Module 1: The Principles of Early Learning

Demographics

Indigenous children represent a fast-growing demographic in B.C. While Indigenous peoples amount to 6% of the total population, Indigenous children make up about 10% of the child population. Students who self-identify as Indigenous compose about 11% of B.C. public school students.

Indigenous children live in a variety of community settings, including

• Rural
• Urban
• Remote
• On-reserve
• Off-reserve

Many Indigenous peoples move between cities and traditional territories to remain connected to cultures and traditions and to educational and economic opportunities.

Colonization has led to intergenerational trauma for Indigenous peoples. One result is that many Indigenous children are in the child-welfare system. Currently, more than half of children in government care are Indigenous.