Tumikuluit Saipaaqivik, Iqaluit's Inuktitut-only daycare, has opened the doors on its new location in Apex.
The daycare was under threat of closing its doors in spring of 2024 after 18 years before funding was found for its renovation and continued operation.
Jenna Sudds, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, was on hand for the ribbon-cutting event late last month and said it was an exciting moment to be a part of.
"The signing of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement in 2022 invested $66 million to support the creation of 238 childcare spots at just $10 a day," she said.
She also said she's heard from parents in the North about the importance of creating child care spaces for Indigenous people and designed by Indigenous people.
"That allows these children like the ones I'm sure that will be attending this centre right here to grow in spaces that reflect their culture, their values, and acquire the traditional knowledge," she said.
Premier P.J. Akeeagok, who's the MLA for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, the riding where the daycare is located, said it was a special day.
SA国际影视传媒淛ust to see the whole community come out for something so special, and it shows you just the importance of this announcement," he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey needed to secure a place where the challenges around housing, among other things, were at the forefront. I'm very pleased to be here not only to see the incredible building come to light, but also all the wraparound supports that go into early childhood.SA国际影视传媒�
Education Minister Pamela Hakongak-Gross said the work done by the YWCA and Tumikuluit Saipaaqivik made this all possible.
"This project is a result of an exciting partnership between two nonprofit organizations that demonstrates that we can accomplish what this great thing when we work together. They ensure that each child is supported, nurtured, and empowered to learn, play, and grow in a way that reflects our values and culture."
Iqaluit Mayor Solomon Awa said having a daycare in Iqaluit that provides Inuktitut language programming in essential.
"We need to revitalize, and we need to keep the language alive," he said. "Investing in childcare is investing in the future. It means a stronger family, a stronger workforce, and a stronger community by ensuring more families have access to reliable childcare."
