New childcare facilities in St. Laurent create economic opportunity for town and culturally focused education for Red River Métis children

September 20, 2022

Winnipeg, MB, in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis - Today, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) celebrates the grand opening of Li Pchi Pwayson School Age Centre, a 30-space centre designed to serve our children from Kindergarten to Grade 6. The centre 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.

In addition, the MMF also held a sod-turning ceremony for Li Pchi Pwayson, a 40-space childcare centre to serve infants and preschool age children in St. Laurent and area. Together, the centres in St. Laurent will employ up to 17 childcare professionals.

"This is our sixth - and soon to be seventh - new childcare centres in Manitoba over the least few years," said David Chartrand, President of the MMF. "Not only do these centres provide a good foundation for our children to understand who they are and what it means to be Red River Métis, they offer permanent and well-paid employment for childcare workers. This turns into 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 centres 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, Li Pchi Pwayson will facilitate numerous parenting programs, including Little Métis Literacy Program, Super Dad, Super Kids and Nobody's Perfect Parenting. The centre will also offer a transportation program and a nutritious culturally-appropriate meal program for all children.

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

"We know we can positively impact the prospects of our children in a way nobody has attempted before," said Minister Chartrand. "When we nurture our children's identity as Red River Métis, we instill pride and sense of connection with community. By taking care of our children in this way, we are also taking care of the future of the community and 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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