The Marguerite Riel Centre in Melfort is offering a variety of programming for the spring season.
There will be family activities such as bingo, cookie decorating, bannock making, and a pancake breakfast during the Easter break.
Director of Operations Joanne Yakowec said the staff at the centre also began ribbon skirt making classes following the story of the young girl who had been bullied for wearing her ribbon skirt to school.
“We had some requests from the community to run the classes,” Yakowec said. “We have had anywhere from two people up to our maximum of eight.”
The classes are held every second Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. which is enough time to start and complete a skirt so a new group can be hosted for each class.
The class is hosted by an elder who shares knowledge on the meaning of ribbon skirts and helps with making them.
“When we are done with the set of adult classes we can hopefully move onto where they can make some for their children as well,” Yakowec said. “We do say ribbon skirts but if there are any men that would like to do ribbon shirts, we will do that as well.”
All materials are supplied for the classes and are free of charge as are the other programs ran at the centre.
The regular community kitchen runs every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and soup kitchen is every second Thursday from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Childcare is also free and available to parents that are taking part in any program at the centre.
In April, there will be parenting, anger management, job readiness, and housing programs.
“We are also hoping to do a teen girls empowerment and healthy living day,” Yakowec said.
There will be more fun events on the way for May and June as well, all in which will follow public health guidelines. The centre typically offers a lot of family focused activities over the summer season as well but will depend on what restrictions are in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic at that time.
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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca
On Twitter: Angie_Rolheiser
