The Manitoba Métis Federation continues to support Ukrainian refugees and has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Manitoba.
When the war first broke out, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) agreed to make a $100,000 donation to Ukraine for humanitarian aid. Drawn from revenues of the MMF's business sectors, the donation supported preparedness, immediate and ongoing relief efforts, long-term recovery, resiliency, and other critical humanitarian activities.
Manitoba has since become the leading province in Canada in welcoming the most refugees per capita into its borders.
On June 15, the MMF showed their continued support for Ukrainian refugees and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Manitoba (UCC Manitoba) at the site of the future home of the Red River Métis National Heritage Centre.
The signing was to agree to work together and support the training and employment of 25 Ukrainian refugees at the MMF's childcare centres.
"The Red River Métis have a long history of welcoming newcomers to the province we helped bring into Canada's confederation," says David Chartrand, President of the MMF. "Like our new Ukrainian neighbours, our people have also stood in defence of democratic values, both in Canada and overseas. There's no doubt our hearts have been moved by the plight of Ukraine and its people in the face of Putin's aggression."
In addition to sending the $100,000 at the start of the war, MMF has also shown support for UCC Manitoba by sending office supplies, flying the Ukrainian flag at all MMF buildings, fighting for democracy and freedom overseas and helping those who have been forced to flee their country due to the conflict.
MMF and UCC Manitoba signing an MOU (Provided by UCC Manitoba)"In friendship and partnership, the MMF and the UCC have united to provide training and job opportunities for Ukrainian newcomers within the childcare sector," says Joanne Lewandowski, President of UCC Manitoba. "The support MMF is providing will give hope to our Ukrainian refugees, ensuring that their families' future in Manitoba will be both bright and successful."
The MMF childcare centres offer programming that will help celebrate Red River Métis culture, language, and heritage. Along with daily education that includes meaningful activities and land-based learning field trips, the centres will facilitate numerous parenting programs, including Little Métis Literacy Program, Super Dad, Super Kids and Nobody's Perfect Parenting.
"We continue to expand on our vision of culturally relevant childcare centres across the province of Manitoba and beyond," says Frances Chartrand, Minister of Early Learning and Childcare with the MMF. "There is significant demand for trained early learning childcare professionals, and we are happy to invest in the education of our new Ukrainian neighbours. This initiative meets our upcoming challenge of finding qualified people to work in our childcare centres - a need that will grow to 200-300 jobs when our centres are completed. This a win for newcomers who are seeking stable, well-paying jobs, and a win for our kids who will be able to exchange knowledge and share experiences with their Ukrainian neighbours and educators."
"Helping Ukrainian refugees as they work to rebuild their lives in a new country is something I know our Citizens appreciate and respect," says MMF President Chartrand. "Sharing what we have with our community is an important part of who we are as a people. The Ukrainian refugees we train and employ will benefit from this program through both a career and a strong education in the history, language and culture of our Nation. We are proud to welcome them to the heart of our Homeland and look forward to helping these refugees thrive, as our children will thrive."
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