Manitoba’s Credit Unions Contribute Major Gift to Ka Ni Kanichihk’s Campus Expansion

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Treaty No.1 Territory: Ka Ni Kanichihk is pleased to announce a contribution of $100,000 from Manitoba's credit unions to Ka Ni Kanichihk’s Campus Expansion. 

“Credit unions are supporters of all kinds of community organizations and events,” said Cambrian Credit Union CEO David Mortimer, “but they’ve stepped up enthusiastically for this project — largely to support healing and reconciliation in our community, and also because the cooperative principles that inspire us are such a natural fit with the values and beliefs shared by Indigenous communities in general, and by Ka Ni Kanichihk in particular. Ka Ni Kanichihk’s focus on learning, skill-building, belonging and community resonates deeply with our cooperative values.” 

“We are proud to stand with credit unions in Manitoba in making this important investment in Ka Ni Kanichihk, where they are transforming lives through culture and programming, one person at a time,” said Kevin Sitka, CEO of Assiniboine Credit Union. “The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action included a clear role for Canada’s business community. While credit unions have taken some constructive first steps on this learning journey, we recognize and acknowledge that we need to do much more. This collective investment in Ka Ni Kanichihk is an action we are taking together as one more step toward reconciliation.” 

Dodie Jordaan, Ka Ni Kanichihk Executive Director, said the contribution helps ensure the project can start later this summer, and said, “We thank credit unions for their gift to help create unique and welcoming Indigenous-designed spaces for people to heal, learn and train, all centered in culture. This project will create new opportunities for people in Winnipeg and from across the province.” 

The $8-million Campus Expansion project was developed by and with the community that Ka Ni Kanichihk has walked beside for more than 20 years. It will see Ka Ni Kanichihk grow to 22,000 square feet and add a new, culture-focused facility where thousands of people will build on their strengths to create the best lives for themselves and their families. 

Ka Ni Kanichihk expects work on the project to begin by the end of September this year.

Quick Facts:

Ka Ni Kanichihk’s Home for Reconciliation expansion will create: 

• An expanded daycare – increasing from 16 to 48 spaces
• A dedicated cultural gathering space
• Wellness & healing spaces with access to Elders, traditional medicines, and modern health care
• A community kitchen
• A resource hub for youth
• Training and educations rooms
• A neighbourhood outdoor gathering place and butterfly garden.

Visit kanikanichihk.ca and connect with us on Facebook 

Visit creditunion.mb ca and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

For more information please contact:
Dodie Jordaan
Executive Director 
Ka Ni Kanichihk
204-470-0812 djordaan@kanikanichihk.ca

Dean Beleyowski
Director, Marketing
Assiniboine Credit Union
dbeleyowski@acu.ca

Amie Warkentin
Director, Strategic Communications & Projects
Credit Union Central of Manitoba
204.781.3559 amie.warkentin@cucm.org

Ka Ni Kanichihk is an Indigenous-led organization based in Winnipeg’s core that was established in 2001 to serve the growing urban Indigenous community. It is one of a handful of Indigenous-led charitable organizations in Winnipeg and has a track record of providing effective, responsive, culturally-based, programming and wrap-around supports. Ka Ni Kanichihk is one of the first organizations in Canada to work with families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Ka Ni Kanichihk walk beside people as they continue their journeys to wellness and strength.