Hay River Reserve (Jan 08/07) - Ten years ago, Elaine Rene-Tambour left Ontario and headed north on what she describes as a vision quest.

Rene-Tambour, who now lives on the Hay River Reserve, said her destination was Hay River, but she can't explain why she picked the area.

"I never heard of the reserve before," she noted.

Elaine Rene-Tambour is co-ordinator of the K'atlodeeche First Nation Children's Centre. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Rene-Tambour, who is of Algonquin, Mohawk and French heritage, said she felt drawn to the area.

"It's just something you know," she said. "You just do it."

Eventually, she married on the reserve and launched the K'atlodeeche First Nation Children's Centre after being asked to join its organizing committee.

She designed the building and programming, trained staff and bought equipment, and has been the centre's co-ordinator since it opened seven years ago.

Rene-Tambour created much more than a day care.

The children's centre also offers support groups and classes for parents, family counselling, literacy programming and a language nest in which youngsters learn Slavey.

"I figured the reserve needed more than a day care," Rene-Tambour said, noting programs already existed for teens, elders and others. "But they never had anything for young families."

The independent, not-for-profit day care is important for the reserve, she said. "It filled a gap."

Rene-Tambour oversees six staff members and works with parents more than children, although she supervises the language nest.

"If I get tired of being in my office, after a while I come out and play with the kids," she said.

The 52-year-old was born in Timmins, but moved to southern Ontario as a teenager.

She obtained a college diploma to become a child and youth worker and a university degree in child psychology with a minor in native studies. Recently, she also earned a distance-education college diploma in aboriginal child care.

Over the past several months, Rene-Tambour oversaw a $170,000 renovation and expansion to the children's centre. The work began in September and is due to be completed at any time.

"We've been trying to do this for five years," she said, noting the work has doubled the size of the building.

"It's going to be really good for our evening programs," she said of the extra space.

The addition means a larger kitchen and dining area and an indoor play area.

Rene-Tambour said the day care has made a difference over the years.

"There's been a notable difference in the school readiness of children who have gone through the program," she said.

Plus, the day care has helped mothers go back to school or work.

The day care - which serves children ages two months to 11 years - offers supervised play, arts and crafts, reading, painting, puzzles, an outdoor activity area and more.

"They learn through play," Rene-Tambour said. "That's when children learn best."