ManitobaThe Indigenous-led organization Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. opened its expansion project in Winnipeg on Tuesday. The $14-million campus and cultural space on McDermot Avenue began in June 2023 and will host most of the organization’s cultural and educational programming.Ka Ni Kanichihk expansion to host 48 daycare spaces, education programs for Indigenous mothers, youthCBC News · Posted: Dec 02, 2025 10:46 PM EST | Last Updated: 44 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.’s expanded campus and cultural space opened on McDermot Avenue in Winnipeg after more than two years of construction. (Prabjhot Singh Lotey/CBC)An Indigenous-led organization has officially opened the doors on its long-awaited expansion project in Winnipeg.Construction on Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.’s $14-million campus and cultural space at 455 McDermot Ave. began in June 2023 and received funding from the federal and provincial governments, along with the City of Winnipeg.The net zero building will host about 70 per cent of the organization’s cultural and educational programming, executive director Jackie Anderson said Tuesday.“We are celebrating a milestone in our community,” Anderson said.The facility has classrooms for two programs, including Honouring Gifts for young Indigenous mothers, along with the social innovation and community development program, which offers accreditation from Red River College Polytech.Jackie Anderson, the executive director of Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc., says the new facility offers child care, cultural and educational programming. (Prabjhot Singh Lotey/CBC)The building will host 48 child-care spaces for the community and students, which are expected to open on Monday, Anderson said. The facility also has a commercial kitchen and rooms for cultural and wellness programming, including for cedar baths and smudging, along with recreation space for youth to learn life skills and unwind.“When [people] come here, when they leave, I want them to feel that they were heard, that they were welcomed with kindness, that there’s opportunity,” Anderson said.For Kaelei Knutson, Ka Ni Kanichihk empowered her when she needed support last year, the Swampy Cree and Ojibway mother told the crowd gathered for the opening.“This building is going to change lives, and I know that because it helped change me,” said Knutson, a former student at the organization who is now a youth board member.About a decade ago, Knutson had been enrolled at university, but she eventually left after navigating systems “that didn’t recognize the realities of being an Indigenous student.”Between sleeping in her aunt’s basement and on her friend’s couch, she was dealing with grief and leaving her community, said Knutson, who is from Long Plain First Nation and Opaskwayak Cree Nation.She found out about Ka Ni Kanichihk’s community development program on social media and said it was a better fit for her culture and experiences as a young mother.“That’s why this building matters,” said Knutson, who is now in her second year at Red River College Polytech.Kaelei Knutson from Long Plain First Nation and Opaskwayak Cree Nation completed her first year of Ka Ni Kanichihk’s social innovation and community development program and is now doing her second year at Red River College Polytech. (Prabjhot Singh Lotey/CBC)“People will walk in and find support that actually speaks to their experiences. It means more youth will find belonging, more families will access programs that honour who they are, and more people will get a chance to rebuild their life just like I did.”Coun. Vivian Santos called the expansion “reconciliation in action.”“This expansion growing from 8,700 square feet to 23,000 square feet more than doubles the capacity to support people reconnecting with culture, survivors of violence, youth at risk or involved in gangs,” Santos, city councillor for Point Douglas, told the crowd.The expansion also has clinic space, where for example, sexual assault nurse examiners can provide care.The facility will also host a sweat lodge, which is expected to be completed this spring.With files from Rosanna Hempel
Indigenous-led organization opens expanded Winnipeg campus, cultural space
