Child Care and Development Fund, Report to Congress for Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003
NATIVE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
There is a strong emphasis on traditional culture and language in Tribal child care settings, which is usually reflected in a Tribe's program activities. For example, in a number of Tribal communities, parents place their children with Tribal child care providers or relative providers, where the child's heritage and culture will be emphasized. A 1998 HHS Office of Inspector General report on Tribal child care found that most Tribal families prefer to have neighbors and relatives care for their children.
In a 3-week period, children from Alaska's Ninilchik Traditional Council's after-school program read close to 2,300 pages. They are eager and ready to learn, as depicted in their innovative "reading circle."