A Saskatchewan First Nation family will have a new, tiny home to call their own after a Winnipeg company partnered with a crowdfunding campaign run by indigenous activists.
Idle No More leaders launched an Indiegogo campaign in October titled "One House, Many Nations" to crowdfund the construction of a house for one family. The campaign reached its $15,000 goal, and now construction is underway thanks to Mini Homes of Manitoba.
The company specializes in building eco-friendly, small homes. Because of their size, the tiny homes are more affordable to heat and maintain.
Among its features include solar panels, a wood stove, a box garden and a composting toilet.
The finished house will be shipped to a family of four on Big River First Nation by Christmas, according to CBC News.
Once this home is complete, the campaign intends to focus on doing the same for others — tackling Canada's First Nations housing crisis one home at a time.
"It is shameful that we are in one of the wealthiest countries in the world and yet we need your help."
According to Statistics Canada, nearly half of First Nations people living on reserves in 2006 said they lived in homes in need of major repairs.
In Alberta, Siksika First Nation residents are still waiting for their homes to be repaired two-and-a-half years after they were damaged by severe flooding.
“We’ve not been given a voice,” Siksika resident Ben Crow Chief told the Calgary Herald. Crow Chief has been living in a teepee to protest issues with construction and spending on the reserve.
“We have no choice but to fight to have that voice,” he said.
A 67-page Senate report from July noted there are not enough buildings in Canada to house the country's indigenous population.
With the intent to continue fundraising, the campaign is sticking to its message that housing is a "basic human right." To organizers, waiting is not an option.
"A healthy, productive and dignified home brings life and joy to families. We are not waiting for the Federal government to fulfill Treaty terms and promises; Indigenous children and their parents need immediate housing repairs and houses," reads the campaign's page.
Canadians are being asked to pitch in with donations on future builds. Organizers couldn't help but note some irony with their ask.
"It is shameful that we are in one of the wealthiest countries in the world and yet we need your help."
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