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The Chuchuwayha Family Centre provides families with services such as, the Parent & Tot program, After School assistance, and a Summer Day Camp program. The Family Centre’s focus is to provide a safe and supportive area for children in the community to learn and thrive, while adding a language and culture component to ensure the children understand their history and are able to pass that along to future generations.

Please contact the Family Centre for questions and registration information. A current list of the programs and services that are running can be found on our monthly calendar here.

To contact the Family Centre please submit the form available here, alternatively you can reach them by phone at 250-292-8299 or email (manager) or (coordinator).

Chuchuwauha Family Centre Parent Handbook

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Chuchuwayha Family Centre Calendar

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Culture and Language Videos

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Chuchuwayha Family Centre Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery

Programs & Services

Meet our Family Centre Team Lead / Early Childhood Educator, Jessi Tonasket

Jessi lives with her son Jack and they are both USIB band members. She has been a part of this community since she was very young. Jessi has been involved in childcare for over 20 years and cares deeply about USIB and Hedley families. She is very active in the community and surrounding area as a mother and caregiver and is very well known for what she does. Jessi has completed her Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Certificate through the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT).  Jessi is a licensed Early Childhood Educator through the ECE Registry of BC.  Jessi is in the process of completing her Infant/Toddler and Special Needs ECE Diploma through NVIT.

Meet our Family Centre Culture & Language Facilitator, Danette Whitney

Danette (Snínaʔ) is a USIB Band member and lives here in the community. She has many family connections in the community and is a proud mother and grandmother. She is passionate about sharing culture and language with children and families and spends much of her time creating and planning new and exciting ways to share the language with our community. Currently she records videos and uses puppetry to connect with the children in this way. Danette is currently enrolled in nsyilxcən language courses through the Enowkin Centre. In her words “Savouring the essence of the innocence and remembering how to play with love, laughter, and kindness. Planting a seed in the children’s hearts and minds for language and culture to be carried on now and for all the future generations to come.” Waỳ lim ləmt

Meet our Family Centre Program Facilitator, Julie Allison

Julie is a band member of Upper Similkameen Indian Band.  She grew up in Hedley and Merritt. Julie’s dad is Jay Allison, and her grandparents are Mike and Nancy Allison. She moved back to Hedley in June 2022 after graduating high school.

Julie previously worked with the Natural Resource department as an archive assistant and spent some time filling in as reception for USIB. She is excited to work in the Family Centre and make connections with the families in the community.

Meet our Family Centre Program Facilitator, Melanie Richards

Melanie moved to Hedley with her husband and daughter in 2021 from Langley BC.  She comes to us with a variety of work experience including health care, janitorial and finance.  She is excited to join the family centre team as she loves children of all ages and looks forward to getting to know the children and families in the community.

Meet our Family Centre ECE Assistant, Jodi McRae

Jodi has lived in Hedley for the past 19 years.  She is the daughter of Sally Holmes and Mark McRae.  Jodi is currently working towards her Early Childhood Education certificate through NVIT.  Jodi is excited to work with children.  She wants to help her community and kids grow and help them be self aware for themselves to assist them later in life

Meet our Family Centre Program Coordinator, Heather Adamson

Heather lives in Summerland with her partner and two children. Heather also supports early childhood programming at both Osoyoos Indian Band and Lower Similkameen Indian Band and is passionate about furthering community programming for children and families in First Nation communities. Heather has her Bachelor of Education degree and has been working in the field of child & family support services and community development for the past 16 years.