Children attending the Whitecap Dakota Nation Children’s Centre will benefit from a recent investment from the federal government through its Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Quality Improvement Project.

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Gary Anandasangaree says as part of the government’s commitment to investing in Indigenous-led early learning and childcare, it is allocating $35,000 to the Early Learning Centre on Whitecap Dakota Nation.

He says the money aims to benefit children with Sensory Modulation Disorder, a disorder where individuals have difficulty regulating their responses to sensory input.

“Kids living with this disorder can have a really hard time adapting, and the project will create space, resources, staff expertise, and project evaluation to make life better.”

Sarah Lee, manager at the Whitecap Children’s Centre, says the need for sensory toys and resources has been increasing, as 10 out of the 55 children at the daycare are neurodivergent. This means they battle with disorders such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.