The Government of Canada and the Métis National Council and Governing Members are proud to jointly release the Métis Nation Early Learning and Child Care Framework

September 22, 2018 Winnipeg, Manitoba Employment and Social Development Canada

The Government of Canada is working with Indigenous partners to strengthen culturally appropriate and accessible early learning and child care to provide Indigenous children a solid foundation for future success. Dan Vandal, Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface—Saint Vital and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, jointly highlighted the Métis Nation Early Learning and Child Care Framework with David Chartrand, President of the Manitoba Metis Federation. The Métis Nation Framework is a distinct component of the new Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework.

Attending the opening ceremonies of the Manitoba Metis Federation Annual General Assembly, Parliamentary Secretary Vandal recognized the importance of a distinctions-based approach in ensuring that the rights, interests and circumstances of the Métis Nation are acknowledged, affirmed, and implemented. The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework supports a distinct Métis Nation Framework that represents the unique vision, goals and priorities of the Métis Nation.

The Métis Nation has a vision for early learning and child care in which Métis children and families throughout the Homeland are provided with culturally-relevant, self-empowering programming and services that focus on the development and maintenance of strong Métis families and communities across their lifespan, beginning at birth.

Implementation of the Métis Nation Framework will be a collaborative effort over several years, through ongoing, open dialogue and mutual effort with the many organizations, governments, and sectors involved in supporting improvements and changes to the governance, structures, systems, policies and content of early learning and child care programs and supports for Métis Nation children, families and communities. The Framework highlights the importance of partnerships and collaborations that are undertaken in a climate of mutual respect, relationship building, renewal and cooperation.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada believes that all Canadian children deserve a fair chance at success. Today’s opportunity to highlight the Métis Nation Framework is great news for the creation of a culturally appropriate approach to early learning and child care that will provide Métis Nation children with a solid foundation for future success. I look forward to our collaboration to support the implementation of the Métis Nation Framework as part of our nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship, as well as our shared commitment to joint policy development and to better supporting the distinct needs of Métis Nation children and families as set out in the Canada-Métis Nation Accord.”
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“Culturally appropriate early learning and child care that reflects the unique needs and priorities of Métis Nation children and families is important. The Métis Nation Framework honours our continued work together to strengthen Métis Nation early learning and child care.”
– Dan Vandal, Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface—Saint Vital and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services

“We are proud of the work our Métis Government has done over the last year and invite you all to help us mark our progress. It gives us great pride as the Metis nation to see our very own, Parliamentary Secretary to Canada’s Minister of Indigenous Services, Dan Vandal, a Métis citizen, work so hard to become a member of parliament in Canada. There has never been a better time for building a stronger relationship between the Government of Canada and the Métis Government of Manitoba and hopefully he will not forget where he comes from and will keep the Métis as part of his vision for Canada.”
– David Chartrand, President of the Manitoba Metis Federation

Quick facts

Supporting early child development can have long-term benefits that can extend throughout children’s lives. Research shows that there are positive relationships between quality early learning and child care, parental labour market participation and child development outcomes.
The Métis Nation Early Learning and Child Care will promote the healthy growth and development of children and families through experiences grounded in Métis culture and community ways while Métis-specific wrap around services, programs and policies will support their ongoing well-being.
The Framework captures the views and recommendations of the Métis National Council and its Governing Members based on the advice and input received through extensive engagement and co-development in 2017.
The Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework is supportive of and consistent with the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Canada-Métis Nation Accord.
In support of the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, the Government of Canada is committing up to $1.7 billion over 10 years to strengthen early learning and child care programs and services for Indigenous children and families starting in 2018–19. This is part of the commitment of $7.5 billion over 11 years the Government has made to support and create more high-quality, affordable child care across the country in Budget 2016.

The Government of Canada and the Métis National Council and Governing Members are proud to jointly release the Métis Nation Early Learning and Child Care Framework

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