An added infusion of provincial money to expand Indigenous-focused daycares across the province means ones could be built in both Houston and either Smithers or Telkwa, a representative from the Dze L’ant Friendship Centre told the District of Houston council May 16.
A first grant to an Indigenous organization which works with communities to provide Indigenous-focused daycares had Dze L’Kant facing a choice of either Houston or Smithers/Telkwa and now a second grant has the friendship centre in the running for two daycares, Emma Bowen said.
But first Dze L’Kant requires land on which to build and must have that in place as well as an implementation plan filed by June 30 for final project evaluation, she added.
“Given the tight timeline we’re moving quickly to secure an appropriate location for the new Houston development,” Bowen said.
“[We] hereby request that the District of Houston moves forward with us in the building of a unique Indigenous daycare facility and direct staff to explore a land grant, long term lease or purchase arrangements and works with us to establish a potential and appropriate location for this new exciting initiative.”
Bowen said a suitable location must be large enough not only for a building but for an outdoor area and that land within the downtown core or adjacent would be preferred.
If successful, Dze L’Kant would have its daycares open by 2026 and in Houston, provide space for approximately 30 children in an age range from 30 months to school age.
There will be care before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. for parents on shift work and children will be looked after by qualified Indigenous early childhood educators at either no cost or via a low fee.
“The facility will holistically support children, parents and families to participate in our cultures and will also be unique and embracing the idea that developed all-season outdoor space provides the highest quality and level of development,” said Bowen.
Daycare workers will be trained in Houston as Dze L’Kant has received a federal grant for a 12-student program, she said.
Houston mayor Shane Brienen noted that Dze L’Kant has already been in contact with District officials in the search for a location.
Bowen did say Dze L’Kant has yet to decide if either Telkwa or Smithers would be suitable locations for a second daycare centre.
The money for Houston and either Telkwa or Smithers would come via a federal-provincial grants to expand Indigenous off-reserve daycares that are funneled through a 20-year old provincial organization called the Aboriginal Head Start Association of British Columbia.
Association executive director Joan Gignac said Dze L’Kant was a successful applicant for consideration of a daycare in either Smithers and Houston when the association received a first provincial and federal grant of $7.5 million.
Seven organizations applied and Prince Rupert and Dawson Creek made the top of the list in addition to Dze L’Kant.
“What we look for is whether an applicant has intent and capacity,” said Gignac of a selection protocol which includes a council of elders.
And when the association received a second $7.5 million grant, Dze L’Kant was told it could submit a plan for two daycares, she added.
“What we know is that daycares have an incredible ripple effect across whole communities,” Gignac said.
Gignac cautioned that no project has received financial approval yet and that final decisions rest upon the evaluations of detailed plans required by the end of June.
“What we’re saying is we’ve got the money if you have a plan,” she said.
One determining factor rests with the ability of Dze L’Kant to secure land at an affordable rate.
That’s because the increasing cost of construction is stretching the grant money available.
“There are really no estimates that are possible right now of construction costs. That’s the real challenging factor,” said Gignac.