About Us

Initiated in 1995, the Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities program is an early intervention program for Indigenous preschool age children and their families living off reserve. The program is based on six core components: education, health promotion, nutrition, social support, culture and language, and parent/family involvement. The AHSUNC program is guided by Principles and Guidelines which indicate that AHSUNC projects are community-based to reflect the Indigenous values, cultures and practices of the project’s community by integrating Elders, cultural teachers, traditional and knowledgeable people in the design, development and delivery of the project. Additionally, AHSUNC includes the broader Indigenous community as part of the project throughout all stages, from planning to evaluation. Empowering parents, guardians, caregivers and those involved in AHSUNC to increase control over and improve their health. The Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities (AHSUNC) Program is a national community-based early intervention program funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Who We Are

Formalized in 2022, NAHSAC (“The Association”) refers to the organization, including both Council members and employees, as a whole. NAHSC (“the Council”) is composed of one representative (and one alternate) from each province and territory representing the collective views of sites in their region.

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Our Purpose

NAHSAC is built on the strength of 134 AHSUNC sites and guided by dedicated Council members. We bring regional needs to the national level and focus on creating opportunities that communities choose for themselves. In supporting the needs of each region on a national stage, the expectations and scope of NAHSAC’s strategic activity is to realize self-determined opportunities, program evaluation oversight, training, capacity development, partnership and advocacy.

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National Aboriginal Head Start Council Representatives

In supporting AHSUNC principles at a national level, the National Aboriginal Head Start Council (NAHSC) was created in 1997 to enable community involvement and reflect the unique needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and cultures. The National Aboriginal Head Start Council [NAHSC] is composed of one representative and one alternate from each province and territory representing the collective views of sites in their region.

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Annual Reports

Check back soon for new reports in this section.

Mandate

The NAHSC mandate is to provide authoritative strategic direction to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) regarding policy, programming, and funding allocation decisions related to the AHSUNC program. The NAHSC represents diverse perspectives and experiences and acts as the voice for Indigenous children, parents, families, and communities involved with the AHSUNC program. As such, the NAHSC also supports regional AHSUNC bodies in integrating community level knowledge and experience into regional decision-making processes to strengthen and improve the AHSUNC program.

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Vision Statement

“Building a Healthy & Strong Future for Aboriginal Children”

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