Denisiqi Services Society hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, May 14 to celebrate the construction of the society's new home in Williams Lake.
“We have grown so much...we need the space," said Christa Smith, executive director of Denisiqi. "This is really exciting to be able to have our own space that accommodates all the services that we want to provide to kids.”
Denisiqi celebrated its 20th anniversary in August 2024 and has grown from just four staff members to a current team of 70 staff.
The society's board of directors were invited to break ground, and Francis Laceese, chief of Tl'esqox and president of the board, thanked everyone involved in the project for their hard work, including the society's board and staff as well as funders.
“(I'm) really proud of where we are today,” Chief Laceese said, also thanking the support workers who are on the ground helping people from one community to another.
“Wherever our children and families are, they are well looked after," he said. The chief of Tl'esqox, one of six communities to make up the Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG), also noted the nation recently received full jurisdiction over their child and family services.
"It's a big step for our nation to be in that era."
The Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre (CCCDCA) was also present to mark the official launch of the mobile services buses. A partnership between the CCCDCA and Denisiqi, the buses have already been operating for a few months and have visited all 13 of the communities which the centres serve.
"Wouldn’t it be great if we could bring services to children instead of having children go to services," said Smith as she explained the origins of the idea.
"This isn’t just the launch of a new program, it’s a powerful step towards healing and equality," said Vanessa Riplinger, executive director of the CCCDCA. "It’s about meeting children, youth and families where they are – not just geographically – but emotionally, culturally and spiritually."
Williams Lake city councillors Scott Nelson and Joan Flaspohler were also at the ceremony, with Nelson acting as mayor while addressing the crowd. "This is simply one of the largest investments in Williams Lake," Nelson said of Denisiqi's construction project, calling it fantastic and amazing. "We are so proud of you, of what you’ve done on this project, this will help transform our community."
The new centre will see renovations to the existing buildings at 450 MacKenzie Avenue South, giving the front building a new, modern look and an additional floor. Renovations will link the property's two buildings together, providing a large gathering space and program space in the back of the building, and a board room, kitchen, family room and lobby connecting the two buildings. There will be just over 80 offices and multiple meeting and gathering spaces.
