Five Days to make a canoe paddle: Indigenous Skills workshop in Campbell River
Over two weeks participants from two groups were offered 5 days to create a canoe paddle of their own. Dean Heron and Elder George Hunt Jr. were innovative in their delivery of instructions to the cohorts, weaving traditional and contemporary knowledge of cedar, tools and safety. Dean is the Indigenous Skills Lead and mentor for […]
Paddle Pendant workshop in Esquimalt: In-person learning with Dean Heron
In-person Indigenous Skills workshops returned to Victoria for the first time in a long time, this past June, marking a welcome return to traditional instruction and an opportunity to introduce small groups of enthusiastic youth to contemporary trades and traditional knowledge. In consideration of the continued pandemic, both the Esquimalt First Nation and the Indigenous […]
Witset First Nation welcomes CFBC into community for Indigenous Skills workshop
The Construction Foundation of BC wrapped up a successful, four-day Indigenous Skills workshop in the community of Witset earlier this Spring. Participants in the community received virtual instruction from First Nations artist and Indigenous Catalyst Dean Heron once-per-week over the course of four weeks, en route to carving and completing their very own traditional Canoe […]
CFBC: Highlights from 2020
Like many organizations, the Construction Foundation of BC team overcame unique barriers this past year as everyone adapted to a new way of socially distanced operations. The CFBC team continued to perform virtual workshops, produce content and collaborate with several organizations to continue educational opportunities. It’s a testament to our stakeholders and partners that there […]
DREAM MACHINE SPOTLIGHT: Artist Peter Wayne Gong
(Originally posted December 2, 2019) Artist Peter Wayne Gong is using art as a means of connecting with West Coast youth by providing an example of what can be done through hard work and perseverance. An accomplished Coast Salish artist from Squamish Nation, Peter finds inspiration in his art by drawing upon his life experiences […]
DREAM MACHINE SPOTLIGHT: Chef Andrew George
As part of this year’s Skills Canada Indigenous Skills Showcase, artist and the Construction Foundation of BC’s Catalyst, Indigenous Communities, Dean Heron spoke with renowned chef Andrew George about his life and career in the culinary industry. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL George was born in Smithers, British Columbia, raised in Telkwa and attended Vancouver […]
DREAM MACHINE SPOTLIGHT: Artist Danika Naccarella
The Construction Foundation of BC’s (CFBC) Catalyst, Indigenous Communities, Dean Heron spoke with Northwest Coast artist Danika Naccarella earlier this year as part of the CFBC’s 2020 Indigenous Skills Showcase. Descending from Nuxalk & Gwa’sala-Nakwaxda’xw ancestry, Danika, a young and emerging artist from Bella Coola, shared her education and experiences leading up to her current […]
HERE FOR GOOD: Don Roberts makes significant donation to aspiring artists in BC
At nearly 98 years old, machinist Don Roberts recently made a significant contribution to aspiring artists through the Construction Foundation, donating hundreds of carving blades he had created and accumulated over his career to schools and First Nations students throughout the province. Over his long and varied working life, Don tried on many jobs. He […]
CFBC team continues to adapt during month of June
June marked another month in the books for what has become quite the year for the Construction Foundation. The Foundation team continued to push forward on a number of initiatives and workshops while adapting to the current times and precautions that are being taken during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The turn of the month saw […]
The CFBC team continues to deliver workshops…from a distance
The Construction Foundation team has been taking measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19 by moving to remote work protocols for our offices. But that does not mean our work has stopped. One thing we know is that learning happens in a number of different ways and that is why we are activating a […]
