Amaka Amadike Executive Director of Between Cultures, has lived and worked across three continents. Her advocacy for culturally inclusive childcare began in 1999 in Ireland, where an unsettling experience with her toddler’s educator left a lasting mark. After finding her son strapped in a highchair, an educator remarked that he “doesn’t understand English.” Amaka and her husband had intentionally chosen to speak Igbo at home, valuing their children’s cultural identity. The comment revealed how little the educator understood about bilingual development and the importance of home language, raising concerns about her son’s sense of belonging.
Years later in Calgary, Amaka opened a day home and entered the early childhood sector. She also joined the early childhood work force as a frontline worker. She began noticing similar issues immigrant children face, such as being misunderstood, mislabeled, or devalued in learning spaces. Her career grew from frontline educator to leadership roles, but her mission remained the same: ensuring every child’s culture is respected and reflected in their environment.
Teaching Indigenous Early Childhood Education further deepened her perspective. Teachings such as the Medicine Wheel affirmed the importance of cultural and spiritual identity in a child’s development. Listening to immigrant parents share stories of discrimination in Alberta’s childcare system stirred her to act.
This led to the founding of Between Cultures, a movement advocating for culturally safe, inclusive early learning. What began as a painful experience in Ireland has grown into Amaka’s lifelong mission: that every child be seen, heard, and embraced for who they are—including their culture.
Between Cultures Foundation is a Calgary-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing equity and inclusion for Black, immigrant, and racialized children and families in early childcare settings. We respond to the growing need for culturally responsive childcare by supporting families who face discrimination, cultural loss, and systemic barriers. Our work centers on advocacy, education, and empowerment thereby ensuring families are equipped to navigate Canadian childcare systems while preserving their cultural identity and dignity.
Our mission is to bridge cultural understanding between Black, immigrant, and racialized families and the Canadian childcare system. We advocate for families to ensure their children’s rights are valued and respected within early learning environments. Also, we empower families to better understand Canadian childcare practices and children’s rights, helping them build the confidence to advocate for their children with pride and assurance.
A society where all children, regardless of cultural background, thrive in early learning spaces that honor their heritage, foster mutual understanding, and embrace the rich tapestry of global traditions through culturally responsive care and education.
NEXT EVENTS
Community Conversation: Experiences of Immigrant Children in Childcare
- NEXT EVENTS (Stay Tuned)
- In-person Workshops in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge