A celebration to commemorate 20 years of operation was held at the Cote Daycare on August 17.
“The Wild Pigeon Learning Centre and Headstart is officially the first YTC (Yorkton Tribal Council) licenced daycare in Cote,” said Monica Perswain, director of daycare and headstart programs.
Both Perswain and her mother, Marilyn Whitehawk, have worked at the daycare since it opened 20 years ago. The daycare is for children aged zero to six and the headstart programs are for ages three and four.
“My mother and I have been here since the daycare opened and I have been director of programming for the entire time,” she said. “Our daycare has dedicated, caring staff members who have been with the facility for many years,” she said.
Terrilyn Friday, the headstart educator, and artist who created the new signage for the daycare, has been with the facility for 18 years.
Pre-school caregiver, Matilda Kayseas, has been with the daycare for 13 years, and Louisa Keshane, headstart cook and facility bus driver, has been with the centre for five years.
The framed daycare and headstart licences, along with a plaque which said “Cote First Nation, in appreciation of 20 years of dedication and service to our community” were held up for display by the staff members.
Chief George Cote was there to congratulate the daycare/headstart staff on its 20-year milestone achievement.
“The YTC is pleased to say that the Cote Daycare facility is operating their programming in accordance with YTC early childhood regulations,” said Yvonne Rusnak, early childhood program co-ordinator with the YTC. “It is my pleasure to work with the dedicated individuals who collectively make up the group of Cote Daycare staff, many of whom have been in their positions long-term.
“Headstart programs at Cote offer a lot of First Nation culture in their programming, and some of the children speak phrases in their heritage language,” she said.
Perswain provided a poem which summed up the feeling of the staff at the daycare:
Daycare Provider
Although I’m not their mother,
I care for them each day.
I cuddle, sing and read to them,
And watch them as they play.
I see each new accomplishment,
And help them grow and learn,
I understand their language,
And listen with concern.
They come to me for comfort,
And I kiss away their tears.
They proudly show their work to me,
I give the loudest cheers.
I am not their mother,
But my role is just as strong.
I nurture them and keep them safe,
Though maybe not for long.
I know someday the time may come
When we will have to part.
But I know each child I’ve cared for
Is forever in my heart.
