Naicatchewenin First Nation was seeking the creation of a dedicated Culture and Learning Centre in their community. The new facility reinforces the community’s vision and long-term goals: education, training, cultural learning and family wellbeing.
The building includes education and training rooms, cultural and traditional teaching spaces, and family wellbeing, child and family learning spaces.
The design intent was to provide a holistic and supportive environment for healthy child development, strong family connections, and culturally appropriate education and training opportunities for its members. As such, First Nations culture has been embedded into the Community Centre spatially, socially, and experientially; beyond building form alone. This knowledge and cultural significance was determined through community/elder consultation.
Gwekwaadziwin Treatment facility, located in M’Chigeeng Ontario, utilizes traditional teachings from the land.
The treatment center is divided into four (4) main programs, administration, intake and assessment, the residence, and the commons.
When designing this facility, indigenous culture was at the heart of every decision. Connecting the building to the natural elements and creating a home like environment were both key factor in the buildings design. This can be seen through the building’s spatial organization, materiality, and orientation.
Benbowopka Treatment Centre bases their treatment on traditional teachings and connection to the land. The design of the facility reflects this through its orientation, materiality, and the spatial organization. The 17,900sf Centre is divided into six (6) main programs; administration, intake and assessment, feasting, traditional teaching, residences, and commons. Residences have been organized into four separate wings or ‘clans’. Each clan provides users with their own room and shared common area for traditional learning.
The Centre is situated on a naturally forested site along the shores of Lake Huron.
3rdLine.Studio designed Kenjgewin Teg (KT) as a flexible learning environment for those pursuing trade vocations. While programming is comprised of a series of specialized shops, classrooms and support spaces, common spaces are informed by First Nation traditions and teachings of the Seven Grandfathers – lending to students greater understanding of Indigenous worldviews while learning trade skills.
The multiuse facility is a combination of renovating the existing fish plant and a new addition at Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation. This building was developed as an important public space within the community. The facility offers a large indoor, day-lit multiuse space immediately adjacent other outdoor community recreation facilities.
This multi-use space accommodates a variety of functions and uses, including community events like weddings and conferences as well as recreational activities, such as basketball and volleyball.
Noojmowin Teg Health Centre is a recognized primary health organization which provides diverse services in primary health, mental health, health prevention and promotion, and traditional services to the seven First Nations and off-reserve Aboriginal/ Indigenous populations within the Manitoulin Island District and is one of Ten Aboriginal Health Access Centres located in Ontario. The original health facility was built in 2005 with an addition completed in 2016. The building integrates a variety of traditional healing spaces and support as well as offices, examination rooms, and multipurpose room.
