DUNE'NA ZRA SANCH'I DAYCARE (Dreamcatcher)

Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation
Carmacks, Yukon,  2009-11

 "Tread softly
because you tread
on my DREAMS."     
   ~  William Yates

The Dune'na Zra Sanch'i Ku Daycare provides a nurturing environment, trained staff and educational and recreational programs for enriching the lives of Little Salmon Carmacks children. The environmental designed  green daycare accommodates four distinct age groups: infants, toddlers, pre-school and after-school. Community, parent and elder involvement is an integral part of the program —  to help the children grow in terms of cognitive, physical, social, & emotional development.

The Dreamcatcher was used as a design metaphor for the daycare, symbolizing protection. In many Native American cultures, the dreamcatcher is a mythological tool used to ensure good dreams. As per legend, only good dreams can pass through the center while bad dreams are caught in the webbing and disappear with the light of day — into the magic of sunlight.

The daycare's local children designed the beautiful fish artworks (wayfaring markers) swimming in the central hallway.