Early Learning & Child Care

ELCC In-Home Childcare Engagement Sessions

A new Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) Start-Up Grant and Operating Grant is now available to help you successfully operate a licensed in-home childcare. You can receive up to $25,000 through the Métis Family Childcare Home Start-Up Grant and up to $15,000 through the Métis Family Childcare Home Operating Grant!

Click here to apply! https://forms.office.com/r/iQf4DMYgGH

Eligibility Criteria 

• The applicant must be an MN-S citizen or in the process of acquiring citizenship. Visit our website https://metisnationsk.com/citizenship/ for citizenship information
• The applicant and home must reside within Saskatchewan.
• The person applying to operate the licensed home childcare must be the same person applying for the grant.
• Start-Up Grant: The applicant has applied to operate a licensed home childcare with the Saskatchewan Government and has been assigned a consultant, or they have been operating a licensed home childcare for less than a year.
• Operating Grant: The applicant has been operating a licensed home childcare for over a year.

Upcoming engagements will provide key information on the licensing process, operational guidelines, and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan support.

MN–S will also be providing information on how to access the Métis Family Childcare Provider Start-up Grant.

Click here for more details and to sign up! https://forms.office.com/r/rWBiL1UG60

Direct inquiries to the MN–S Family Childcare Coordinator at: familychildcare@mns.ca

Click here to apply for Grants: https://forms.office.com/r/iQf4DMYgGH

PDF Link for Start-Up Grant:  https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:56624168-15d6-4881-8757-bbb75bc9c1db

PDF Link for Operating Grant: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:1b774d71-ec7a-4d4d-8a13-651625340ae2

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Lii Bufloo Cultural Packages Program

Métis Nation–Saskatchewan proudly introduces the Lii Bufloo Cultural Packages Program! This new initiative is designed to enrich the lives of our youngest Métis citizens by fostering a deep connection to their culture, language, and heritage. Eligible families will receive two fun and interactive cultural packages each year, filled with activities, games and learning materials.

What’s in the Packages?
Each package is family-centric and culturally enriching, encouraging parental involvement and creating opportunities for families to connect with each other and their Métis roots. There will be items such as games, activity kits, and other learning activities. All materials will be age-appropriate and reflect Métis culture, language, and heritage.

Benefits

• Strengthens family bonds and supports family units through engaging in cultural activities.
• Provides meaningful opportunities for children to connect with their Métis heritage, deepening their understanding and pride in their cultural identity.
• Encourages sharing knowledge and traditions between generations, helping to preserve Métis culture within families.

Eligibility Criteria:
Here’s what you need to know to qualify under this year’s program:

• The child(ren) must be an MN-S citizen or in the process of acquiring citizenship. Visit our website https://metisnationsk.com/citizenship/ for citizenship information
• The child(ren) must be between the ages of 0 to 13 years old
• The child(ren) must reside within Saskatchewan

How to Apply
Please click below for applications.
*Only one application per family is needed.

For more information on the Lii Bufloo Cultural Packages program, please contact Yvonne McKenzie at liibufloo@mns.ca

If you need assistance with the application, please contact Ma Faamii Citizen Support at 1-877-METISSK

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Lii Faamii School Break Childcare

**Formerly called Ni Pamihaanannik Nutr Faamii – We’re Supporting Our Families

This program provides support for Métis families needing childcare during school breaks. It helps cover costs for eligible childcare camps and childcare during the April, July, August, December, and February school breaks. Métis Nation–Saskatchewan is committed to helping Métis families thrive through accessible, meaningful programs that honour our culture and support our children. Qualified families with Métis children ages 5 to 12 can apply for support to ensure their children have access to safe, enriching, and culturally rooted care.

Available Funding (per child):

April Break: up to $400

July Break: up to $600

August Break: Up to $600

December Break: Up to $500

February Break: up to $400

Eligibility Criteria:

• The child(ren) must be MN-S citizens or in the process of acquiring citizenship and must not have applied for First Nation status. Please visit https://metisnationsk.com/citizenship/ for citizenship information
• The child(ren) must be between the ages of 5-12. The child will become ineligible the first day of the month following their 13th birthday
• The applicant (parent/guardian) must be working, going to school, or have additional circumstances which require childcare

Please Note: This funding is for childcare purposes only and acts as a supplement to the Childcare Subsidy -available when the subsidy is not claimed. It does not apply to PD days or other school closures.

For more information or questions, please contact: childcaresubsidy@mns.ca

If you need assistance with the application, please contact Ma Faamii Citizen Support at 1-877-METISSK

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The Little Buffalo Reader Program

The Little Buffalo Reader Program is a literacy program designed to support and empower our youngest generation of Métis children. Métis Nation–Saskatchewan is committed to providing cultural literacy programming for Our Nation. Qualified families with children aged birth to 4 years old are eligible to receive free age-appropriate books each month.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The child must be birth to 4 years old. The child will become ineligible the first day of the month following their 5birthday
• The child must be an MN–S citizen or in the process of acquiring citizenship and must not have applied for First Nation status. Please visit https://metisnationsk.com/citizenship/ for citizenship information
• The applicant (parent/guardian) and child must reside within Saskatchewan
• The applicant (parent/guardian) applying must reside with the child

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MN-S Introduces Amachiwayhaataak (Let’s Soar) Program

The Amachiwayhaataak – Let’s Soar Program provides financial support to families of Métis children (age birth to 12).  Through this program, families can apply for financial support to assist with the cost of a wide range of services, programs and products, including occupational therapy, speech therapy, assessments, specialized equipment, and glasses.

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Maatawaytaak (Let’s Play) Program

Métis Nation–Saskatchewan is proud to offer the Maatawaytaak (Let’s Play) Program, helping Métis families access extracurricular and cultural activities. Eligible families with children aged birth to 8 years can receive financial support for programs that celebrate Métis culture and community engagement.

At MN–S, we are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for our children—the future of our Nation—to grow, connect, and thrive in a culturally rich environment.

Applications for this year’s program are open from April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The child must be aged birth to 8 years old. The child will become ineligible the first day of the month following their 9th birthday
• The child must be an MN–S citizen or be in the process of acquiring citizenship and must not have applied for First Nation status. Please visit https://metisnationsk.com/citizenship/ for citizenship information
• The applicant (parent/guardian) and child must reside within Saskatchewan
• The applicant (parent/guardian) must reside with the child
• You can read more about eligibility in the ELCC Lets Play Handbook

If you have questions, please reach out to Kari at letsplay@mns.ca

For assistance with the application, please contact Ma Faamii Citizen Support at 1-877-METISSK

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Early Learning and Child Care Subsidy Program

Early Learning and Child Care Subsidy Program

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