News Release
September 20, 2022
TREATY ONE TERRITORY / WINNIPEG — Today Ka Ni Kanichihk marked an important milestone on its journey to expand its programming and add a building to its campus in downtown Winnipeg.
A ground blessing ceremony was held for this $8-million expansion that will more than double program capacity, allowing more than 3,000 Indigenous folks annually to access comprehensive, Indigenous-created and delivered programming.
Since 2001, Ka Ni Kanichihk has been offering Indigenous-designed and led programs and services that support people as they transform their lives.
The 20,000 square foot new building is all unique public space, dedicated to the community:
- a large, dedicated ceremony space
- a wellness clinic, with Indigenous and western resources
- a community kitchen
- a drop-in resource hub
- an expanded child-care centre
- a landscaped outdoor gathering space for community
The Building Expansion project will create:
- New prevention programs that eliminate education and employment gaps, reclaim Indigenous culture, revitalize Indigenous languages, work to end violence against women, break destructive cycles, and tackle the root issues of poverty.
- Community food security through social enterprise ventures in a new community kitchen.
- Opportunities for more parents to take part in educational and other programming with the daycare expanded to 48 spaces (from 16).
- An Indigenous Early Learning Centre – a daycare and training ground for early-childhood educators.
- Greater understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, with opportunities to connect and engage in creating a strong future together.
- A beautiful home for all relatives to learn together and envision a strong future.
Today’s land blessing marks a step forward toward creating a space that proudly reflects Indigenous culture and will result in more Indigenous inclusion in our economy, more families raised up from poverty, and a stronger community for everyone.
For more information about the expansion or to make an investment in Ka Ni Kanichihk’s Expansion initiative, please visit our webpage here.
Quotes
“The demand for Indigenous-led services is growing and Ka Ni Kanichihk needs to grow with it. We look forward to working with the community, donors, and different levels of government to help raise the remaining funds we need to make this dream a reality,” said Dodie Jordaan, Executive Director of Ka Ni Kanichihk.
“For years, we have seen a slow exodus of essential services from the inner city. Yet this is where the need is, where the creative potential in this city exists. This expansion will help us support that beautiful creative spirit within Indigenous people that are the heart of the city,” said
Ken Sanderson, Ka Ni Kanichihk Council Co-Chair.
“Many members of our First Nations reside in Winnipeg and other urban centres and I know that access to culturally safe and Indigenous led resources and supports is an important step to restoring dignity, healing, wellness and equity for Indigenous people. I also know firsthand the important work that Ka Ni Kanichihk does and I am honored to represent Treaty 1 Nations to celebrate this milestone. Congratulations” said Chief Kyra Wilson, Long Plain First Nation.
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About Ka Ni Kanichihk
Ka Ni Kanichihk (pronounced Ga Ni Ganichick) means “those who lead” in the Ininew (Cree). Ka Ni Kanichihk was established in 2001 by visionary community leaders and Elders who understood that Indigenous-designed and led programs and services are essential for bringing about meaningful social transformation. Ka Ni Kaichihk is one of only a handful of Indigenous-led organizations in Winnipeg, and offers 14 community programs including an Indigenous-led licensed daycare, culturally based support and advocacy services for Indigenous women who have experienced gender-based violence, mentorship programs for Indigenous youth, a 24/7 safe space and more. Ka Ni Kanichihk has supported more than 20,000 Indigenous people living in Winnipeg in changing their lives, with thousands more in their families and communities benefiting as a result. To learn more about Ka Ni Kanichihk, please visit our website.
For more information or to arrange an interview:
media@emdashagency.ca