From left: MN–S Vice President Michelle LeClair, MN–S Housing Director Mathieu Gaudet, MN–S President Glen McCallum, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River MP Gary Vidal, and MN–S Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Loretta King cut the ribbon. (Julia Lovett-Squires/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Metis Housing

‘A human right’: MN-S cuts the ribbon on two new duplexes in Meadow Lake

Feb 24, 2025 | 3:57 PM

Nine months after ground was officially broken on the Fourth Street E., plot of land in Meadow Lake, two ready-to-move in (RTM) duplex buildings built are almost ready to welcome their first tenants.

“Historically, this land actually belonged to a Métis man, and he owned the land from the police station all the way over to by the golf course,” said MN–S Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Loretta King during the Meadow Lake Metis Affordable Housing Project ribbon cutting.

“It was really important to me that when we did these builds, that they were actually on historical Métis land.”

MN–S Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Loretta King speaks to the excitement of soon being able to welcome families home. (Julia Lovett-Squires/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

Speaking from the hand-crafted wooden podium featuring the exquisitely carved bison head along with the painted blue and white Métis flag, she spoke to the excitement of being able to support people in their journey.

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“Our families will have so much pride when they come and they’re moved into these new homes,” she said of the three-bedroom homes built by Zak’s Building Group that will also feature 1.5 baths.

The MN-S contributed $1.5 million and prioritized four low-income Métis families that will be able to move in later this spring once they have been chosen.

According to MN–S President Glen McCallum, looking at communities across the province, people need to come together to develop a plan to help others who are less fortunate.

“Low-income housing, affordable housing, homelessness and the list goes on,” he said.

“If we don’t share ideas and don’t come together, usually it doesn’t happen.”

The two new duplexes. (Julia Lovett-Squires/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

McCallum explained the Nation has been active in working to develop partnerships – including with the government.

“No matter if you’re in government, opposition, everybody has an idea in regards to how we can come together,” said McCallum.

“It’s usually nice to be able to have the people representing governments to be able to be a part of a celebration where we look forward to having young families, single mothers, single parents to be able to have a home like these ones here.”

MN–S Vice President Michelle LeClair paid tribute to King for her dedication and commitment to ensure people have a safe place to call home.

“Housing is a human right,” she said.

“It’s so important to have affordable housing for our families.”

Meadow Lake was the first stop on a two-day ribbon cutting tour that will also include Île-à-la-Crosse and Lloydminster.

Speaking of the housing crisis across not just the province but the country, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River MP Gary Vidal thanked the Nation for making contributions towards the solution.

“Just a simple congratulations on the completion of this project,” he said.

Housing Director Mathieu Gaudet was involved since the beginning and to see the development come to fruition, the moment was “Awesome.”

MN–S Vice President Michelle LeClair speaks as Housing Director Mathieu Gaudet, President Glen McCallum and Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River MP Gary Vidal look on. (Julia Lovett-Squires/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

“Minister King is already getting feedback from citizens who want to apply as soon as possible,” he said.

“As a director, it always feels great to have projects done and move on.”

Gaudet explained that while this is a good start to addressing the housing crisis, there is much work to be done.

“I still think it’s just a very small dent; we need to build a lot more and that’s our plan and I just think like, one extra house means one extra family that has a warm, safe place to live,” he said.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social