Indigenous groups open, expand childcare centres

Three new childcare centres have recently opened in British Columbia. Métis Nation British Columbia announced the opening of the Island Métis Child Care Centre, which will deliver culturally safe childcare to Métis and urban Indigenous peoples in the Greater Victoria area. Meanwhile, in Langley, a new Aboriginal Head Start centre run by the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society (LFVAS) has opened at Parkside Centennial Elementary. The program will have elders on site and will ensure that children with higher levels of need are supported by part-time Aboriginal infant development workers. Kwseltkten Services Society’s Eagles Nest program has also shared that it has become an Aboriginal Head Start program. The program offers childcare to children up to five years old at no charge to parents, and teaches the traditional language, the medicine wheel, and seven teachings.