The entrance to the Miywasin Children's Centre at 526B Third Street SE. (Photo Courtesy Derek Brade)

By Chris Brown

Cultural and age-specific programming

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

Nov 17, 2021 | 3:22 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Miywasin Friendship Centre now has a dedicated space for the future to learn about the past.

Right across the street from the original centre on Third Street downtown, the Miywasin Children’s Centre is open and already welcoming kids.

With a growing Indigenous population locally the centre needed a new space for children.

“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.”

'Meet others with shared interests': Volunteers needed for growing Medicine Hat adaptive sports scene

May 02, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

Top 5 things to do at the Medicine Hat Public Library in May

May 02, 2024

'I saw a car get crushed': Crestwood students learn about the importance of metal recycling on field trip

May 01, 2024

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.