Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, announced a federal investment of $8.5 million to build a central education, social and cultural facility within the heart of the Nlaka’pamux Nation in British Columbia.
This new facility will provide a community space that reflects the Nlaka’pamux and include childcare spaces, afterschool and youth programming, family drop-in, and a cultural gathering space to host cultural celebrations and support knowledge exchange and language revitalization. This project also includes a commercial teaching kitchen, a community café, a library and Elders lounge. The Nzen’man’ Birds Nest Project building is designed with a strong focus on sustainability, cultural preservation, and climate resilience. It incorporates various features and materials to ensure its longevity and relevance for generations to come. The design and construction of the building will adhere to the requirements of the Canada Green Buildings Council Net Zero Carbon standards, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility.
Moreover, the building’s design will embody a deep connection to the local climate and land. Materials indigenous to the land will be utilized, such as timber charred by the Lytton Creek Fire, symbolizing the resilience and transformation that emerged from the devastating event. Rammed earth will be incorporated into the exterior, reflecting the earth-based construction methods rooted in Nlaka’pamux traditions.
To ensure the design truly represents the Nlaka’pamux culture, Nlaka’pamux Knowledge Keepers will play a vital role in guiding and shaping the architectural choices and cultural features of the building. Their wisdom and expertise will ensure that the building becomes a meaningful and authentic reflection of Nlaka’pamux values, traditions, and ways of life and a lasting symbol of cultural preservation and resilience.
The Nzen’man’ Child and Family Development Centre Society is a non-profit, charitable organization, created in 1993 after community consultation to address the history and impacts of children attending St. Georges Residential School which operated in the community for over 80 years. The programs and services it provides are built on the Nlaka’pamux ways of knowledge keeping, so children grow up in more inclusive and caring communities, providing safe, supportive child care.
By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.