Miywasin opens one-of-a-kind children’s centre

“With the residential school era, the impacts of that on our families, there’s a need to go back to our culture, learn our culture, our language and regain that,” said program manager Chasity Cairns. “And so we wanted to have the opportunity to bring that back for our children so that it’s not just about the parents, it’s about the children as well to learn. So it was very important for them to have a space.”

Brand new cultural and age-specific programming such as crafts, music and storytime is being developed for children up to nine years old.

Cairns said the one-of-a-kind centre is tailored to Indigenous teachings and children and that it’s important for the children to learn about their culture and their traditions.

“If children got to daycare or early learning centre they don’t have Indigenous-based books, toys, anything like that and so that’s what children will get when they come here,” she said. “Everything is Indigenous-based. We try to do tribe specific or if they’re Métis depending on the identity of the child, so we try to incorporate that into the teachings.”

Miywasin did not get any new government funding for the centre and is asking for donations from the community to build the programs.

Donations of kids’ books, toys, stuffed animals and baby supplies are welcome.

You can call the centre at 587-554-6837 or visit the Facebook page for more information.

by Chris Brown

Miywasin opens one-of-a-kind children’s centre

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