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
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
NASA hears from Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, after months of quiet
NASA has finally heard back from Voyager 1 again in a way that makes sense. The most distant spacecraft from Earth hadn't sent home any understandable data since last November.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
LGBTQ2S+ rallies to be held across Canada, billed as largest since marriage equality
Organizations across the country are gearing up for what they describe as the largest LGBTQ2S+ mobilization since the push for marriage equality.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.