New southwestern Ontario child care and family centre celebrates grand opening

By Shirley Honyust

LONDON— Nshwaasnangong, the long-awaited Indigenous Child Care & Family Centre operated by Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC), celebrated its opening on Sept. 16. It is located at 449 Hill Street in the SOHO (south of Horton St) section of London, Ontario.

Nshwaanangong, as translated means, “Let’s Shine Here at our place of the eighth star”. The name was given by SOAHAC Elder Richard Assinewe at the very beginning, even before the ground was turned and construction began.

Four to five years in the making and born of the accumulated efforts of the Journey Together team, N’Amerind Friendship Centre and City of London, Adrienne Small from City of London, and Emmaline Beauchamp-McGahey, Anishinabek Language Resource Worker, were key collaborators who nurtured this vision and saw it through to the reality it is today.

Brian Dokis, CEO of SOAHAC, gave a warm welcome to those attending the opening and introduced Olive Elm of Oneida of the Thames who provided the Thanksgiving Prayer.

“The Centre is a good fit with our mandate at SOAHAC as it will work with clients across the whole spectrum,” said Dokis in an interview. “The location is a good fit, too, as it is where there is a younger generation residing. The Family Resource Centre is for many a place to call home and a place to reconnect with their culture.”

Eagle Flight Singers did an Honour Song at the beginning of the opening, Olive Elm delivered the Thanksgiving Prayer followed up with a loose interpretation for those more accustomed to hearing it in the English version. On speaking with her at a later time, she shared that her travels had led her to learn that there are more similarities between traditional thanksgiving prayers than differences, even though every First Nation has its own version. Olive Elm is among a group of fluent Language Instructors with the Oneida Language and Cultural Centre.

Working under the project management of SOAHAC, Nshwaasnangong’s structural design and construction were completed by Two Row Architect, Indigenous-owned and operated from the Six Nations reserve in southern Ontario of Six Nations. Shaped like a turtle, the building houses program rooms designed for individual age groups from infants to preschoolers four years of age. The outdoor area in the back has a walkway path that includes planters with herbs and medicines, trees, playground equipment, and plenty of roaming around open space.

Program services and development were enhanced through collaboration by the Journey Together team which expanded to include Atlohsa Family Healing Services; Nokee Kwe Education and Employment Services; Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians; University of Western Ontario; Fanshawe College; and Thames Valley District School Board. Representatives from many of these community organizations were present to meet and greet each other as well as the SOAHAC board of directors, Nshwaasnangong staff, Ontario Minister of Education Stephen Lecce, and City Councillor Elizabeth Peloza for Mayor Ed Holder.

Jan Martin of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, SOAHAC’s Director of Indigenous Relations, spoke of the efforts of people working together throughout the planning process, the design and construction of the building, the collaboration on programs and services to be offered, and the continued support of the community as a whole, in bringing the Centre to its final stage of completion. Registration has begun although COVID-19 pandemic precautions have moved the date to begin taking in participants. It is now scheduled to happen in mid-October.

Along with program rooms for each age group, the children also have their own chef, Dawn Mienwipin, who will provide nutritious meals and snacks based on a seasonal menu.

For further information on Nshwaanangong’s intake and registration process, please contact Tracy Jacobs, Child Care Manager, and Jennifer Noah via e-mail: email@soahac.on.ca or by phone at 519-914-2972.