June is Indigenous History Month.
As we honour and celebrate the legacy, heritage and traditions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples on Indigenous History Month, we must also recognize the ways colonialism continues to harm Indigenous communities to this day. We enter Indigenous History Month 2025 with heavy hearts, as we witness First Nations communities being devastated by wild fires in Manitoba and the attack on Indigenous and treaty rights in our own province as the Ontario legislature passes Bill 5.
Educational and welfare systems have caused unimaginable hurt (and continue to do so) upon First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities. As we continue building a Canada-Wide system of early learning and child care (ELCC), it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to ensure First Nation, Métis and Inuit children, families and educators feel safe, celebrated and empowered within the new system. Early childhood education and care play a critical role in healing and reconciliation.
June is Pride Month.
Pride is observed in June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising (New York City, 1969), and while Pride Month is currently known for being a time dedicated to celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, it is an important reminder that the world still isn’t safe for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, forcing children, families, and educators to hide key parts of their identities to protect themselves.
Early learning and child care programs can have a significant impact on 2SLGBTQIA+ children and families’ early experiences of the world. By promoting positive relationships within their communities, questioning pre-existing biases, and challenging harmful practices, early childhood educators and child care workers play a key role in creating safety for 2SLGBTQIA+ people to be their authentic selves. It is also important to recognize not all members of our community are in a position where they are able to live these values for a variety of reasons.
We step into June making space for celebration, reflection, grief and hope, as we acknowledge that the struggles faced by Indigenous communities and 2SLGBTQIA+ folks are rooted in the same harmful ideologies that continue to systemically undervalue education, pedagogy and care. It is crucial that we remind one another of the intricate connections between these issues and how they impact all our lives everyday. During this month and beyond, the AECEO is committed to supporting Indigenous leadership in building an inclusive, culturally safe ELCC system and to standing up for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
ECEs and child care workers play a pivotal part in building a kinder, more just world. With their skills, knowledge, intent and care, early childhood educators build the worlds that children and families experience. In order to build worlds where children and families can be seen, heard and cared for, ECEs and child care workers must be supported and well taken care of. As your professional association, the AECEO aims to continue creating safe spaces for our community to learn and grow together, and remains committed to fighting for the wages and work protections that reflect the important role you play in building safer communities for everyone.