direct control over their own services. Indigenous parents must be honoured and held up as their children’s first, best, and most important teachers. We are committed to working alongside communities, leadership, and governments as they navigate existing funding structures, create sustainable service infrastructure, and develop early learning programs.
The Impact
The future of any society depends on its ability to nurture the healthy development of the next generation. By providing a variety of catalytic supports to Indigenous communities across the country, the Early Years is accelerating and amplifying their efforts in the process of change.
By connecting expectant parents with experienced mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles, and grandparents, we are working towards a healthier future for Indigenous children.
Our Role
Locally based staff at organizations that partner with MFI use early childhood research and expertise from Indigenous leaders to support families across the country through pregnancy, the toddler years, and the first years of school. An external advisory committee and the knowledge of community and organizational leadership offer ongoing guidance.
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See AllExplore MFI’s virtual learning hub called The Training & Resources for Early Education & Schools (TREES) Network. TREES is a space for delivering and accessing culturally appropriate training, professional development, resources, supportive circles and peer mentorship opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous learning professionals working with Indigenous children, students and families.
Collaborate with MFI
We invite all Indigenous-led organizations to connect with us. We are excited to learn more about the well-being outcomes you wish to advance for the people in your local school, community, or organization.
Support the Mission
Join MFI in creating new pathways with Indigenous Peoples that lead to a more just system by funding the critical efforts to get there.