How can we have conversations with our children about diversity and inclusion, early and often?
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For over 50 years, ParentChild+ has been working to strengthen inclusivity and diversity by partnering with parents to build school readiness in the homes of young children and their families. By committing to provide all families with reading materials that are diverse, inclusive, and culturally relevant, we are now prioritizing helping children to be rooted in their own identity, and develop a strong sense of self and understanding of others.
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In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we invite you to ParentChild+'s virtual series Windows, Mirrors & Doors, where children's book authors and advocates will lead us in a compelling discussion on indigenous representation in children's literature. The discussion will focus on First Nations people, and will shine a light on the impact representation has on the well-being and social-emotional development of indigenous children, and all children. It will highlight the importance of all children and families learning about indigenous peoples, beliefs and culture; the importance of indigenous children seeing themselves in the books they encounter; the ways in which we can equip parents and caregivers to access these books and share them with the children in their lives, and how we can all advocate for improvements in indigenous representation.
At ParentChild+, we believe representation and book selection can be a powerful step toward building a stronger, more equitable world.
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This event is free and open to the public. As you learn more about the impact that programs, like ParentChild+, have on families living in communities experiencing economic and health crises, we hope you will consider making a special contribution to our work here.
ParentChild+ Site Coordinator
Intercultural Children & Family Services
King County, WA
Rose is a wife, mother of four, and Naani of 2 grandsons. She has been involved in early learning as an advocate, Peer Mentor, Home Visitor, Early Learning Specialist, and now ParentChild+ Program Coordinator. Traditionally, she has been taught to introduce herself as being Haida from southeast Alaska.
Podcast Host
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Jennifer David is the co-host for the podcast, Storytellers,  which supports and promotes First Nations, Inuit and Métis authors and their books. She has worked in the field of Indigenous communications and consulting for 25 years. She was the Director of Communications for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and now works as a Senior Consultant for NVision Insight Group in Ottawa.
A proud member of Chapleau Cree First Nation, Jennifer was born and raised in Omushkego/Treaty 9 territory.
Author
Kevin Maillard is the debut author of Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story, a picture book illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, which won the Sibert Medal and the American Indian Youth Literature Honor. He is also a Professor of Law at Syracuse University, a contributor to the New York Times and a co-founder of Black Stream Partners LLC. He has written for The Atlantic and has provided on-air commentary to ABC News and MSNBC. An enrolled member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, he is based in Manhattan, NY.
Cherokee, Tlingit, Filipino Â
Gene has worked nationally and internationally mentoring, training, speaking, sharing stories, culture and facilitating healing. A board member and trainer with the Native Wellness Institute, Gene is also a cultural facilitation coordinator with Mother Nation, an organization providing cultural services, advocacy, mentorship and homeless prevention to Native women and families. Gene has been featured at storytelling festivals nationally and internationally and is a specialty instructor and honorary uncle with the Wilderness Awareness School.Â
ParentChild+ works in 4 of the 8 states with the largest Native American populations.
In 2020, ParentChild+ conducted visits in 30 different languages including multiple North and South American Indigenous languages.
3% of the families ParentChild+ works with annually are Native American and Native Hawaiian.
ParentChild+ is a national non-profit organization that uses early education and school readiness to support families living in marginalized communities and facing the largest opportunity gaps.
For over 50 years, ParentChild+ has worked with young families in immigrant communities and communities of color. Utilizing its research-based school readiness models, the organization engages parents as their children’s first and most important teachers, helping families to build educational opportunities and close the equity gap.
Today, ParentChild+ works with over 9,000 families with young children, across 142 locally-run program sites in the U.S.
