MNO Joins National Gathering on Métis Early Learning and Child Care
MNO leaders, educators, and partners gathered in Ottawa to advance Métis-led solutions that support children, families, and communities.
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) was proud to be participating in Roots to Futures: Policy Pathways for Culturally Grounded Early Learning and Child Care, a two-day national gathering that took place in Ottawa on June 24-25.
Hosted by the Métis National Council, the gathering brought together Métis governments, educators, knowledge keepers, language champions, and early learning professionals from across the country to explore innovative, culturally grounded approaches to supporting children and families.
For the MNO, the event represented an opportunity to showcase the success of our ELCC programming while contributing to important conversations about the future of Early Learning and Child Care.
Throughout the gathering, MNO representatives shared their expertise on topics ranging from workforce development and credentialing to language revitalization and culturally grounded programming.
MNO Staff and leadership were also on hand to present at the Gathering. A special thank you to Louise Humphreys, MNO Early Learning and Child Care Manager: Infrastructure and Partnerships, who held a presentation titled: Credentialing with Purpose: A New Approach to Address the Workforce Crisis, highlighting the MNO’s approaches to strengthening and supporting the ELCC workforce. Another special thank you to our Provincial Secretary for Education Mitch Case whose leadership on this file continues to help shape our work in Educating our youngest citizens.
The conference also featured collaborative discussions focused on policy development, supporting children with disabilities, and creating opportunities for participants to learn through traditional Métis practices, including finger weaving and guided land-based experiences.
On the second day of the gathering, the MNO joined colleagues from Otipemisiwak Métis Government to showcase successes in Métis programming across both organizations. There was also an opportunity to discuss building strong language foundations for future generations through Métis early years immersion initiatives.
The MNO recognizes that investing in children today helps build stronger, healthier communities for generations to come. By sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships, and advancing Métis-led solutions, the MNO continues to play an important role in shaping the future of Early Learning and Child Care across the Métis Nation.
Together, we are creating pathways that ensure Métis children grow up connected to their culture and their communities.