Gina’mu Studio – A Place to Play and Learn
Gina’mu Studio is a brand-new facility located in Campbellton, New Brunswick, offering before and after-school care and weekend programs. The weekend programs include playgroups, art workshops, and Mi’gmaq language classes for youth ages 5-11. “This project is a combination of all my passions, and needs that I see for the Mi’gmaq community,” said Amy Martin, owner of Gina’mu.
Martin is a Concordia University student, majoring in First Peoples Studies, with a minor in Human Rights Studies. She began teaching Mi’gmaq two years ago in Montreal and comes from a family of youth educators. Her sister, Karen Martin, is a Mi’gmaq Immersion teacher at Alaqsite’w Gitpu School. Amy Martin said she relies a lot on the community of Listuguj for their resources when it comes to teaching the Mi’gmaq language.
At Gina’mu Studio, Martin expressed the importance of acceptance and kindness. This facility is open to everyone and is a safe place to play and learn social skills. “We’re here to make friends, and teach the language,” said Martin.
Martin offers a before and after-school program on weekdays from February to June, picking back up in September. It will run in the mornings from 6:45 AM to 8:45 AM, and in the afternoon from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM. The before-school care is $75, the after-school care is $50 and if you’d like both services, it is $100. Weekend programs consist of a Mi’gmaq language class from 1-2 PM, and an art and play workshop from 2-3:30 PM. These programs run for $10 each. There are no long-term commitments for these programs. Schedules of activities will be released ahead of time on Gina’mu Studio’s Facebook page.
Gina’mu Studio is located at 156C Water St. in Campbellton. If you want to register your child in one of these programs or would like more information, you can find Gina’mu After-School on Facebook, or email ginamulearningcenter@gmail.com.
By Ann Marie Jacques
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