Education & Training - Region 5 Métis

EARLY LEARNING & CHILD CARE (ELCC)

- A wide range of benefits tailored to children aged 0–12.

Check Our Resources:

Integrating Métis Connections Into Early Learning

June 10 at 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Deepen your understanding of Ontario Métis history, values, and traditions through this virtual session exploring meaningful and respectful ways to include Métis perspectives in early learning environments.

Integrating Métis Connections into Early Learning will guide educators through reflection, discussion, and culturally grounded examples. Participants will be encouraged to move beyond awareness toward thoughtful action that supports identity, inclusion, and reconciliation in the early years.

This session is offered by the MNO ELCC Infrastructure and Partnerships team.

Explore Métis Culture

Explore Métis Culture in Early Learning – Free Online Courses for Educators. Are you an early childhood educator looking to meaningfully include Métis culture in your learning environment? The Métis Nation of Ontario offers free, self-paced online courses designed specifically for early years professionals.

These courses will help you:

Weave Métis culture into everyday routines and play.
Introduce Métis content in respectful and culturally appropriate ways.
Access ready-to-use, downloadable resources.
Deepen your knowledge and grow professionally—on your own schedule.

Courses available:

ELCC Education Kit
Land-Based Play and Learning
The Giving Tree Story Bag

Take one or take them all. Each course includes a certificate of completion.

Start here

Integrate Métis Perspectives into Early Learning

Free Online Module – The Giving Tree Story Bag

Designed for Early Childhood Educators and ECE students, this self-paced online module offers practical tools and cultural insight to help future educators bring Métis perspectives into the classroom—thoughtfully and respectfully.

Participants will:

Learn how to use the Giving Tree Story Bag Kit
Explore strategies for building culturally rich learning environments
Gain foundational knowledge of Métis history and culture
Learn how to distinguish cultural appreciation from appropriation
Receive a Certificate of Completion for CPL or academic portfolios

Ideal for online, in-person, or blended learning—easily added to any LMS. Introduce your students to culturally responsive practice today.

Start here

ELCC-5-Year-Program-Overview-(2019-2025)

Launched in January 2020, the Child Care Subsidy Program was the first initiative of the Early Learning and Child Care team and quickly adapted to meet families’ needs during the onset of COVID-19. The program ensures Métis families have access to affordable, high-quality child care, including private options that are especially important for those facing long waitlists, shift work, or living in rural and remote communities. By using a wholistic, needs-based approach with no income cap and no requirement tied to work or school attendance, the program has supported more than 700 children across the province over the past five years.

View the ELCC 5-Year Program Overview (2019–25)

Early Childhood Educator Support Program

The MNO Early Learning and Child Care Advisor team has updated the Registered Early Childhood Educator Support Program. RECEs can continue to apply for reimbursement of their Ontario College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE) membership fees.

Visit our webpage to review the updated reimbursement details:

Details

I Spy With My Métis Eyes

I Spy With My Métis Eye is a vibrant, interactive children’s book from the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Métis Tales series..

On each colorful, hand-illustrated page — created by Métis children — young readers are invited to “spy” and identify Métis cultural items, symbols, and activities hidden in the scene. Perfect for early learning classrooms, Métis families, and anyone teaching Indigenous identity through play.

English

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