INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION, TOGETHER.
Children build stronger connections to their community when those connections are part of everyday life.
At Chickadee, community connection is built into programming. Children aren't just participating in activities with community partners; they're getting to know the people, places and resources around them, building trusted relationships, and discovering different ways of learning, living and belonging.
Sometimes our kids go to where the learning is already happening. Sometimes community members come to us. These experiences make community connection feel natural and familiar, helping children build the confidence to navigate and participate in their community beyond Chickadee.
It takes a community, and we want every child to feel like they belong in theirs.
COMMUNITY IN ACTION
When people share their time and talents, we can do so much more for our kids than we could ever do on our own.
Our community is full of people with something to teach. Every partnership gives children new mentors to learn from, new activities to try, and richer ways to connect with culture, the land and the world around them.
If you have skills, knowledge or experiences you would love to share with children, we would be happy to hear from you!
Story Telling
Music
Art or Crafting
Land-Based Knowledge
Woodworking
Media/Design
Science and Technology
Language
Cooking or Food Skills
Movement, Wellness or Hands-On Activities
Community Knowledge or Lived Wisdom
Story Telling Music Art or Crafting Land-Based Knowledge Woodworking Media/Design Science and Technology Language Cooking or Food Skills Movement, Wellness or Hands-On Activities Community Knowledge or Lived Wisdom
SEE HOW CHICKADEE KIDS ARE GETTING TO KNOW THE PEOPLE AND PLACES THAT MAKE UP THEIR COMMUNITY.
Spending the day at Łiwe Camp, put on by Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning
Spending time at Hide Camp
Visiting our friends at Avens
Fun experiments and chats about food systems with our friends from U of Guelph
Learning Traditional games from youth leaders
OUR PARTNERS
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![Green and white logo with yellow elements featuring the word "AVENS" and a stylized plant or flower design.]()
AVENS
This partnership offers intergenerational programming, including crafts and activities that bring NEST children and AVENS residents together. Activities have included children creating and painting items for the AVENS garden, which supports creativity, relationship-building, and connections between generations.
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![Black background with gold ornate crown and feathers, text reads 'Est. 2021 Gwich'n Luxury'.]()
GWICH'IN LUXURY
A strong supporter and advocate for Chickadee NEST, contributing Gwich'in language, art, cultural knowledge, and Indigenous perspectives to programming. Through this partnership, children have opportunities to explore cultural identity and creative expression while learning from Indigenous knowledge and experiences.
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![A circular logo with a gold border featuring a pine tree with roots, an eagle above the tree, and the text 'Tree of Peace Friendship Centre' surrounding the image.]()
TREE OF PEACE FRIENDSHIP CENTRE
Provides cultural guidance, and community connections. This partnership also creates opportunities for cultural learning, Indigenous-led programming, resource sharing, and Community Sharing Circles that bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous families together to build relationships and learn from Elders and community knowledge holders.
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![Logo of Yellowknife Public Library with stylized text on a light background.]()
YELLOWKNIFE PUBLIC LIBRARY
The library has been a constant partner, providing NEST with space to support learning, encourage creativity, and offer children opportunities to connect with community resources.
SHARING WHAT WE KNOW
What we learn at Chickadee can help strengthen the community around us, too.
Working alongside community partners creates opportunities to share approaches and build greater understanding of how neurodivergent children participate, communicate and learn.
We build on that learning by offering practical training, coaching and workshops for organizations looking to improve inclusion and accessibility. We share real-world strategies tailored to your team and the people you support.
WE COVER TOPICS LIKE:
Trauma-informed support
Sensory-friendly spaces
Adaptive communication
Inclusive program design
TEAM UP WITH US
Partnerships at Chickadee can be big or small, one-time or ongoing.
Share your skills, collaborate with us, or invite Chickadee to support your team or community. There are lots of ways we can work together. If you have an idea, even an unconventional one, let’s talk!