Métis families in Prince Albert now have access to a new citizen support centre, child care facility, community gathering space and government offices following the grand opening of the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan’s newest Ma Faamii development on Friday.
Ma Faamii, which means “my family” in Michif, will provide Métis citizens with access to services including program applications, registry support, documentation assistance and system navigation.
“We are celebrating the grand opening of our MN–S Ma Faamii citizen service centre,” said MN–S Western Region 2 Regional Director and Emergency Management Minister Sherry McLennan. “Today, we welcome Métis families to an area of the city where culture, language, tradition, respect, and love are found.”
The development also includes a 90-space Early Learning and Child Care Centre, the first of three planned Métis-led child care centres in Saskatchewan. Similar facilities are planned for Saskatoon and Regina.
MN–S President Glen McCallum said the project demonstrates the benefits of Métis self-government and self-determination.
“Today’s grand opening of the Ma Faamii, ELCC Centre, and community gathering and office space, will provide meaningful supports for our Métis citizens in this Region,” McCallum said. “Developments like this reflect our government’s commitment to building a strong future for our families.”
As part of the opening ceremony, the MN–S also unveiled a portrait honouring Taya Sinclair, a 24-year-old Métis woman and mother of two whose remains were found in Prince Albert in 2022. The artwork, created by Métis artist Victoria Beahm, will be displayed at the site alongside a commemorative plaque.
“Our government wanted to honour her life, and the lives of other Indigenous women and children who’ve been lost, in a dignified manner,” said MMIWG2S+ Minister Darlene Langan. “To us, every life matters, and Taya’s will never be forgotten.”