First indigenous-run family center in London, Ontario. opens its doors – London


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A soft opening for the Nshwaasnangong Childcare and Family Center took place Thursday morning, marking the launch of the first Indigenous Family Center in London, Ontario, along with one of the city’s first Indigenous Childcare Centers.

Dozens were in attendance as officials greeted the new multipurpose site on Hill Street with ceremonial prayers, drums, dances, and speeches.

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Nshwaasnangong’s licensed childcare center will welcome children ages 0 to 6 and has 88 places in a space that aims to honor and express the diverse identities of the indigenous peoples.

The family center will also offer culturally relevant EarlyON programs locally in Nshwaasnangong, on websites across the community and virtually via Facebook.

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Nshwaasnangong is the result of a collaboration led by the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Center (SOAHAC), which has partnered with the City of London and the Ontario Department of Education.

The idea came from an indigenous planning committee called Journey Together, which was founded in 2017.

After consulting with local Indigenous families in London and Middlesex Counties, Journey Together discovered a shared dream it wanted to make a reality with an Indigenous-run, culturally relevant center that could offer programs for children and families.

The following year, a proposal for a childcare and family center was adopted by the Ministry of Education. The property that used to be the St. John Catholic French Immersion School was then purchased by the City of London for $ 1 million before being transferred to SOAHAC.

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“We saw a place where we can revive our language, honor the teachings of our ancestors and live in balance with Mother Earth,” said Jan Martin, director of indigenous relations at SOAHAC.

The center was given the name Nshwaasnangong in an Anishinaabe naming ceremony by Richard Assinewai, a healer from Wikwemikong, a First Nation in Northern Ontario. The name means in Anishinaabemowin “place of the eighth star”.

“(Nshwaasnangong) refers to the original eighth star in the Big Dipper that fell to earth and became the Anishinaabe people,” added Martin.

“The name honors us with a great responsibility for caring for and sharing the gifts of the heavenly world, including culture, teaching and language for children and families who will attend the center.”

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Indigenous-run company Two Row Architect incorporated indigenous cultures and teachings into the design of Nshwaasnangong.

“(The facility) has a very unique design, purposely shaped like a turtle to communicate with everyone on Turtle Island, and with a domed roof that is lower in some rooms to keep children safe” said Martin.

The interior offers plenty of natural light shining through a ring of windows near the ceiling so that children “can experience the time and the change of seasons and help them understand the cyclical nature of the indigenous worldview,” added Martin.

Nshwaasnangong Garden is also rich in lush green spaces where children can learn about gardening and farming. Playpens with wooden elements can also be found on both sides of the facility.

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Emmaline Beauchamp, language consultant for Anishinaabemowin at Nshwaasnangong, says the space will meet needs that were not previously met.

“We all know how many intergenerational trauma the indigenous peoples of Turtle Island live with,” said Beauchamp.

“In this room we hope to share regenerative healing, regenerative learning, regenerative love with humility, truth, honesty, courage, love, wisdom and respect.”

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Thursday’s soft opening also included comments from Ontario Minister of Education Stephen Lecce, whose department, along with the federal government, helped fund the establishment of Nshwaasnangong.

“You, the taxpayer, have invested over $ 5.8 million in capital on completing this incredible project on top of your running capital to provide families and children with the quality childcare opportunities they deserve. “Said Lecce.

Registration for childcare in the center is almost 60 percent full, and the places are expected to open in mid-October.

First Nations, Metis and Inuit families can register for a childcare waiting list on the Nshwaasnangong website.


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Meaningful ways to celebrate Canada’s very first Day of Truth and Reconciliation


Meaningful ways to celebrate Canada’s very first Day of Truth and Reconciliation

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