Lexi Saldaña
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Daily Herald
Adjacent to the Early Learning and Child Centre (ELCC), sits Ma Faamii—a community-based and resource network established by Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S), which opened its doors for the first time Friday afternoon in order to connect local Métis citizens with essential social, economic, health, and family services.
With a grand opening ceremony, a community barbecue, and live performances, the Prince Albert location marks the organization’s fourth site, alongside Saskatoon, Yorkton, and North Battleford.
“Prince Albert is an urban centre with more than 5,000 Métis citizens registered here,” said Sherry McLennan, MN-S Western Region 2 Regional Director and Emergency Minister. “PA was on the radar right off the hop. We are so blessed to have it.”
Individuals and families are offered the centre’s services such as connecting citizens to federal, municipal and community programs, Métis citizenship and verification, resources for housing, mental health and counseling, as well as access to the $10-a-day 90-spot availability Early Learning Childcare Centre.
“Everything is fully operational now. The Early Learning Childcare Centre has 90 spots—34 babies, 34 toddlers, and then 34 pre-school,” explained McLennan.
A component of the grand opening was unveiling a portrait of Taya Sinclair, a 24-year-old Métis woman and mother of two whose remains were found in Prince Albert.
“I just wanted to acknowledge Taya’s family. It was very nice with them coming here, being able to meet them. We have so many of our women who are going missing and it’s not just women, it’s our men too,” McLennan said. “But acknowledging Taya for finding her remains in the backyard of our centre, knowing that she was Métis and that she was the Prince Albert resident, we will always acknowledge her and we will put her picture up in our site and never let her be forgotten.”
Additionally, she noted that Métis Nation provides local programming catered toward Métis peoples.
“The locals provide programming that is given from the feds or the province to have educational classes like self-defense classes, awareness classes, and survival classes,” she said.
Following the reveal of Sinclair’s honorary painting—created by Métis artist Victoria Beahm—was a special raising of the Métis flag at the entrance of the building.
“We’re starting to build onto the edge of town. Our city is getting bigger, so we’re just developing our different size of town. I don’t think there was any real specific space that we had, but there was an opportunity to have this development and we are trying to make it into a Métis community,” McLennan said.
Evident through the community support at Friday afternoon’s grand opening, Ma Faamii is an essential centre for Métis citizens as it serves as an important resource support through connecting Métis locals to all Métis Nation-Saskatchewan services and programs.
