Succes stories of First Nation communites in Cold Climates

By Alyssa Rosnagel

Seabird Island First Nation
Sustainable Community
Demonstration Project

Mandate
Ensure Seabird Island Band housing assets are maintained

• Apply fair and equitable treatment to all applicants, and participants of Band Housing
• Ensure effective, efficient management of the housing assets
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships within and without the band organization
• Establish and implement planning and development programs to meet the needs of the community.

Their Homes are Designed to Be:

• To build, operate and maintain
• Durable construction techniques to reduce maintenance, long lifespan materials
• Energy Efficient
• Integrate renewable resources
  Achievable
• Easy to change and maintain
  Flexible
• Flexible floor plans, barrier-free designs accommodate changing needs of family
  Environmentally Responsible
• Conserve resources, use recycled materials
  Community Oriented
• Reflect preferences, culture and needs of community

Award winning housing creating jobs
Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte:
Reserve located 160km east of Toronto, Ontario

• Have a director of housing, parks and band property
  with maintenance crew of 20
  Crew has built more than 60 energy efficient
  1200 to 1300 sqft homes
• important for those winters!
  Revolving loan program to fund housing
  The 1st Canadian Aboriginal community to be recognized for their dedication to building healthier housing
• Demonstrated extraordinary skills and knowledge in building healthier homes for their community
• Argon-filled windows with warm-edge spacers
• Heat recovery ventilators
• Raised heel trusses for additional insulation
• Insulated concrete forms
• R-28 external walls with insulated sheathing

The Band's approach to construction also satisfies many other local concerns

• Construction is year-round to ensure local labour force has regular work
• Leftover insulation installed in new houses and waste wood recycled for other projects to reduce landfill waste
• The housing policy helps stimulate local economy and re-invigorate community
• Due to expertise in energy-efficient construction techniques, Mohawk labourers are in high demand among contractors in neighbouring communities

Chris Maracle, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (613) 396-3424

Innovative Housing Project
First Nations demonstrated innovative approaches to construction, renovation and management of on-reserve housing

• Locally harvested logs
• Log post and beam construction
• Straw-bale technology
• Metallic/steel housing
• Polystyrene panels
• PVC maintenance-free building systems
• Slab-on-grade and radiant-in-floor heating systems
• Peatland sewage treatment system
• In-House Self-Insurance program
• Housing Repair Financing Program
• Revolving Loan Funds
  

Types of Training

• Mentoring
• Train the Trainer
• Video Conferencing
• Apprenticeship / On-the-Job Training
• Internet-based/Online training
• Audiovisual Training Aids

Considering Their Roots
Housing is produced after extensive consultation with Mohawk elders to maintain traditions. Some homes built for elders come with an extra bedroom, recognizing a tradition that grandchildren sometimes live with their grandparents for a period of time. The front door opens directly into the kitchen – the focal point of the house.

Accountability
Accountability is becoming a way of life for the Ojibways of Pic River band council, and most of the First Nation’s 950 members. The result is more jobs, a stable community government and a better future.

" There are opportunities for our people to work, We’ve become an important employer in the region."

Jobless rate has dropped to:
10% during off-season
5% during construction season

Renewable Energy Projects that Work for Canadian First Nation Communities
Small Hydro
Wind Power
Solar Energy
- Photovoltaics
- Solar Air Heating Systems (they all used Solarwall by Conserval)
- Solar Water Heaters
- Passive Solar
Housing Efficiency
- Efficient framing to reduce amount of timber
- Blown in cellulose insulation
- Advanced air barrier systems
- Improved basement insulation
- Energy Efficient windows
- Combined space and water heating systems
- Heat Recovery Ventilators
- Energy-efficient lighting
- Water efficient fixtures

Community Efforts in Mashteuiatsh
1st Aboriginal community in Quebec to publish an annual report (1991)

Someone can read the annual report and see how councillors are meeting expectations. Council is preparing a handbook so band members fully understand responsibilities of elected officials

Band council as a whole makes decisions, but each councillor is responsible for overseeing specific service & ensuring decisions are put into practice. Open council meetings every two weeks. Members can watch councillors make decisions and participate in 30-minute question period. 15 to 20 people usually attend.