Sustainable Building Design and Construction
Basically I want to create linkages between First Nations peoples and training institutes which can provide them with Sustainable Building Design and Construction training. I believe strongly in sustainable building principles and practices and think that they would go a long way towards improving education, employment and housing issues that many First Nations communities face. I built myself a strawbale house back in 1999 and have been living happily in it ever since. This house is economical, sturdy and never has mold problems. Building sustainably is no more difficult than building conventionally and the skills can readily be picked up by women and youth. I truly believe that educating First Nations people about sustainability in housing will improve many, many lives.
About You
About You
First Name
becky
Last Name
big canoe
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
Becky Big Canoe
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
Environative Sustainable Design and Build
Website
Country
Canada, ON
Please confirm that this project could benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
Yes
Twitter URL
Facebook URL
Youtube URL
What categories best describe who your group or organization serves (check all that apply)
First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.
What best describes your group or organization
Non-profit organization.
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
Less than a year
Innovation
Name Your Entry
Sustainable Building Design and Construction
Tell us the story of your idea or project
Basically I want to create linkages between First Nations peoples and training institutes which can provide them with Sustainable Building Design and Construction training. I believe strongly in sustainable building principles and practices and think that they would go a long way towards improving education, employment and housing issues that many First Nations communities face. I built myself a strawbale house back in 1999 and have been living happily in it ever since. This house is economical, sturdy and never has mold problems. Building sustainably is no more difficult than building conventionally and the skills can readily be picked up by women and youth. I truly believe that educating First Nations people about sustainability in housing will improve many, many lives.
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
My idea is to find/create training opportunities for First Nations people to learn the principles and practices of sustainable building.
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Start-Up (a project that is just getting started)
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please tell us about the social impact of your idea or proect
I envision empowered people, especially women and youth, picking up hammers and measuring tapes, and building good, sustainable, healthy homes.
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
I want to find a project that will serve as the initial training opportunity for at least a dozen First Nations people.
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
A sustainable construction workforce will be forming and will be bringing the knowledge and skills of sustainable building into their communities and teaching others.
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
I took the Sustainable Building Design and Construction program at Fleming College. The instructor of the program, Chris Magwood, has formed his own not-for-profit venture called Endeavour and he is very interested in working with me to develop this training program. He has the skills to teach and I want to form the training partnership bridge.
If there are other people/partners that you will reach out to tell us who they are and why they will be important to your idea or project.
I will be working on bringing this idea to First Nations, Tribal Councils, Treaty organizations, government, not-for-profit training institutes, etc. It is going to take the combined efforts and resources of many different groups to fund and support the trainees.
Describe the kinds of support you receive (other than money) or will need to support your idea or project (e.g.: donated, space, equipment and volunteers)
I am not sure about this.
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
No (skip next two questions)
 | 17 weeks agobecky big canoe said: Thanks so much for your ongoing support. I have to admit finding it a bit difficult to use this site, but I'll try to get some ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 17 weeks agocarolyn doyle said: Hi Becky! Thank you so much for posting your entry and responding to comments and questions! As a reviewer, I think it would be really ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 18 weeks agobecky big canoe said: I think one of the organizations that I know of that best illustrates the idea is the Red Feather Development group in the United ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 18 weeks agoDenise Porter said: Would you please send more info on your project? I am a Metis woman in BC doing an online Masters in Community Development and one of ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 23 weeks agoKristie Wang said: Hello! I really enjoyed reading about your idea. Could you tell us a little more about the housing challenges (or others) that are ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 25 weeks agocarolyn doyle said: You may want to include your response within your entry. Your idea is really great and that extra information may help reviewers ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 25 weeks agobecky big canoe said: Miigwech Carolyn. I had done this big reply to you a couple of days ago but I guess I didn't post it right. Anyway, I'll be getting back ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 25 weeks agobecky big canoe said: Chi miigwech Bro, I'm gonna check out AMIK project...I like your ideas too man. I'd be happy to network with you too. This housing ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 25 weeks agoJohnny Hawke said: Hey Needji Kwe, Awesome Idea and I know you have the ambition and drive to make this happen. Lets network and get some things going ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 25 weeks agocarolyn doyle said: I like your idea a lot. In particular, I like that your idea addresses housing challenges while supporting learning. Could you share a ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
