NIHSDA as a professional organization promotes and supports high quality comprehensive early childhood development and education services for Native Americans in the United States and Canada.

We value the cultural uniqueness and diversity of Native communities and seek to preserve our Native identity through culturally appropriate and relevant family centered, child development and educational services.   We believe the Head Start model is the best fit for Native Communities.

Our Principles Are:

1. Cooperative, collaborative partnerships which empower stakeholders to advocate for young children and comprehensive early childhood services

2. Nurturing learning environments where childcare partners, community stakeholders, Head Start and Early Head Start staff develop into strong, articulate advocates for young children and their families.

3. High quality programs throughout the Indian Head Start Network that provides a continuum of early childhood services fostering individual growth and development of our children and families.

Source Document: NIHSDA Strategic Roadmap for 2008-2011