Education: Early Learning | K-12

PROUD TO BE MÉTIS | KISHCHEE TEY MO’YAWN AEN LI MICHIF WI’YAWN

Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) recognizes that to achieve educational success, Métis learners need to see themselves reflected in the education system.

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.
Métis Nation 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 (MNBC) 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.
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.
Métis Family Connections - Early Years
Métis Family Connections – Early Years is for families with Métis children from birth to eight 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 Family Connections - Secondary Years
Métis Family Connections – Secondary Years is for families with Métis children ages 13 to 18. Métis Family Connections – Secondary Years is focused on connecting families with community, culture, and opportunities to access relevant programs and services that support healthy transitions to post-secondary education, skills training, and the workforce. 
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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 from 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 the cost of child care.
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Métis Winter & Spring Break Supplement
The Métis Winter and Spring Break Supplement is offered through the Métis Child Care Navigation and Support Program, for families with Métis children school age, entering kindergarten to 12 years old. This funding is to help Métis families with the cost of school break programs – these are inclusive of Winter and Spring break. The Winter and Spring Break Supplement will not exceed a maximum of $500.00 per child per school year.
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Miyoopimaatishihk (Wellbeing) Program
The Miyoopimaatishihk (Wellbeing) Program (Southern/Heritage Michif, translated by Norman Fleury) was developed by Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) for families with Métis children from birth to eight years. Métis families can apply for and access services funded directly through MNBC.
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Imagination Library
The Imagination Library is a literacy program for children from birth to four 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
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 caregiver 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 supporting our Métis families with the creation of culturally appropriate child care programming, provided by Métis people from their home.
The Good Beginnings - Growing Our Children Course will be offered starting September 12, 2023, until October 19, 2023, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Register today for the upcoming course!
For further information and to apply please contact metisearlyyears@mnbc.ca
Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma - Registration
Fall 2023 intake for the Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma (DIPLECCE) program is now open online. For program information please visit Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma - Capilano University
This program will be offered off-campus at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Surrey campus. For more information, please contact ecesupports@mnbc.ca
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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 a 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 that 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, from 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, 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, you may be eligible to access funding for early childhood education and the wrap-around supports needed to succeed in your education.
For more information, please contact MNBC Early Childhood Education Recruitment and Retention Specialists at ecesupports@mnbc.ca

Aansaamb aen kiskayhtaamaahk – Learning Together
“Aansaamb aen kiskayhtaamaahk – Learning Together” (Southern/Heritage Michif, translated by Norman Fleury) and related resources were created to support educators, families, and communities to explore Métis culture and identity with children from birth to eight years. Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) developed these resources and workshops to promote learning environments in which Métis culture is recognized and celebrated. Learning about Métis culture and identity is vital to the well-being and belonging of Métis children and their families.
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 of 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 a 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 educating and advancing the rights and needs of early childhood educators, children, and families in BC. If you are a registered MNBC citizen, you qualify for this initiative.
To qualify through MNBC to have your ECEBC membership paid, you must:
- Be a citizen of Métis Nation BC
- 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 a student such as a 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
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
Métis Family Connections - Secondary Years
Métis Family Connections – Secondary Years is for families with Métis children ages 13 to 18. Métis Family Connections – Secondary Years is focused on connecting families with community, culture, and opportunities to access relevant programs and services that support healthy transitions to post-secondary education, skills training, and the workforce. 
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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 ninth 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

Introducing “Aansaamb aen kiskayhtaamaahk - Learning Together”

MNBC Ministry of Education is pleased to introduce “Aansaamb aen kiskayhtaamaahk - Learning Together”(Southern/Heritage Michif, translated by Norman Fleury). This learning guide and the accompanying resources are intended to support both Métis and non-Métis early learning and child care professionals to integrate Métis content and pedagogy into their work with young children. Our intent is to promote learning environments in which Métis culture is recognized and celebrated.

Le Villazh Maachi Kashkihtow - The Village of Learning

Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) aims to bring culturally relevant information and highlights from the Ministry of Education, to inform your practice of cultural inclusion, emphasizing the Métis Way in each edition.

Learn with Louis

The Métis Family Connections team is excited to share the Learn with Louis Newsletter. Each issue includes family-friendly educational content on Métis culture, including Métis traditions, language, and activities.

If you would like your family’s story highlighted in our “What’s Your Name, Where You From?” segment, please email: metisearlyyears@mnbc.ca

Subscribe to receive updates from the Ministry of Education

Are you a Métis family or early learning and child care professional interested in learning more about Métis culture, events and opportunities going on in B.C., sign up today to receive quarterly newsletters from the MNBC Ministry of Education.

Education: Early Learning | K-12