Education: Early Learning | K-12

On March 6, 2019 the government of Canada and the Métis Nation entered into a ten-year Métis Nation Early Learning and Child Care Accord with the goal of implementing the Métis Nation ELCC Framework. The overarching goal of Métis Nation ELCC Framework is to create and enhance early learning programs and supports for Métis children and their families, that is anchored in Métis culture and responsive to the unique needs of Métis children and families.

ELCC Framework

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

One of the most effective ways to ensure that Métis learners, families and communities are reflected in educational institutions is by connecting Métis Chartered Communities with their school districts and post-secondary institutions. The strongest relationships are those built in the community. MNBC supports Métis Chartered Communities by focusing on strengthening provincial and federal relationships and developing educational resources that are Métis specific. The Métis Nation Relationship Accord II and the Canada-Métis Nation Accord identify education as priorities for improving the lives of Métis people.

Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) recognizes that to achieve educational success, Métis learners need to see themselves reflected in the education system. This begins in early learning, (kindergarten to grade three) and continues in secondary school and later in post-secondary education. Their Métis culture and heritage need to be recognized and respected.

EMAIL:

Early Years: metisearlyyears@mnbc.ca

K-12: metiseducation@mnbc.ca

Early Learning and Child Care Professionals: ecesupports@mnbc.ca

Post-Secondary: Please see the STEPS page

PHONE:

604-557-5851

MAIL:

#380 - 13401 108 Avenue, Surrey, BC  V3T 5T3

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday - Friday | 8:30am - 4:30pm

Métis Family Connections - Early Years

Métis Family Connections – Early Years is for families with Métis children birth to 8 years. Métis Family Connections – Early Years is focused on helping families build a network of support that provides children with opportunities for early learning and childhood development.

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Métis Family Connections - Middle Years

Métis Family Connections – Middle Years is for families with Métis children aged 9 to 12 years. Métis Family Connections – Middle Years is focused on connecting families with culture and providing opportunities to access the Métis Child Care Benefit program.

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Métis Child Care Benefit

The Métis Child Care Benefit (MCCB) Program is a service offered by the Métis Child Care Navigation and Support Program, for families with Métis children birth to 12 years. Through the Métis Child Care Benefit Program, eligible families may be able to access additional funding from what is provided by the Provincial Affordable Child Care Benefit to support with the cost of child care.

The Métis Winter and Spring Break Supplement helps Métis families with the cost of child care during school breaks – exclusively Winter and Spring Break.

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Miyoopimatishihk (Wellbeing) Program

The Miyoopimatishihk (Wellbeing) Program was developed by Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) for families with Métis children birth to 8 years. Métis families can apply for and access services funded directly by MNBC.

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Imagination Library

The Imagination Library is a literacy program for children birth to 4 years. Métis children that are registered in the program receive a free, age-appropriate book each month. 

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Good Beginnings - Growing our Children

Training for Family Child Care Providers -
January 31 to March 9, 2023

Are you currently providing child care for children or interested in providing family child care in your home?

Did you know you could take a 30-hour course to become a Registered License-Not-Required care giver in your home?

The Good Beginnings Course is beneficial to our Métis community as we move forward with the recruitment and retention of Métis Early Learning and Child Care professionals, and by supporting our Métis families with the creation of culturally appropriate child care programming, provided by Métis people from their home.

For further information and to apply to this course please contact: metisearlyyears@mnbc.ca 

Registration closes by: January 23, 2023
Space is limited.

Early Childhood Education Certificate for MNBC Citizens

In partnership with STEPS (Skills Training | Employment | Post-Secondary), MNBC’s Ministry of Education understands that a qualified workforce is the critical foundation to the success of all components of the Childcare BC Plan. Early Childhood Educators and other Early Care and Learning professionals are the heart of the child care sector. Our existing workforce must expand in order to ensure programs are operating within legislated requirements, and there is a sufficient supply of qualified professionals to work in all programs, whether existing or new. Qualified Early Childhood Professionals are key to creating a quality child care system, by increasing the number of students entering, re-establishing and graduating from recognized ECE post-secondary programs. These programs provide students with the competencies and knowledge required to work with children, birth to age five, in licensed preschools and child care centres.

Capilano University’s Early Childhood Care and Education program is an internationally recognized centre of research, renowned for its commitment to re-conceptualizing pedagogy within early childhood care and education.  We are excited to have joined forces with Capilano University and Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) to offer the Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma at KPU. In the Diploma program, you will engage with children in composing the curriculum by deconstructing, by re-imagining, by researching, and re-conceptualizing early childhood pedagogy.  As a future leader in education, you will learn to advocate for social justice, create space for diversity and difference, nurture intellectual curiosity, and envision more livable worlds for children of the 21st century.

As a Métis citizen, (or if you have a verified active application with the MNBC registry), you may be eligible to access funding for early childhood education and the wrap-around supports need to succeed in your education.

For more information, please contact MNBC Early Childhood Education Recruitment and Retention Specialists at ecesupports@mnbc.ca

Maachi Kashkihtow Mamawii (Learning Together, Sharing Métis Culture)

Maachi Kashkihtow Mamawii is a professional development workshop in understanding, identifying, and supporting Métis children and culture in early years programming. Participants learn Métis history and culture in Canada and begin to understand who Métis are and ways individuals can connect. Through cultural resources, facilitators demonstrate how to incorporate cultural items into early years programs and activities to ensure children learn more about the Métis culture.

For more information, please contact: metisearlyyears@mnbc.ca 

Early Childhood Educator Supplement

Are you a Métis Early Childhood Educator? MNBC values the work that is being done by our Early Learning Professionals. To show our appreciation and to acknowledge the value in caring for our children, MNBC has created a Métis ECE Supplement. This is designed to support our licensed Métis ECEs and ECEAs who are working in licensed child care programs across the province with an financial supplement.

Apply today! Contact our ECE Recruitment & Retention specialists at ecesupports@mnbc.ca for an application

Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia (ECEBC) Paid Membership  

In partnership with Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia (ECEBC), MNBC is pleased to offer Métis Early Childhood Educators, and Métis ECE students, paid ECEBC membership. Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia (ECEBC) supports to educate and advance the rights and needs of early childhood educators, children, and families in BC. If you are a registered MNBC citizen, (or have a verified active application with the MNBC citizenship registry), you qualify for this initiative.

To qualify through MNBC to have your ECEBC membership paid, you must:

• Be a citizen of Métis Nation BC or have an active application with the MNBC registry
• Reside in BC
• Include your ECE/ECEA license to practice
• Be in good standing with the ECE Registry
• For students - Include proof of enrollment as an student such as school registration form or student card for attending an Early Childhood Education Program through an accredited Post-Secondary institution.

To apply please email the Métis ECE Recruitment & Retention team at  ecesupports@mnbc.ca

Métis Pedagogist Network

In partnership with the Early Childhood Pedagogy Network, Métis Pedagogists support early learning programs, tailoring their approach to regional characteristics and distinct needs of local families and communities. Their goal is to work with Métis Elders, educators, children, and families on pedagogical projects, thinking together and collaborating about curriculum development through a Métis lens.

For more information, please contact: metisearlyyears@mnbc.ca 

Métis Early Years Conference - Surrey
February 24-25, 2023

SURREY, BC - Métis Nation British Columbia celebrates educational opportunities for Métis Early Child Educators in our province. Join us for a day of connection, networking, and Michif language revitalization with some amazing keynote speakers.

Thank you for your interest for the Metis Early Years Conference for Surrey Feb 24-25, 2023. Please note the conference is now sold out. To add yourself to the waitlist, please click here JOIN WAITLIST

Métis Early Years Conference
March 3-4, 2023

PRINCE GEORGE, BC - Métis Nation British Columbia celebrates educational opportunities for Métis Early Child Educators in our province. Join us for a day of connection, networking, and Michif language revitalization with some amazing keynote speakers.

REGISTER HERE

The Ministry of Education continues to work toward supporting our Métis students and strengthen our position in Indigenous Education by building and nurturing strong relationships with Chartered Communities, Public School Boards, Independent School Authorities, BC’s Ministry of Education, and community education partners.

Contact the K-12 Manager: metiseducation@mnbc.ca

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K-12 Learning Recovery Fund

The Ministry of Education has been granted an extension of an emergency learning recovery fund to support Métis learners aged 9-18, who are experiencing learning disruptions caused or exasperated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The K-12 Learning Recovery Fund was approved as a part of the Covid-19 wave 5 funding provided by Indigenous Services Canada and will help families in need cover costs of tutoring and assessments.

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MNBC K-12 School Food Survey

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MNBC’s Ministry of Education is excited to invite you to participate in a School Food Survey project. 

While past efforts to understand food-related needs of K-12 families have helped shape existing programs and services, Métis perspectives are often overlooked. The goal of this project is to understand, within the school food environment, what tools and resources are needed to support food and wellness for Métis families. By simply responding to this survey, your voice helped to ensure Métis needs are considered. The survey results will be shared with the BC Ministry of Health and Provincial Health Services Authority to inform future school food-related initiatives in BC's K-12 Education System.

Participants are invited to enter a draw for exciting prizes.
Survey closed

Professional Standard 9

Did you know that within the K-12 system in British Columbia there are 9 Professional Standards for BC Educators? MNBC’s Ministry of Education and Child Care are proud to share this newly released video on the 9th Professional Standard. Collaborating with Education partners is just one of the ways that MNBC continues to support the transformation of the K-12 Education system in BC.  Watch the Video Here