July 31, 2025
t̓išosəm- This September a new natural playground designed to help Tla’amin čičuy to connect with təms gɩjɛ (our land) is coming to Tla’amin’s childcare centre and children’s house.
The 100% grant funded project is backed largely by the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement and other funding sources. Tla’amin secured and saved up the entire $500,000 budget over the last couple of years.
Community Services Housepost Brandon Louie says “Hands raised to staff for securing the grant dollars for this important community improvement project. Our čičuy are never too young to learn about təms gɩjɛ and our responsibilities to it. The more they learn about təms gɩjɛ the more they will love and protect it.”
The new playground includes many spaces for the čičuy to explore and enjoy, including places to climb, create, get messy, ride a bike, explore with their senses, or sit calmly in a serene, calming space that the land provides. The new playground will be a functional and beautiful built learning environment.
Director of Education Sophie Call says the project will support land-based, child-led play critical for early childhood development. “The outdoors offers the movement and sensory input kids crave, far beyond what indoor spaces can provide. We want to draw our čičuy outside to a safe, age-appropriate space designed just for them. Land-based play sparks creativity, problem-solving, self-regulation, sensory engagement, and motor skills. Importantly, ʔayʔaǰuθəm is a land-based language rooted in the natural world, so this playground will also strengthen language learning for our čičuy and staff.”
Construction of the new playground begins this week, and community members are reminded that the centre’s playgrounds are for use by program čičuy during program hours. Cameras are in place to monitor the construction site and ensure everyone stays safe.
For more information please contact sophie.call@tn-bc.ca