First Peoples Building Standard -
Educational Pathways Project
The Pathways Project is focused on developing learning opportunities that will support the implementation of the West Coast Building Standard.
The First Peoples Building Standard Educational Pathways Project (Pathways Project) is part of ongoing collaboration between Nations to facilitate the construction of high performance housing that is energy efficient, durable, culturally appropriate, healthy and affordable to build and maintain.
The project follows UNDRIP Article 23 and is directed by an all Indigenous Governance Committee comprised of Red Seal Trades people, engineers, and past CMHC housing inspectors (on reserve housing).
The Pathways Project is made possible through collaboration between multiple Nations, Indigenous organizations, and BC post-secondaries.
What the Pathways Project partners are working to accomplish.
The Pathways Project prioritizes on-reserve housing solutions and is developing learning pathways that use micro-credentials to support the implementation of the West Coast Building Standard (WCBS) and related Indigenous Housing Standards developed for and by Nations.
The West Coast Building Standard, a resource developed by Hereditary Chief Smawn (Richard Hall) of Nuxalk Nation, represents a paradigm shift towards self-determination over housing development that is considerate of holistic community development objectives.
The objective of the project is to ensure that social, economic, housing, and other sustainable development objectives are considered when housing is developed and that the participation of Indigenous leadership in the construction, maintenance, and renovation of housing continues to be at the forefront.
Governance Committee
The Pathways Project benefits from the guidance of the Governance Committee made up of Indigenous builders, inspectors, and housing experts. This group represents multiple climatic and cultural regions in BC and includes:
Richard Hall of Nuxalk Nation with over 38 years of First Nations housing as a Red Seal home builder, construction manager, site supervisor, housing and asset manager, qualified building inspector, wood energy technician, and home designer.
Chris Alphonse of Cowichan Tribes Vancouver Island has worked in construction since 1980, as a certified carpenter since 1984 and as a First Nations Building inspector for 17 years.
Cliff Grant of the Haisla Nation spent 15 years as MHC SR Advisor Aboriginal Capacity Development for BC and the Yukon, five years with the Aboriginal Housing Management Association as Director of Strategic Relations and is an SFU EMBA Candidate.
Connie Davis of the Cree/Dunne-Za tribes from the West Moberly First Nations in Treaty 8 Territory is an experienced 4th Class Power Engineer with seven years experience working with CMHC on Indigenous Housing. She is currently the Director of Indigenous Relations and Engagements at FNHIC. She holds an MBA in Indigenous Governance and Leadership from SFU and is currently pursuing a PhD in Civil Engineering at UBCO.
Ernie Westgarth of Nisga decent from Lox Lax Sea Lion Upon the Rock. Ernie Westgarth is a contractor with 40 years in the trade and 25 years in First Nation housing.
Joe Shuter of Nłeʔke̓pmx Nation is a Red Seal Journeyman Carpenter with over 35 years experience. In addition, he is a qualified CMHC First Nation building inspector, holds a BCIT Building Technology Diploma, was a Construction Manager for five years, a Housing Manager for 10 years and INAC Capital Programs officer for one-and-a-half years. He is currently, the Cultural Coordinator for Lower Nicola Indian Band.
Leo Herbert is an Indigenous person affiliated with the Sawridge Band, Slave Lake, Alta. He has been a guest on the unceded traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh since 1967. Leo has been involved in finding solutions with and for Indigenous communities on and off reserve housing since 1981.
Richard Joseph born and raised in Wetsuweten Nation of Hagwilget in the North West of BC. He holds a degree in Criminology from S.F.U. and was employed by Province of B.C. for 15 years as a Probation Officer in the N.W. Richard worked as a home renovator in the N.W. for 10 years, with the last 2 years as a certified energy advisor. He is now a full time energy champion the Energy Peers in Indigenous Communities program (E.P.I.C.).
Meet The Team Leading This Project
Richard Hall
Olaf Nielsen
Jordan Perrault
Michelle Canaday B. Ed. M. Ed.
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