New centre for Métis opens in Saskatoon

Saskatchewan’s Métis community will have a new space to call home with the opening of Ma Faamii in Saskatoon.

The one stop service centre– worth over $2 million dollars— provides support and services for Métis citizens as they navigate through programs such as healthcare and housing.

Jason Mercredi, Director of Social Infrastructure for Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, said the centre will be a hub for Métis citizens to navigate provincial and federal programs as well.

One of the notable programs provided by Métis Nation-Saskatchewan is for first time home buyers, which provides Métis citizens a one time grant of $15,000 towards their first home.

Another notable program is for early learning and childcare, which provides thousands of people annually with grants to help with the cost of childcare.

“It’s really about connecting citizens to programs and community, ” Mercredi said, adding that in the future Ma Faamii will also provide community programs.

Ma Faamii was Métis built, explained David Fortin, an architect with the project.

He noted that before shovels hit the ground the community and elders weighed in on what their aspirations were for the building.

The architecture was inspired by building techniques from Métis people, Fortin said, adding that colour inspiration was also taken from traditional Métis bead work.

“It’s always important to be able to know that our citizens are getting what they should,” said Glen McCallum, President of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, adding that five more buildings will be built throughout the province in the next two to three years.

McCallum said Métis Nation-Saskatchewan has worked with both provincial and federal governments to create partnerships such as the Self-government agreement with Canada.

“It’s a great place to be (and) to know that our Métis government is doing great, and we want to be able to build partnerships and relationships,” he said.