Honouring Indigenous wisdom for strong, connected communities
OUR ROOTS
When I first began working as an early learning specialist in rural and remote areas, I supported multiple Indigenous communities. For many schools and centres, it was the first time they had access to in-person, specialized early learning support. After years of relying on online activities and developmentally inappropriate models, there was a sense of hope and excitement about finally having someone available both on-site and online.
But the challenges soon became clear. The need for guidance in early childhood development—especially in creating activities to support physical growth, language, play, social skills, and cultural inclusion—was enormous. Caseloads were too large, distances too great. Despite my best efforts, I could only reach a fraction of the staff and children who needed help. I was stretched too thin. Something had to change.
From that exhaustion came clarity. I understand that real change would come not from one more overextended consultant, but from lifting up the strengths already thriving amongst Staff and Elders in each community.
At Circle of Courage Consulting – Early Learning & Child Care Services, our philosophy reflects this shift: moving away from “doing more” alone toward creating sustainable, community-led programs. We help communities establish their own early learning and child care programs, led by the adults already part of children’s daily lives.
Our team provides in-person assessments, individualized activity plans, and year-round support. Most importantly, we train and equip school staff so they can grow in skill and confidence within their own communities.
We are also committed to addressing the gaps in assessment and therapy tools, many of which fail to reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of Indigenous students. That’s why our resources are developed in collaboration with translators and language keepers—to honour every child’s identity, language, and culture.
I began this work hoping to make a difference. What I’ve seen is truly transformative: students now receive consistent, community-based support, and early childhood educators gain the skills and confidence they need. This is what happens when staff feel supported, communities feel empowered, and culture and language are celebrated.
This is what drives us. Not just to share knowledge and skills, but to reimagine how they are delivered, who delivers them, and who they truly belong to.
OUR CEO
Yengari McDonald is an Early Learning Specialist who works in partnership with Indigenous communities across Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
She brings extensive experience from a range of settings, including school divisions and Child Care Settings.
Yengari is a passionate and outspoken advocate for children and educators with limited access to ongoing specialized supports, and a catalyst for positive change in how services are delivered to
communities.
She is celebrated for setting a new standard of culturally responsive and community-driven early
learning & child care services.
OUR TEAM
Early intervention—supported by consultants who help maximize staff expertise and student development in the early years—has a direct impact on each child’s future success, both personally and professionally.
At Circle of Courage Consulting – Early Learning & Child Care Services, our team is made up of experienced, passionate professionals dedicated to care that is collaborative, culturally respectful, family-oriented, and child-centered.
Each member brings expertise in early childhood development and a deep commitment to learning with, and from, the schools and communities we serve. We are skilled in language acquisition and work continuously to understand the unique developmental needs of every child.
We don’t arrive with assumptions—we arrive with openness, committed to supporting each child in exploring their interests and reaching their full potential.
Our work is rooted in shared responsibility and strong community connections. We believe in building trust, strengthening capacity, and working alongside school and child care teams as true partners. For us, it’s not just about delivering services—it’s about co-creating programs that fit each community and create lasting impact.