New child care facility in Swan River creates economic opportunity for town and culturally focused education for Red River Métis children

November 4, 2022

Winnipeg, MB, in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis - Today, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) celebrates the grand opening of the Elbert Chartrand Child Care Centre, a 40-space centre designed to serve infant and pre-school children, which will provide quality, culturally focused programming for Red River Métis children in the area, create employment and allow parents to get back to their workplaces.

Frances Chartrand, Minister of Early Learning & Child Care at the MMF, has been leading the way on these facility openings.

"This is our eighth new child care centre in Manitoba over the last few years," said Minister Chartrand. "These centres ensure our children will grow up with pride and understanding of who they are and what it means to be Red River Métis. The centres also offer permanent and well-paid employment for child care workers, which creates economic spinoffs like giving families an income that can be used to purchase or upgrade homes, save for their children's education, or perhaps even pursue education themselves - that's the vision we're working toward in all our regions."

The centre will offer programming that celebrates Red River Métis culture, language, and heritage. Along with daily education that includes meaningful activities and land-based learning field trips, the Elbert Chartrand Child Care Centre will facilitate numerous parenting programs, including Little Métis Literacy Program, Super Dad, Super Kids and Nobody's Perfect Parenting.

"We know that these centres can make a significant difference to our families and the communities they live in," said Minister Chartrand. "Healthy children need healthy and vital communities. By taking care of our children in this way, we are taking care of the future of the towns and villages we live in, as well as the future of the Nation."

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Believe in Yourself; Believe in Red River 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 Métis Nation. The Red River Métis are Canada's Negotiating Partners in Confederation and the Founders 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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