Michif Child and Family Services formally opened its doors in Portage la Prairie Friday, May 24th.

Michif is a child protection agency which aims to build the capacity of families.

Billie Schibler is the Chief Executive Officer of the Métis Child and Family Service Authority, and she explains the Authority oversees the Michif agency. She notes, in the past, this agency has rented space in Portage, but with the new location, the opportunities to serve more families are now a reality.

Schibler outlines that the new Michif location will allow for the development and execution of new programs as well as a more extensive service team. She adds the Michif agency works with young people even after they've left the child welfare system.

"It's really about building that capacity even within the young people that we serve," says Schibler.

Mona Buors is the Métis Minister of Child and Family Services for the Manitoba Métis Federation and she shares the opening is significant for the area not only because more services will be available, but because said services will be closer to all of those the agency serves. Buors notes, she is proud to see this moving forward, bringing more services closer to the people of Portage and surrounding communities.

The new location can be found at 27 Royal Road South in Portage la Prairie.