MNBC Announces $400,000 to Chartered Communities for Métis early years programming

Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) is proud to announce funding of $400,000 for Métis Chartered Communities for Métis early years programming. The investment, made possible through funding from the Government of Canada’s Ministry of Employment and Social Development, will provide communities with opportunities to create early learning programs that focus on Métis culture and language, traditional Métis parenting, early childhood development and family drop-in programs.

The investments will support Métis Chartered communities to provide programming that is essential to addressing the impacts of the pandemic and beginning the journey to recovery. The funding, which will see a tiered approach to distribution, will be provided to Chartered Communities similar to how COVID funding have been dispersed.

“We know our Métis Chartered Communities are strongly equipped to help support our Métis children,” says Debra Fisher, MNBC Minister of Education. “We’ve heard loud and clear that they need, and want, more financial supports to meet the needs of our children, and I’m proud that as a Nation we are equipped to make this investment.”

“Child care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “The pandemic has made it abundantly clear that better access to high-quality and culturally-appropriate early learning and child care is necessary to ensure every child, including Métis Nation children, can have the best possible start in life.”

The funding builds on the Ministry of Education’s continued support of Métis children and families. In addition to the Métis Family Connections Programs, MNBC recently launched the Miyoopimatishihk (Wellbeing) Program to Métis families enrolled in the Métis Family Connections Program. Through the program, Métis families have been able to apply for a wide range of services, including respite care, speech therapy, assessments, mental health support and educational and cultural support.

MNBC is committed to continued support of Métis families throughout the province by providing culturally relevant, self-empowering programming and services that focus on developing and maintaining strong Métis families and communities across the lifespan, beginning at birth.

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