b'IT TAKES A VILLAGE Design rendering by Cibinel Architecture.Indigenous-led supportive housing project moves forward in WinnipegBy Matthew BradfordWinnipeg is home to Canadas largest urban Indigenousmaybe move on to more permanent housing, says Rosalyn population. Yet as of 2018, individuals who self-identify asBoucha, a representative of Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre. Indigenous represented two-thirds (65.9 per cent) 1of the overTINY HOMES, BIG IMPACT1,100 people who experience homelessness within the cityThe Village will be comprised of 22 small, private living spaces on any given night. The numbers are telling, and they also(aka tiny homes), each of which will make full use of its space. serve as the inspiration behind The Village, an Indigenous-ledThey will feature sloped vaulted wood panel ceilings and supportive housing project that intends to turn the tide. large front-facing windows to promote connectivity with the The development, also known by its traditional name,buildings natural surroundings.Astum Api Niikinaahk (This is Our Home Here), is takingWe wanted to avoid creating a smaller version of a colonial shape next to the Circle of Life Thunderbird House on Maincommunity model, like tiny homes as a tiny suburb, says Street. The project is led by Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata CentreMichael Robertson, Partner with Cibinel Architecture. "We with support from six Indigenous organizations, includingasked Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers and lived-End Homelessness Winnipeg, Eagle Urban Transition Centre,experience groups questions about how the future residents the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg, Aboriginal Health andwould want to live together, and the model became about Wellness Centre, Ka Ni Kanichihk and Thunderbird House.interdependence and communal support. So while the Working with Bockstael Construction and Cibinel Architecturehomes are quite rectilinear, their organization is inspired by Ltd., the group aims to introduce a communal housing modelthe patterns of traditional settlements organized around a grounded in Indigenous values and informed by traditionalcommunal lodge." culture and the clan system.Initially, the projects design used renovated storage containers The idea behind Astum Api Niikinaahk is to provide theas Astum Api Niikinaahks tiny homes. Early into planning, shelter, on-site programming and support that gets people tohowever, the team switched to a more feasible modular wood-a point where they can become a little more independent andframed construction. 38 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'