Mi’kmaq Child Development Centre

Family Resource Centre

The Mi’kmaq Child Development Centre (MCDC) is a non-for-profit resource organization consisting Aboriginal Head-Start, provincial Family Resource, and a provincially funded Daycare.

The Family Resource Centre has been providing programs and resources for urban Indigenous families, parents, and children for over 30 years.

  • Children standing around a large drum, holding drumsticks with cushioning on the tips, as they prepare to play together in a music class.

    Aboriginal Head Start

    This is an enriching and culturally based school readiness program designed specifically for Indigenous children ages 4 and older. Our goal is to provide a supportive environment that honors and incorporates Indigenous traditions while preparing young learners for their educational journeys ahead.
  • Two women are baking or cooking together at a kitchen table with ingredients like eggs, flour, and sugar around them.

    Collective Kitchen: Cooking Our Way

    This long running program has evolved to a virtual and interactive cooking class. Participants are given a grocery gift card and a shopping list to purchase the ingredients for the session, then join us via Zoom. It’s just like a live cooking starring us! Each session will focus on a target audience such as; prenatal, new parents, dads, parents of school aged kids, kiddos/tweens, etc.

    Seasonally

  • Group of children and adults dressed in Halloween costumes posing outdoors at night, some with face paint, witches hats, and other spooky accessories, with a parking lot and trees in the background.

    Community Outreach

    Community Outreach is a wonderful opportunity designed for all Indigenous families, whether they are new to the area or have been part of our community for some time. This initiative embraces Indigenous families from all walks of life in the metro area, fostering connections and support.
  • A woman holding a sleeping baby on her lap in a cozy living room. A baby monitor is visible in the background.

    Early Years - Tajikeimɨk

    The Early Years program is a collaboration between Tajikeimɨk Mi’kmaw Health & Wellness and The Martin Family Initiative, a program fully developed through a Mi’kmaw lens. It supports Mi’kmaw families from pregnancy to age 4 through drop-in programs and home visits.

    Bi-weekly Drop-in sessions: 11am - 1pm (Home Visits upon arrangements)

    Email: earlyyears@mymnfc.com

  • People riding in a horse-drawn carriage on a snowy path surrounded by pine trees and cabins.

    Family Events

    These events are open to all Indigenous families involved with the centre in one way or another. Events are seasonal and usually include: apple picking, family swim, family Sleigh Ride, beach day, Sweet-grass picking, etc. (events may vary from season to season).

    Monthly

  • People gathered at an outdoor cultural event with dancers performing on a grassy field, white tents in the background, and trees surrounding the area.

    Family Pow-Wow Trip

    This yearly trip has been happening for over 30 years. It celebrates culture and traditions, encourages a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle, and offers a space for families to bond positively.

    Annually: Summer

  • A gray baby car seat attached to a stroller with a white dining tray, parked on a gray tiled floor next to a wall with a yellow arrow pointing forward.

    Have a Baby We'll Travel

    This wonderful program is specifically designed to provide invaluable support to families during the crucial weeks immediately following the arrival of their new baby.
  • Colorful circular rug with words LOVE, WISDOM, RESPECT, and HUMILITY around it, and symbols of animals and feathers representing the seven teachings, including a raven, eagle, and whale. On the rug are booklets, papers, and teaching materials related to the Seven Teachings of the Medicine Wheel.

    Kelsalul (Parent & Tot)

    This interactive program is for parents and babies aged 12 months to 42 months old. Sessions are themed around culture, nutrition, science, crafts, literacy and more. Families who attend all sessions, their little one will receive a child-size hand drum at the end.

    6-week sessions: Thursdays 5:30pm - 7:30pm

  • A group of children, dressed in winter clothing and hats, gathered around a person sitting on the ground, all focused on a fallen tree in a snowy forest.

    Kids & Culture (K & C)

    This program is for Indigenous children ages 4 - 12 and promotes various aspects of Mi’kmaq and Indigenous culture, mentorship, and fun activities. This helps build social skills among peers through community activities. Sessions are either hosted at the centre or off-site.

    Monthly: Sunday 11:30am - 2pm

  • Group of children in graduation caps and gowns with teachers or family members, celebrating graduation in front of a "Congrats Grad!" banner with colorful decorations.

    MCDC Past Graduates

    This initiative is for the Indigenous children ages 10 - 14 who previously attended early years program through MCDC as well as graduates of our Aboriginal Head Start (AHS) 4+ program. Sessions include cultural teachings, activities and outings.

    7-week session

  • A group of children wearing masks sitting around a kitchen island watching a woman prepare food, with various baking ingredients on the counter.

    Mi’kmaw Language Class

    This engaging program is designed to teach both parents and children how to effectively have meaningful conversations in the beautiful Mi’kmaw language. It aims to foster a deeper connection to cultural heritage while enhancing communication skills within families.
  • A man, a girl with curly hair and pink backpack, and a boy fishing by a river. The man is helping the girl hold a fishing rod, two by the water's edge.

    NKlamuksis (Uncle)

    This program is run by our community Uncles - well respected Indigenous men/fathers/grandfathers who have all been vetted. An initiative where male caregivers gather with their children to provide support to one another while participating in activities. Children in the community who do not have a male caregiver may request to atten with one of our Uncles. Some sessions provide mentorship, workshops, or retreats just for dads/male caregivers.

    Seasonally

  • Group of people in a room holding animals, possibly during a training or workshop, all wearing masks, with tables and supplies around them.

    Nutrition Bingo

    This interactive program allows participants to play a unique style of Bingo while learning Mi’kmaw language, with a chance to win grocery gift cards!

    Bi-weekly: Wednesdays 4:30pm - 5:30pm

  • Children and adults engaging in pottery or clay sculpting activities around a white table with various clay pieces, tools, bowls, and rolling pins, in a well-lit room with large windows.

    Parent Support Group (PSG)

    PSG is our first & longest running program since we opened in 1994. This program supports parents of Indigenous children ages 0 - 12 with a variety of sessions that align with the Medicine Wheel - spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental.

    Weekly: Wednesdays 5:30pm - 8pm

  • Group of women, men, and children, most of them infants, gathered in a room for a group photo, with some sitting on the floor and others on a sofa.

    Prenatal: Our Babies Our Way

    Provided through a holistic and grassroots lens, this program covers stages of pregnancy, stages and scenarios of labor and delivery, comfort measures, breastfeeding, doula and midwife information and more.

    8-week sessions: Tuesdays 5pm - 7pm

  • Group of babies lying and sitting on colorful carpet, wearing matching 'Made in Mli' t-shirts, in a circle formation.

    Postnatal: Raising Our Babies Our Way

    A follow-up to our prenatal, this program provides support to families with Indigenous babies up to 8 months, with a primary focus on awareness and resources for postpartum mental wellness, on-going family health, education, and culture.

    7-week sessions: Tuesdays 11am - 2pm

Upcoming Events

Monthly calendar for May from Mi'kmaq Child Development Center Family Resource, featuring colorful illustrations for Mother's Day and other events, with dates and scheduled activities in a grid format.

Fundraising Events

  • Fundraising E-transfer

    mcdc.etransfer@gmail.com

    (Always include what fundraiser you are supporting in the comments)

  • Fundraising / Donation Inquiries

    mcdc.fundraising@gmail.com

L’nui’suti

Poqqane’jk - Slippers

Nepamkewe’l - Pajamas

Aqmk - Snowshoes

Wsituaqne’l - Ear muffs

Siptaqu’ni - Toque

Kesik - Winter

Tekke’k - It is cold

Tapaqn - Sleigh

Tepotk - Boots

Kewji - I am cold

Alioqsay - I am sledding

Piti’kn - Coat

Pesaq - Snowing

Qaliputi - Shovel

Piljaqnk - Mittens

Family Resource Staff

  • Lee Thomas

  • Jessica Rose

  • Shaneice Linklater

  • Lisa Robinson

  • Crystin Edwards

  • Alicia Gault

  • Amy Smith

An indigenous-style artwork depicting two women with elaborate feathered headdresses facing each other, with children in the center.

Mi’kmaq Child Development Centre

Hours of Operation

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 7:45AM – 8:00PM

Saturdays: 12:00PM - 4:00PM for Annual Monthly Events

Sundays: 11:00AM - 2:00PM Biweekly

Contact Us

Location: 2161 Gottingen St. Halifax, NS B3K 3B5

Telephone: (902) 422-7850

Fax: (902) 422-6642

Email: MCDC@MYMNFC.COM

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Quick Link to other MCDC program

Daycare