Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children. Out of their several meaningful and creative programs, we support their programs that help Aboriginal children in Canada.Canada is one of the best places to be born and to live. We have exceptionally low infant mortality rates, adult literacy stands at 99.9 per cent, and our system of universal health care is the envy of the world. But many of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples remain in the grip of poverty, psychological challenges and violence. Colonialism, residential schools, inequitable distribution of resources and geographic isolation have resulted in a range of devastating social and economic challenges for First Nations communities. Many families living on reserves continue to struggle to feed and protect their children.
By focusing on strengthening the experience of bonding, attachment and security between Aboriginal parents and their infants, Save the Children is helping to improve Aboriginal children’s chances of survival and overall mental, physical, and behavioral development. Because of residential schools, many First Nations children were never parented and few learned parenting skills as adults. As a result, many of today’s Aboriginal parents have difficulty forming bonds with their infants and responding to their infant’s need for security. Infants who are made to feel safe grow up to have better psychological and physical health, develop strong social relationships, and become better parents. These children are also more likely to develop a positive cultural identity and curiosity about the world.
To improve the bonding experience between parent and child in northern communities, Save the Children Canada has partnered with Dr. Jean-Victor Wittenberg, the Head of Infant Psychiatry at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, to work with Aboriginal parents to improve their sensitivity and responsiveness to needs of their children. Through our Supporting Security: Strengthening the Experience of Security for First Nation Mothers and their Infants project we are reaching some of Canada’s most vulnerable children on reserves in Northern Ontario.
You can read more about their work on their website or their handout for the Aboriginal Mother-Child Bonding Initiative.
