Youth from the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation are helping to build a tiny home for an elder in Loon Lake. (supplied/Jayson Noel)

By Tyler Marr

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Makwa Sahgaiehcan students help build tiny home for elder

Oct 7, 2019 | 2:00 PM

A new housing project in Loon Lake looks to give students skills for future career opportunities and teach the importance of building community.

Students broke ground earlier this month for the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation Tiny Home program where they will build a house for an elder in the community. The project, which is funded through Western Economic Diversification, is spearheaded by Your Choice Homes’ Housing Through Education program. YCHomes partners with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Community Partner Jayson Noel said the program was birthed to both address housing needs in First Nation communities and expose youth to practical experience in construction. Students gain high school credits, log youth apprenticeship hours and gain valuable life experience, he said.

“All the kids wear the same hoodie and it has our logo and the band logo and it gives them a sense of pride,” Noel said. “We are learning how to build community by building community. It is a game-changer and gives them a lot of respect for what they are doing.”

The program runs for eight weeks and involves 13 students from the high school. They start by obtaining their safety tickets before becoming immersed in online modules and hands-on learning. It started in Yorkton and has spread to Indigenous communities across Saskatchewan and Alberta.

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Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation Chief Ronald Mitsuing called the opportunity important for both the youth and the elder who receives the home.

“It gives them what they need to prosper in a career like this,” Mitsuing said, who is a journeyman himself. “I want out youth to put down their phones and devices and pick up a hammer.”

He said the program helps fill a void as there is a shortage of skilled labour in the community.

“If they decide to follow this path they will have many employment opportunities,” he added.

As for the elder, Mitsuing said he currently lives with his children and grandchildren and the home will give him freedom, privacy and independence.

Grade 12 student Summer Iron wants to pursue nursing but as the program is quite expensive, she said learning construction skills might allow her to work in the trade as she pursues post-secondary education. The 17-year-old said her father is a general contractor.

Sixteen-year-old Colin Morningchild said he has yet to settle on a career choice but feels the program might set him up well to pursue construction down the road. He said he is most excited to watch the house be framed and take shape.

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tyler.marr@jpbg.c

On Twitter: @JournoMarr