Wawa Staff Attends First Nations/One Bowl Tree to Home Summit

PRESS RELEASE: July 2, 2024

Wawa Staff Attends First Nations/One Bowl Tree to Home Summit

Jessie Labonte, Wawa Economic Development Assistant, recently attended the Wahkotowin Development First Nation “One Bowl Tree to Home Summit” in Chapleau on June 25, 2024, along with several First Nation communities, municipalities and  housing partners to learn about potential housing solutions in the north.

One Bowl, an Indigenous led social enterprise, has partnered with Boréal, based in Alma, Quebec, to bring together Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Partners to provide housing solutions that offer opportunity for communities to engage in all steps of development, from custom design, construction and finishing product sourcing. Boreal Inc. utilizes Thermolog technology, modern construction and insulation techniques that fit Canadian standards, to create a fully customizable, energy-efficient building that can be delivered and built on site by relatively unskilled individuals in the north.

Attendees were encouraged to participate in the construction of a home located in Brunswick House First Nation and then were invited to view the Eco Lodge project of the Chapleau Cree First Nation located near Sideburned Lake where guests toured homes near completion.

Attendees also participated in discussions throughout the day to learn about opportunities, possible solutions and to make connections for possible future collaboration on housing solutions in the north. Guest speakers included MP Carol Hughes and Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary for Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, as well as Chief Keith Corston, Chapleau Cree First Nation.

To learn more about the Wahkotowin Development’s One Bowl project, visit www.onebowl.org/ or call Jessie Labonte at 705-856-2244 ext. 232.