Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation opens early learning and child care centre

Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation officially opened the Waasakwa Children’s Centre, a long-envisioned early learning hub fostering Anishinaabe identity.

A significant milestone has been reached on Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation, west of Sudbury, Ont., with the official opening of the Waasakwa Children’s Centre. This community-driven, licenced early learning and child care facility is now operational, offering more than 40 spaces for children from 18 months to six years of age.

Plans are also underway to launch a before- and after-school program in the coming academic year.

“Currently, the centre is opening its doors for community members to have the opportunity to gain access to child care for their children,” said the centre’s manager Amanda Rose.

“So, working and studying community members within Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation.”

Long-held community vision

The establishment of the centre fulfills a decades-old vision first brought forward by a group of women in the community during the 1980s. Although it took more than 30 years to come to fruition, Gimaa Craig Nootchtai confirmed it remained a persistent priority for the Nation. He emphasized the centre’s role in fostering cultural identity from the earliest years.

“It’s like how we’re going to ensure that our kids are going to be raised in an environment where they will learn all about Atikameksheng and who they are as Anishinaabe people,” said Nootchtai.

“That’s so important to make sure that they have a strong identity and belief in who they are.”

Innovative tech supporting language revitalization

A key feature of the new centre is the integration of innovative technology designed to promote Anishinaabemowin language acquisition. The facility utilizes chameleon pens, which are interactive tools that audibly share language when touched to specific materials.

“We’re grateful to have community members that have programmed those pens and share their language to then expand within our center,” said Rose.

“We have maps of the area. We have children’s books that can be read in English and then re-listened to in the language, which not only help our children gain the knowledge and retain the language, but our educators.”

Future expansion envisioned

Looking ahead, Nootchtai outlined the potential for expanded services, noting that while about 350 members live within the First Nation, a larger population of about 1,200 resides in the nearby Greater Sudbury area. The Chief said there is hope that the centre’s offerings can eventually extend to serve off-reserve members.

Concurrently, the community leadership continues to pursue broader educational advancements, with officials working towards the long-term goal of constructing an elementary school within the community.