New trauma-informed Indigenous child-care centre in Colwood [Video]

Hulitan Early Years Centre is a brand new, 48-seat childhood learning centre in Colwood. It was built to support Indigenous children throughout the capital region.

“(It’s a place) where Indigenous children and families can feel really safe and well taken care of,” said Kendra Gage, executive director of the Hulitan Family and Community Services Society, which runs the new facility.

“It is the first and only trauma-informed, Indigenous-specific child-care center on the island,” said Gage.

The centre aims to provide families with wraparound services for their children, free of charge to Indigenous families.

“We have cultural programming, we have therapists available, we have higher staff-to-child ratios,” said the executive director.

Parents call it a unique model unlike any other child-care centre their kids have attended.

“It’s a place where I feel that my child is surrounded by love,” said Gretta Kawahara.

“Cody is just thriving here,” said Katlin Costello. “He …