Honouring Our Indigenous Partnerships
Indigenous Partnerships
At Shuswap Children’s Association, we are honoured to walk alongside our Indigenous partners—Secwépemc Child and Family Services and Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn Society—in delivering A Pathway to Hope, a program that supports early years mental health and behaviour through Indigenous and Family supports.
Walking Together in A Pathway to Hope
A Pathway to Hope is British Columbia’s 10-year roadmap to improve mental health and wellness across the province. It places a strong focus on:
- Early childhood development
- Culturally safe, Indigenous-led services
- School-based mental health supports
- Community-based initiatives
- Expansion of First Nations-run treatment centres
Our local partnerships reflect these priorities while honouring Indigenous knowledge systems, upholding cultural integrity, and centering Indigenous voices.
Our Supports
Delivered in a playgroup setting it is a welcoming space where children and families can connect, learn, and grow together through fun and meaningful activities inspired by Indigenous traditions.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Time on the land – learning from nature and spending time outdoors
- Creative activities – painting, crafting, and making art together
- Storytelling and traditions – sharing stories and learning about culture
- Seasonal fun – activities that change with the seasons and what families are interested in
- Hands-on learning – building skills through everyday tasks and cultural practices
We create a safe and caring space where families can feel supported, children can explore, and everyone can grow together. Activities are always changing to match the time of year, what families need, and what children enjoy most.
Working in Collaboration
Through ongoing collaboration with our Indigenous partners, we continue to:
- Nurture relationships built on trust and respect
- Uphold cultural integrity and traditional knowledge
- Strengthen ties to ancestry, identity, and community
- Ensure Indigenous leadership guides the path forward
We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to walk this path together. Our commitment is to listen, learn, and grow in partnership with Indigenous communities—creating spaces where healing, belonging, and cultural pride are at the heart of everything we do.