First Nations have an inherent and sacred responsibility for their children and families. Children hold a unique and sacred place in First Nations families, communities, and nations; they are gifts from the Creator. A First Nations ELCC framework must begin and end with children and their families, in the languages and cultures passed down through the generations, and through authorities governed by First Nations themselves for their own peoples and futures. They believe that children are imbued with the ways of knowing and being of their collectives, and in this way they ensure the survival of Indigenous cultures (Little Bear, 2000). 

First Nations envision a system of diverse, high-quality programs and services that lays the foundation for the health and well-being of First Nations children, provides choices for families, and revitalizes and supports the cultural continuity of First Nations communities and nations. This vision is achieved through a First Nations-led ELCC system of programs and services that are designed and governed by First Nations; rooted in First Nations knowledge, language and culture; guided by Indigenous practices in childhood development; and strengthened by partnerships with governments, service delivery organizations and community members.

First Nations propose the following principles and goals for a First Nations ELCC system:

1. A First Nations ELCC system of programs and services that is anchored in distinct First Nations knowledges, languages and cultures and responds to First Nations priorities, needs and responsibilities.
2. A First Nations ELCC system that is controlled and directed by First Nations, including authority and decision-making at all levels of policy development, and funding allocations and governance, with reciprocal accountability.
3. Well-funded ELCC programs, services and supports that are diverse and of high quality, as evidenced in children’s programming and learning, physical environments, Elders’ leadership, well trained staff who earn equitable wages, and family and community engagement. 
4. ELCC programs and services that are available, affordable, flexible and responsive to the unique needs of First Nations children and their families, including flexible funding approaches that respond to community needs and provide supports for children and families with diverse and exceptional needs.
5. Programs and services that are transparent and accountable.
6. Collaborations and partnerships that support the establishment of a coordinated, integrated First Nations-led ELCC system of policies, programs, services and supports, including national and regional linkages between relevant departments, governments, nations, and related sectors. 
7. First Nations capacity that is supported at national, regional and community levels to successfully establish and guide a First Nations ELCC system. 

First Nations priorities and strategic actions

First Nations have identified priorities and strategic actions over the short, medium and long-term for realizing change in ELCC structures, systems and programs. These priorities and strategic actions are likewise intended to achieve the goals identified above:

1. Create regional ELCC structures to support and coordinate First Nations governance in ELCC. Coordination structures would be determined and mandated regionally. 
2. First Nations leadership to guide and direct regional coordination and support for programs and services, community engagement, quality support, partnerships and accountability. 
3. Articulate a formal statement of quality for First Nations ELCC. 
4. Enhance and expand existing ELCC programs for First Nations children and families, and create new ones according to First Nations priorities.
5. Develop resources or curricula content for ELCC programs that convey the cultures, languages and developmental needs of children and families they serve.
6. Establish standards, regulations and licensing based in First Nations knowledge systems.
7. Create a First Nations human resource strategy that promotes and builds on the existing capacities of First Nations communities. 
8. Develop measures towards improved education and certification of early childhood educators in accredited First Nations ELCC programs, and provide culturally appropriate professional development opportunities for ELCC directors, managers, early childhood educators and other staff. 
9. Influence post-secondary institutions to include First Nations early childhood education ECE content and culturally appropriate curricula. 
10. Establish measures to maintain facilities in good repair and where necessary renovate or construct new ELCC facilities. 
11. Establish a process for ongoing community engagement to inform ELCC program and policy development and decision-making.
12. Develop appropriate and long-term funding approaches and processes that support a high-quality, regionally-based First Nations ELCC system with among its interconnected parts, based on communities’ needs and priorities, and with First Nations-led funding allocations that are determined by First Nations at the national and regional levels. 
13. Create and promote respectful linkages and partnerships at multiple levels and in varied contexts that support a coordinated system of ELCC programs and services for First Nations children and families.
14. Establish reciprocal accountability, research and evaluation frameworks to support promising practice and innovations in First Nations ELCC policies, programs and services. 
15. Support First Nations capacities development in ELCC systems, programs and practices at national, regional and local levels.