New Dokis Early Learning and Childcare Centre anticipated for spring

By Kelly Anne Smith

DOKIS FIRST NATION- Dokis First Nation looks forward to the completion of the Dokis Early Learning and Childcare Centre next spring.

Early Learning & Childcare Supervisor Kyla Murphy called the groundbreaking event a great ‘little’ ceremony.

“The kids got to kick-off the groundbreaking ceremony by digging their shovels into the ground. We had a nice back drop and we had some pictures of what the future daycare is going to look like on the outside, as well as the blueprints for the inside.”

Murphy says the event took place on July 6, with construction having started at the end of June.

“We had Chief Gerry Duquette Jr. there, Bélanger Salach Architects were there, and Capital Construction was also there, as well as local band members and community members.”

The new centre’s supervisor explains the childcare that will be available.

“Our centre is going to be licensed to have six infants, 15 toddlers, 24 pre-schoolers, and also to do before and after school programs for Kindergarten children. We will be able to have 13 of them and 15 school-age children. If we don’t have any infants within our program, then we were hoping to use the infant room as an EarlyON space.”

Murphy says the new centre will be a relief for families with children.

“It’s a growing community and there’s a lot of young families that are looking to move back home. And there are a lot of local families who are having children. We’re finding there is a high need for childcare, not only in Dokis First Nation but in French River in general. It’s definitely needed. All children are entitled to have high-quality childcare where they will be able to come and explore with learning. They’ll make connections with people who are not their family.”

Incorporating Anishinaabe culture in the new Dokis Early Learning and Childcare Centre is a top focus, says Murphy.

“One of our staff is a very talented artist. He’s going to be doing some murals in the centre. As well, we’re planning our program space around the culture. We’re having drum circles. And we’re having supplies ready for children to make jingle bells and to make regalia. We’re going to have them participating in local events.”

The Dokis Early Learning and Childcare Centre has big windows to look out to the forest. The connection to nature is important for the children, says Murphy.

“We have a lot of natural materials within the build of the daycare. As well, it’s in our classrooms. We try to do a lot of play base with natural materials. That can be things like loose parts of wood and recycled materials. I know our playground is going to be a lot of nature-based play. There’s going to be a sandbox and not your typical playground you would see at a park. Children will be engaged to use their imagination and use the materials that are around them.”

A gathering area for the children and the community has been planned.

“Because the daycare is going to be connected to the school, there’s going to be a shared gathering place where we can get together and connect. Staff can go outside and regroup there,” adds Murphy. “We can take small groups of children out there and use it as an outside learning space.”

The new childcare centre might face a workforce constraint with Dokis First Nation being distant from cities.

“One thing that we are going to be finding is a challenge is finding qualified staff that are willing to travel out to Dokis. Really, that’s something I’m trying to find support with is to be able to help find qualified staff so that we can have the best program possible. So, we will be having lots of job opportunities coming up in the near future. We’ll hire many qualified RECEs (Registered Early Childhood Educator) or people with teaching degrees or child worker diplomas. As well, we are going to be hiring a cook and a custodian. It’s going to bring so much benefit to our community. Not only with having high-quality childcare, but also job opportunities for many local members.”

Dokis First Nation is about 1.5 hours from Sudbury and North Bay. The place closest to Dokis First Nation is Noëlville, where Murphy lives. She encourages interested, qualified job candidates to apply.

“Some people might not understand that even if you are not First Nation, you can still be a part of the community. Dokis is very welcoming. They make you feel like you are part of the community. I have felt nothing but gratitude for being here. I just want other people to know they can feel that too, even if they are not from a First Nation background.”

Murphy says having the Dokis Early Learning & Childcare Centre will be a welcome boost for Dokis First Nation.

“It was family taking care of family. That’s definitely a huge asset to have. And we want our families to grow up together, but people have to work and the economy is so challenging right now; most families need two working parents.”

Dokis First Nation Director of Education Lois Lambert says Dokis First Nation has waited a long time for a licensed daycare.

“I am happy this is coming to reality for Dokis. I was hired as the Education Director in September 2018, and the conversation of lack of childcare has been on my mind since then. So, this is a long time coming for families in Dokis First Nation. Here we are, nine years later, and our dream will soon be a reality.”

Lambert calls Dokis very fortunate to have an on-reserve school from JK-Grade 4. She says the children benefit from small classroom sizes with a lot of resources and quality educators.

“This new daycare will serve as a great opportunity for families to work while knowing their child is well taken care of. This quality licensed centre will be attached to the Kikendawt Kinoomaadii Gamig, which is the name of our Dokis School, and will offer hands-on learning, culture, and language to the youngest learners of Dokis,” says Lambert. “We know there is a lack of quality childcare centres in the surrounding communities; therefore, we hope families will come to Dokis and enrol their child in our centre.”

The Dokis Early Learning & Childcare Centre is expected to be completed by March, 2027.