Micro homes project a success, with plans to expand
A unique partnership to train members of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation to build micro homes on nation land has had a fruitful start.
On Wednesday, a special ceremony and graduation for the first Pathways course was held on First Nations land.
“For myself, looking at my community and seeing the overcrowded miss in the homes, we have our elders with where they still have their children and their grandchildren living with them,” said Kim Smith, director of employment training for Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.
The construction course is part of a partnership to build micro homes on nation land.
“[It is] with the intention of actually turning it into housing at the end of it as opposed to just teaching them how to do things. We would actually end up with two houses to leave here for people that inhabit,” Corrina MacDonald from Pathways said.
The 14 week course included 11 weeks to build two micro homes, and Isaac Sturgeon was not only a graduate on Wednesday, but also received an award for having the highest mark.
“That was actually a big surprise to me. That I don't know how to say that treasured in other words, they're just really awesome. I've never won an award for something like that before,” he explained.
The goal of the project is to have members of the First Nation return to continue building after their graduation in what is expected to be an expansive project that will mirror this initial phase.
“I’m hoping that all of our students prosper, get jobs and are able to continue building within our nation. It's been 25 plus years since we've seen our own people building the projects,” Smith said.
The partnership will be for two more training and building courses on First Nation land, who hope to build many more micro homes in the future, and Pathways said this could evolve into other areas.
"We want to get as many people trained here so that they can continue the process themselves and building more houses,” MacDonald said. “Then our hope is to build this even further, maybe go to different communities in the area and bring education to other remote areas.”
The homes still need to have utilities hooked up before someone moves in, but the hope is this area will house many people in the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.