Hinton’s Head Start Program had a spooky day on Oct. 28, as kids ages 3 to 4 dressed up in costumes of all kinds for a Halloween party. 

Even Buzz Lightyear showed up for the fun-filled party that included a piñata, treat bags and more.

While the kids enjoyed the sugar and celebrated Halloween, the Head Start Program is fresh off a celebration of its own. Head Start had its first high school graduates receive their diploma recently, marking 14 years of the program. Seven students were presented with eagle feathers by local elders to go along with smaller feathers they received as children when they started the Head Start program.

“It was, I think, a proud moment,” said Yvonne Callihoo-Oshanyk, executive director of the Hinton Friendship Centre.

The Head Start program addressed a gap in education that saw many aboriginal youth unable to integrate into kindergarten.

“Prior to the Head Start program, a lot of them were not graduating,” Callihoo-Oshanyk said.

Now with the program coming full-circle, the results are noticeable. 

“They say in the schools they can tell who has been in the Head Start program,” said Vicky Arlidge, program co-ordinator.

Teachers of aboriginal youth felt some of the children entering the public school system lacked the socialization skills to properly begin school. With the Head Start program, aboriginal children are given the building blocks to interact with other children. 

“It’s not such a scary experience to go from Head Start to the big school system,” Arlidge said. 

When it comes time to start kindergarten, Head Start staff spend part of the first day of school with the children. 

The Head Start program has 40 spaces available; 30 for aboriginal children and 10 for children from low-income families or those with special needs. It is funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada and runs twice a day, Monday to Thursday, from September to June. Head Start has six components: health and nutrition, culture, language, education, social support and parental involvement. Speech pathologists and dental hygienists regularly visit the children, and a hot lunch and snack are provided. A free bus can also transport kids to and from the program that runs out of the Hinton Friendship Centre. During the day, kids do a craft, learn their 123s and ABCs during circle time, get exercise at the park and ride bikes. Each month the kids take a trip to the swimming pool or skating rink.

Aboriginal elders stop by occasionally to teach the children about First Nations culture, basic Cree commands and Saulteaux. They learn Metis jigs and have made bannock. Arlidge said the program is a great opportunity for the few non-aboriginal kids to learn about First Nations customs.  

For the Halloween party on Oct. 28, the Hinton RCMP stopped by for a talk about safety while trick-or-treating. Children who did not have Halloween costumes were lucky enough to have one provided for them. 

Recently one of the Head Start graduates, Kody Kwiatek, stopped by to hang out with the children. Arlidge said it was a unique opportunity for the boys to have a male presence. 

“Not all of them have a male figure,” she said. 

“The boys seemed to bond with him,” Callihoo-Oshanyk said. 

The program has been so successful that it is always full or nearly full. 

“A couple times we’ve had a little wait list,” Arlidge said. 

Right now there are enough spaces for all of the aboriginal youth. Arlidge was happy to say they have no requirement for First Nations background. Right now parents do not have to produce a status card.

“We have no criteria like that.”