The Need for Aboriginal HIPPY
According to Statistics Canada, 52% of young adults (20-24) living on reserve did not graduate from high school.
Because the history of colonialism has affected Aboriginal families and communities in Canada, Aboriginal families have only cautiously received educational institutions and curriculum.
The probability of living in poverty increases with less formal education. As poverty is integrally linked to low literacy, a concerted effort must be directed toward increasing and improving education outcomes and decreasing high school drop-out rates for Aboriginal children. And, efforts to undo the negative impact of colonization, including residential school and child welfare practices, must be enhanced.
Aboriginal HIPPY has created a setting for Aboriginal families to re-establish and embrace their traditional roles as parents and teachers of their children. As a community-driven and community-based organization, Aboriginal HIPPY is an expression of Aboriginal families’ and communities’ vision and strength to maintain deep cultural knowledge and passion by sharing teachings of their ancestors through its incorporation into education and learning. Aboriginal HIPPY provides the building blocks for Nation-building by teaching children while simultaneously empowering caregivers.