Apprenticeship

The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte - Transitional Shelters aka Red Cedars Shelters tiny homes
success story

 

 

 

The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte

 

The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte envisioned building affordable transitional homes for women and their families fleeing domestic violence. With the help of funding from sponsors like Indigenous Service Canada, The Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle (ALFDC), and The Ministry of Labour and Training, the women of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte were empowered through on-the-job training.

While addressing the lack of housing in First Nations, they provided affordable homes and help from the partnerships. They trained five women in the construction trade, and 2 of them went on to apprenticeships in the Electrical and Plumbing programs from the pre-apprenticeship training program. In August 2021, the women started constructing the 2,700-square-foot transitional homes.

 

Chris Maracle Project Manager
(Photo Above: Chris Maracle, Project Manager)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Maracle, Project Manager stated, “These homes were built by women in our community. It just proves anybody can build. The trade is not gender specific; my mom was a carpenter, and she built our house. It’s good to see women entering the trades."


In Canada, those in shelters and transitional homes have a limit of 3 months to stay to get their lives back on track. With the construction of these transitional homes, it allows families to stay longer to help them get back on their feet.


The women trained in the construction trade started the construction of the transitional homes in August 2021, now known as the Red Cedars Shelters. These tiny houses have two bedrooms and a bathroom, with an open concept living, dining, and kitchen, as well as storage and on-site laundry, and were completed in March 2022.


The Heels to Workboots pre-apprenticeship training program trained their Mohawk women in carpentry. The training also included two weeks of in-class training to learn carpentry skills such as framing and siding, scaffolding, laying concrete, and much more, providing everything they need to know about the carpentry trade.

 

Tammy Mcguire
Tammy Mcguire - Apprenticeship/ Builder, said she was “Proud, happy, working from the ground to opening that door, it’s just, it’s a great feeling."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kylea Smart
Kylea Smart - Apprentice/Builder, was asked by CTV news, “What was the most challenging part?” Smart answered, “Probably for one, learning more on the fine details." She also stated they assisted with plumbers, HVAC electricians and completed all the carpentry work.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenda Sam Maracle
Glenda 'Sam' Maracle - Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenda ‘Sam’ Maracle – Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle Executive Director, stated, “It snowballed. It started as a dream to have this home available for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Provincially, after three months, either the funding is brought back or the family is made to fend for themselves. These homes provide the ability to go on.”

With the funding from sponsors and the women of the Mohawk of the Bay of Quinte’s hard work with this project has helped resolve several issues.

  • The lack of safe accommodations for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
  • Women entering skills trades.
  • Community unemployment. 

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony in March 2022, Councillor Chris Maracle stated, “This is just the beginning. We will seek approval from the Chief and Council for the first, First Nation Net Zero Tiny Homes Village."

By: Tricia Cook, Content Navigator

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