MMF and Manitoba to announce $1M funding support to train Ukrainian newcomers for child care careers

August 1, 2023

Winnipeg, MB, in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis - Today, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the National Government of the Red River Métis, alongside the Province of Manitoba, announced one million dollars in funding for the MMF to educate and employ up to 25 Ukrainian newcomers to work in the child care profession. The announcement was made in Dauphin, Manitoba by Frances Chartrand, MMF Minister for Early Learning and Child Care, and Wayne Ewasko, Manitoba's Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning.

"It's fitting that we hosted this announcement in Dauphin, where you can plainly see the shared history of Ukrainian Manitobans and the Red River Métis," said Minister Chartrand. "We are happy to invest in the education of our new neighbours and welcome them into our Homeland, as our Ancestors did. Not only does this initiative meet the needs of Ukrainians coming to Canada for a new life, it helps address the systemic and widespread shortage of trained child care professionals."

The MMF is actively creating new child care spaces and facilities, with a total of 9 currently open, and another 7 under construction, along with an additional 8 coming in the next few years. The MMF anticipates employing 200-300 childcare professionals when all Red River Métis child care centres are completed.

"Our government's commitment to expanding and enhancing early learning and child-care programs across Manitoba is important, and the $1 million we are providing for the Ukrainian Refugee Child Care Training Initiative will make a real difference in Manitoba," said Minister Ewasko. "We are proud to invest in this important project with the Red River Métis, which supports both Manitoba's refugee population as well as growing the early learning and child-care workforce."

This funding announcement builds on an MOU between the MMF and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Manitoba (UCC), signed in June of this year. The MMF welcomes this announcement with the Government of Manitoba, as the funding will help achieve a shared vision across all three partners - that of educating and employing qualified people to work in the child care profession, as well as providing stable, well-paid careers to Ukrainian newcomers fleeing the war.



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Believe in Yourself; Believe in Métis.

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is the democratically elected National Government of the Red River Métis, also known as the Manitoba Métis, the origin and core of the historic Métis Nation. The Red River Métis is a distinct Indigenous People and Canada's Negotiating Partner in Confederation and the Founder of the Province of Manitoba.

For more information, media may contact:
Kat Patenaude
Media Relations Advisor
Manitoba Métis Federation
204-801-7710
Kat.Patenaude@mmf.mb.ca

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