Linda McDonell

Building: 305 Room: 462
Phone: (250) 740-6267, Local 6267, Fax: (250) 740-6256
E-mail: Linda McDonell
Web site: http://www.viu.ca/chairaecd/
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTxZkHpcwOw

Linda McDonell’s role as BC Regional Innovation Chair in Aboriginal Early Childhood Development (AECD) is built on community vision, reflected on campus and in First Nations communities with an emphasis on strengthening the quality, accessibility and cultural relevance of education and professional development opportunities in First Nations programs.

“Children’s early experiences strongly influence how they develop and ultimately the health of the community,” says McDonell, whose involvement with early childhood education began as owner-operator of a nursery school in Victoria.

With a BA, School of Child and Youth Care and MA, Faculty of Human and Social Development from the University of Victoria, McDonell’s career as a post-secondary instructor at Vancouver Island University (VIU) began in 1994 with the launch of the First Nations Early Childhood Education and Child and Youth Care at the Cowichan Campus. It was a partnership project with Cowichan Tribes, University of Victoria and Malaspina University-College (later VIU). Aboriginal communities have built upon a historical commitment to the healthy and holistic development of their children as a strong foundation to the health of communities. Many Aboriginal communities have shown leadership in recognizing the importance of the early years of life to sustaining language, tradition, culture, and the spiritual life of their communities.

VIU and the BCRIC AECD Chair plan, with community support, to build on the work that was started in earlier consultations to ensure that community experience and knowledge will inform and advance educational opportunities at VIU for the professionals – in particular Aboriginal professionals – who will work in programs and agencies with Aboriginal children and families.

“The focus of the chair will be on refining training programs that will enhance the capacity of individuals working within the community to work with children and families to support their growth and development,” says McDonell.
Among the goals of the chair are:

• Contribute to improve the cultural and local relevance of educational programs for Aboriginal professionals.
• Contribute to increase the number of well-trained Aboriginal professionals working with children and families in Aboriginal communities, organizations and agencies.
• Support First Nations professionals to fill leadership positions in Aboriginal communities and academic and other institutions.
• Positively influence the health and well being of children, families and community.