École Mino Pimatisiwin School, a new kindergarten to Grade 8 school in the Seven Oaks School Division, is now open to students and families, federal Northern Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand and Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt announced on October 2.
"The name Mino Pimatisiwin reminds us that a good life is built in community, through learning, relationships and a sense of belonging," said Chartrand. "Every family deserves access to affordable, high-quality child care. We are proud to collaborate with the Manitoba government to deliver these new spaces on school grounds."
Located at 140 Mira Gate, École Mino Pimatisiwin School is designed to serve families in one of Winnipeg's fastest-growing neighbourhoods. The 700-student school includes flexible learning spaces, a band room, human ecology and applied technology classrooms, physical fitness facilities and room for a future six-classroom expansion.
"École Mino Pimatisiwin School is a place where students will learn, grow and build connections for generations to come," said Schmidt. "Families can feel confident that excellent education, healthy children, and secure and safe schools are priorities that our government is focused on, and this new school and child-care space mean more children getting the best possible start to their education."
The new school and child-care centre are part of the Manitoba government's ongoing investments in education and early learning infrastructure to ensure families in growing communities have access to modern, accessible schools and child care close to home, Schmidt added.
"We are incredibly excited to welcome students and families to this new school that reflects the growth and diversity of our community while providing students with modern spaces designed to support learning, creativity and connection," said Tony Kreml, superintendent, Seven Oaks School Division. "Mino Pimatisiwin means 'the good life' and this name reflects Seven Oaks School Division's commitment to our responsibility for truth and reconciliation. I look forward to seeing the many successful futures that begin here and I want to welcome students and staff to this exciting new addition to our community."
The school also includes a new 119-space infant, preschool and school-aged child-care centre, operated by Sugar-N-Spice Kiddie Haven. With the opening of this new space, the Manitoba government has opened or committed to over 12,700 new child-care spaces since October 2023, Schmidt noted.
"Our team believes that every family deserves access to safe, inclusive and high-quality child-care in their neighbourhood," said Karen Taylor, executive director, Sugar-N-Spice Kiddie Haven. "We are incredibly proud to be a part of this community and grateful to the governments of Canada and Manitoba, the Seven Oaks School Division and especially the dedicated educators who provide a caring and engaging learning environment for the children every day.
Funded through the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement for a total project budget of $4.6 million, the new centre brings child care and schools together to create a seamless experience for families and support strong early learning opportunities for children, said Schmidt.
The Canada Child Benefit provides direct, tax-free support, helping about 3.5 million families, including more than 6 million children every year. While families can use the benefit however they need, for many it significantly reduces the burden of child-care expenses, in some cases, cutting them entirely thanks to federal, provincial and territorial investments to reduce child-care fees in the Canada-wide early learning and child-care system.
