Incorporating elders into Inuit daycares is important because they carry Inuit knowledge, language, and cultural values. By interacting with elders, children learn Inuinnaqtun naturally through stories, conversation, and daily activities during a critical stage of development.

Elders also pass on important teachings like respect, patience, and connection to the land, helping children build a strong sense of identity and belonging. Their presence strengthens community ties and reflects the Inuit tradition of shared responsibility in raising children.

Overall, involving elders supports cultural continuity and helps children grow up grounded in their Inuit culture.

My experience has been that Elders in the daycares is calming to the children and educators. Everyone learns from each other. My thoughts, d

Welcoming and including elders in the daycare is an important way to keep our traditions alive and strong. Elders can visit to share stories, teach singing and drum dancing, and show skills like sewing. They can also help children learn basic Innuinaqtun words.

By spending time with the children, elders can pass on their knowledge and wisdom, just as it has always been shared from generation to generation. This connection helps children feel proud of their culture and strengthens our community as a whole.

Colleen

I think it is very important to welcome and include elders to attend daycares/preschools facilities, to teach basic innuinaqtun, tell stories, teach inuit games, sewing, singing and dancing. Also it is very important to keep the traditions alive and thriving with our younger generation

-Jocelyn

Ada

Megan

We can invite elders to share stories and experiences, elders can visit the daycare to tell stories about their childhood, traditions, or life lessons.

Ask elders to come teach and show cultural and traditional activities, such as some Inuit games, teach songs, or teach crafts.

Ask for regular visits, different visits mean more activities, more stories, definitely would help children more about the Inuit culture.

Shalyne

It’s important that we get elders into the day care to teach the children by telling stories, teach them to drum dance, let them have snacks and tea with the children, sewing, singing,

Helps keeps the traditions going and teaching the younger generation so they can teach the next future children.

Camillia