Herein we provide a literature synthesis pertaining to the state of Aboriginal early childhood education in Canada. We identify key features of quality Aboriginal early childhood programs. The background and significance of early childhood education for Aboriginal peoples is explicated. Cultural compatibility theory is employed as the philosophical basis to conceptualize quality Aboriginal early childhood education. Based on this theoretical premise, we suggest Aboriginal early childhood programs should incorporate Aboriginal pedagogy, be infused with Aboriginal language and culture, be adequately staffed by qualified Aboriginal educators, be structured to empower Aboriginal communities and incorporate full-day kindergarten. Prominent Aboriginal early childhood programs are featured within the article.

Post-secondary institutions have a critical role to play in addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action through indigenization strategies (TRC, 2015) but, to date, it has proven challenging. In this study, the research lens was expanded to focus on First Nations-affiliated post-secondary institutions, since these come closest to providing authentic approaches to indigenization. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how social support affects the academic persistence of First Nations and Métis students at a First Nations-affiliated post-secondary institution. The findings revealed that administrative and pedagogical practices, consistent with Indigenous ontologies, enabled students to respond to challenges stemming from the generational effects of colonization, and promoted individual and familial advancement, cultural growth and identity formation, community development, and Indigenous sovereignty. It is concluded that mainstream institutions can benefit from the findings as First Nations-affiliated post-secondary institutions provide valuable understandings of potential transformations toward indigenization.

The Roman Catholic Church faces significant challenges in fostering effective adult religious education in contemporary social and cultural contexts. This challenge is particularly acute in western societies and the Church is currently reflecting on how best to respond. Here it is suggested that insights from communities of practice theory and contemporary educational leadership theory have potential to foster effective adult religious education in parishes. Catholic educational institutions, and many other types of Catholic organizations. As an organizational form, communities of practice can exist within different models of faith communities and be established and integrated into existing structures. It is also noted that the Church has multiple historical precursors of communities of practice to develop adult religious educators and leaders. This article presents a preliminary conceptual exploration of how the Church might benefit from current communities of practice theory. It further considers how this might be appropriated and applied to promote the development of promising lay adult religious educators to enhance adult religious education teaching and learning as part of wider institutional renewal.

Despite the striking parallels in the educational experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, very

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