A new culturally grounded playroom designed to support Indigenous early years learning, cultural connection, and family engagement has opened at the Cobourg EarlyON Child and Family Centre at 800 Division Street.
Community members, families, partners, and staff gathered at the centre on Friday (June 19) to celebrate the grand opening of the Inaate’abiwin Playroom, with the event held in recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21.
The celebration included songs, drumming, cultural teachings, and remarks from community partners. Elder and Knowledge Keeper Mary Ann Spencer shared songs and teachings, helping to mark the significance of the occasion and the importance of cultural connection in the early years.
Guests also learned about the meaning behind the Anishinaabemowin name Inaate’abiwin — pronounced in-awe-tay-awe-buh-win — from Tim Smoke, cultural resource advisor with Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services and a member of Alderville First Nation.
“Today was an important event in our ongoing commitment to building meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations,” said Northumberland County warden Bob Crate in a media release. “The Inaate’abiwin Playroom is a welcoming space where children and families can connect, learn, and explore together. We are grateful to everyone who helped bring this vision to life and for the guidance shared.”
The playroom was created through a partnership between Northumberland County’s Early Years Services and Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services, a wholistic Indigenous child and family well-being agency that provides culturally based and family-focused wraparound supports for children, youth, and families.
As well as supporting ongoing Indigenous early years programming, the Inaate’abiwin Playroom will serve as a gathering space where children can explore, families can foster new relationships, and community connections can grow.
“This space was created with Indigenous children and families at its heart,” said Amber Crowe, executive director of Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services. “Inaate’abiwin provides opportunities for families to explore, connect, and grow together in a space that feels like home.”
EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer free programs and services for parents, caregivers, and children from birth to six years of age, including play-based learning opportunities, family supports, and community connections to help children and families learn, grow, and thrive together.
