KINISTIN SAULTEAUX NATION — Construction on a new family resource centre at the Kinistin Saulteaux Nation has begun.
When complete, the 8,571 square foot Tikinagan Family Resource Centre will house the First Nation’s family services administrative offices and staff, and provide dedicated spaces for their programs, such as parenting classes, along with a large boardroom and private counselling rooms. It will also feature a kitchen space and a large cultural room to allow for the programming of cooking classes, elders’ gatherings and community events
The groundbreaking took place June 30.
In Cree, Tikinagan means “cradleboard.”
“Like its namesake, the Tikinagan Centre, will be a place where we can nurture children and youth by providing a space where they can be part of the community
and the activities happening around them and with them," said Chief Felix Thomas of Kinistin Saulteaux Nation in a media release. “It will be a safe space for
young people to learn and for community members of all ages to come together.”
The facility is expected to be ready for use in September.
“One of the most interesting features of this building is that this project pairs a high-performance building envelop with a 50kw solar system that will generate a large portion of the building’s energy requirements,” said Bryan McCrea, co-founder of 3twenty Modular of Saskatoon, the contractor designing and building the project.
“We’re proud of the fact that this building will be energy efficient, solar powered, and offer electric vehicle power outlets. As a First Nation and protectors of our environment, we have to lead by example. This is one of the ways we can do that,” Thomas added. “We are excited to see the final building in early fall and celebrate its grand opening in a few short months. This building will finally give us the space we need to ensure we can grow our family services and deliver the programming our people need.”
Kinistin Saulteaux Nation is located roughly 40 kilometres south of Tisdale.
