Wo’umxhl Simalgyex day care opens in Gitwangak with 51 spaces

VICTORIA – The Wo’umxhl Simalgyex day care has opened in Gitwangak offering 51 new spaces for child care in the community.

The centre, whose translated name is Cradle of Language, received $2.2 million from the Government of British Columbia’s New Spaces Fund. It replaces an older centre and will be operated by the Gitwangak Education Society and the Gitwangak Band Council, according to a news release.

The centre provides traditional food for children and has a food garden and small smokehouse. There is also an Elder in residence to teach language and traditional values.

“When I think of good child care, I think of our language nest. Not only do our children get to learn how to talk, paint and colour in English but they also get to learn Simalgyax, our Gitsken language,” said parent Serenity Williams in a news release.