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Students, elders, community leaders and more gathered for the Ground Breaking Ceremony in Little Pine First Nation, which begins the eight-week process to build a home for Elders. (Submitted/Jill Cormier)
Educational building

Little Pine First Nation school participates in Elder housing project

Oct 12, 2021 | 4:47 PM

A new venture in Little Pine First Nation will serve both the young and the old of the community.

Your Choice Homes, an organization that assists First Nations communities through housing and education projects, partnered with the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission and Chief Little Pine School to build homes for what will become an Elder’s village.

About 12 students between the ages of 15-18 will assist in the construction of the first tiny house, getting a unique educational experience in the process.

Dignitaries, along with the project heads and the participating students, held a Ground Breaking Ceremony last week to mark the beginning of the eight week process. This involved an opening prayer and song, with different speakers taking turns during the ceremony.

(submitted/Pearleen Kanewopasikot)

Jill Cormier, Executive Administrator for YC Homes, said this was the first Ground Breaking ceremony the organization had participated in and that the project fits squarely within their mission of Housing through education. Past projects have similarly involved building homes, shelters, and wellness centres, where the community specifically is involved.

Each of the 12 students who help build this home will receive distinction for their work on the project.

“They will work towards getting an apprenticeship at the end of the program, they get paid and get credit for it,” she said.

In regards to building more homes for Elders, Cormier said it’s a no-brainer to give back to communities, especially ones that have great need of critical services.

“These needs should be recognized.”

CLPS Principal Pearleen Kanewopasikot said they were invited to be a part of the project by local leader Kristin Thomas. Once it was approved, she began building a package for the students that are participating, a process she’s excited for them to begin. The tradespeople working on the home will provide on-the-job training for each student.

“They get two weeks to do the safety training and then they will begin construction,” she said. “The students and their families are really excited, it’s the first project of its kind in this area.”

In addition to learning not only from the construction experience and practices, Kanewopasikot also said there are many intangible lessons that will benefit them in the near and distant future.

“Developing commitment, work habits, cooperation,” she said. “All those good things that come from working on a project together.”

Given the reaction they’ve received and the benefits expected from the project, Kanewopasikot hopes this will inspire similar developments in other First Nations. Even the addition of female students is something new that CLPS is excited about.

“Communities should look to YCHomes to how they can bring that their [people].”

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

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