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MMF celebrates ribbon cutting on new childcare centre in St. Laurent

Press Release

November 30, 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, in partnership with the Interlake Métis Association, held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Li Pchi Pwayson, at 40-space, culturally focused childcare centre in the historic Red River Métis community of St. Laurent, Manitoba.

“St. Laurent is a place where our heritage, history and language have been preserved for generations,” said Frances Chartrand, MMF Minister of Early Learning and Childcare, as well as Health. “To have our children learn about their language, history and culture in their homes as well as from their childcare providers can only reaffirm the pride they feel in their identity. Quality childcare matters and providing quality childcare that connects children to who they are is the most important groundwork of our Nation. As always, we do more than educate our children – we support the health and well-being of families through parenting programs, cultural education, flexible transportation options and nutritious meals and snacks.”

The centre will serve infant and pre-school aged children as a complement to the existing school-aged care centre the MMF is already operating in the community, providing a total of 70 culturally focused childcare spaces in St. Laurent. This represents an economic capital investment of $2.3 million by the MMF into St. Laurent, with 21-25 people employed across both centres.

“The MMF continues to invest in the towns and villages where our families live, work and play,” said David Chartrand, President of the MMF. “In some cases, the investments made by the National Government of the Red River Métis are the largest investments municipalities are seeing from any other level of government. We know these investments create benefit for more than just our own people – they benefit everyone in the surrounding area, through economic spinoffs brought about by the financial well-being of each family that can have both parents working – they can then invest their dollars into local retailers and tradespeople. Investments into childcare are just as important to economic reconciliation as any other sector, and the MMF maintains a strong position in the economic arenas – we are slowly returning to our historical place as the economic engine of the West.”

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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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