Syilx Early Years

“Our children are our roots and everything we teach them is their responsibility to carry on.”

Syilx Early Years provides support for front-line staff and coordination of cultural and language materials for the Aboriginal Early Childhood programs.

The Syilx Early Years (SEY) program has been in development since early 2011 and is funded by BC Ministry of Family and Child Development (MFCD). A Syilx Aboriginal Early Childhood Development (AECD) Strategy has been created and plans for implementations are underway.

The SEY Lead provides support for front-line staff and coordination of cultural and language materials for the Aboriginal Early Childhood programs within the Okanagan territory. Such supports include training pertaining to childhood development, as well as assisting in the development of these resources to ensure an Indigenous education for our young. The SEY Lead is in charge of building relationships in the territory between Aboriginal and mainstream programming, to create partnerships and identify areas of need and future funding opportunities.

The SEY Lead also supports the En’owkin Centre’s Syilx ECD certificate program.

Training is offered to groups and communities by request, and are provided on-site at both on and off-reserve communities.

Annual Early Years Gathering
AECE Assistant Certificate Training Opportunities
Management Support

Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Workshops
Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ)
Syilx Parenting Curriculum
Truth and Reconciliation

To learn more or to book a workshop, fill out the form and email to CF.Lead@syilx.org

North Okanagan

OKIB Health: 76 Head of the Lake Road (Upstairs), Vernon, BC 250-542-5094
Vernon Friendship Society: 2904 29 Ave, Vernon, BC 250-542-1247

Central Okanagan

WFN Health and Wellness: 1900 Quail Lane, Westbank, BC 250 768 0227
Kelowna Friendship Society: 442 Leon Avenue, Kelowna, BC 250-763-4905

South Okanagan

PIB Health: 841 Westhills Drive, Penticton, BC 250-493-7799 ext: 101 & 102
Friendship Society: 146 Ellis Street, Penticton, BC 250-490-3504

Resource Development

ONA has created, developed, and saved many Syilx cultural resources.

SEY can support you in requesting and signing out BCACCS Curriculum Kits which are designed to provide resources to educators and support learning and play for children. Currently, our drum, salmon, bear, owl, coyote, raven, and cedar kits are available for loan from the BCACCS Resource Centre in West Vancouver.

Please contact CF.Lead@syilx.org for support/availability/delivery.