Peter Sweeney, Commissioner of Community Services, introduced Staff and the Creating Culturally Responsive Child Care presentation. A copy of the presentation is attached to the agenda. He noted that in April 2024, Council directed Staff to collaborate with community partners to develop an Indigenous focused child care.
Barb Cardow, Director of Children's Services, provided a presentation on the proposed child centre at 30 Christopher Drive in partnership with the Healing of the Seven Generations. The objective is provide the community with an affordable child care program where Indigenous children and families could access wholistic, accessible, and culturally responsive child care. The funding from the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care program provided the opportunity to establish the proposed child centre at 30 Christopher Drive.
Amber Robertson, Social Planning Associate, acknowledged the works of Paula Whitlow, Director of Truth and Reconciliation, Stephanie Bryenton, Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor, and various Indigenous organizations that assisted Staff in understanding the needs of children whom are First Nations, Inuit, and Metis in our community. Staff identified that there was a lack of appropriate, safe, and high-quality space for culturally responsive child care and began exploring options for a non-profit organization partnership. The Healing of the Seven Generations expressed interest in creating the Region of Waterloo's first Indigenous-led child care program at 30 Christopher Drive. A. Robertson explained that the proposed program will provide 65 spaces for children aged 0 to 4. B. Cardow further explained that the Staff are seeking approval to enter into a 30 year lease agreement for 30 Christopher Drive in partnership with the Healing of the Seven Generations and will demonstrate the Region's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
Donna Dubie, Executive Director of the Healing of the Seven Generations, introduced Renata Richards, Assistant Executive Director, and Kelly Curley, Fire Keeper. K. Curley provided an Indigenous prayer of thanks and performed a smudging ceremony and tobacco tie offering.
D. Dubie acknowledged the importance of ensuring that Indigenous cultures are passed down to the next generation. She expressed support for the partnership for 30 Christopher Dr. to continue healing and that truth and reconciliation is an ongoing process. R. Richards echoed support for engaging the next generation to restore the culture and the partnership between the Healing of the Seven Generations for the child care centre at 30 Christopher Drive.
In response to the Committee, R. Richards and D. Dubie explained that the centre will culturally differ from mainstream child care centres. These difference include the daily structure, engagement with the children, language, food, and sacred fires. They further explained that the call to actions are about building relationships with each specific communities and that conversations are continual to remove systemic barriers and ensure safety of all.
In response to the Committee, R. Richards agreed that cultural centres for all ages is essential and the intention is to learn from this program and look for future opportunities to extend to more age groups.
The Committee expressed support for this initiative and suggested that this partnership liaison with other child care centres to look for opportunities for collaboration.
Responding to the Committee, R. Richards confirmed that residents can register to enroll in the child care program at 30 Christopher Drive by using the OneList Waterloo Region with a separated section for Indigenous-led child care programs. She further confirmed that this program will be available for residents Region-wide.