Amik Wigiwamikewen

A Healthy Homes Building Curriculum

Amik Wigiwamikewen translates to 'Beaver Building', a name chosen by our Council of Wisdom Keepers. It is a training program created by Keepers of the Circle and it aims to empower Indigenous trades workers to build healthy homes for their communities for the next 7 generations.

It will be an online training curriculum that combines educational videos and interactive content to help upskill apprentices with the knowledge to approach building in a good way with an Indigenous lens. This includes an understanding and awareness of green techniques, materials, design, and approaches. 

It will also be a tool for unions and employers to understand how to create culturally safe workplaces for Indigenous apprentices and employees. When creating the video component, we are supporting real-life community projects to provide hands-on training and work experiences to Indigenous apprentices.

There are a few steps we're taking to create this curriculum:

• Working with, and supporting Indigenous led green building projects
• Hiring Indigenous apprentices to work on these projects
• Creating videos and interactive curriculum content
• Hiring a group of apprentices and professionals to take the program and offer feedback before officially launching

Building Projects

Our goal is to showcase Indigenous-led green housing projects in our educational videos. Do you have a building project or know of one? Whether it’s finished or upcoming, we’d love to hear from you! If you’re not sure that your project fits, but you are interested, please reach out regardless!

We are especially looking to showcase:

HRV system installation, Natural Building Materials, Low Maintenance Landscaping, Climate Disaster Preparedness, Siding/roofing and Renewable Energy Projects

What we can offer: 

• Offset costs - We'll support you with offsetting the cost of tools, materials and training
• Apprentices - We’ll bring apprentices to work on your project and cover 70% of their wage
• Empowerment - you will be part of leading a changing industry and inspiring others to follow in your footsteps