Page 16

When the Elders of Arviat, an Inuit community on the west shore of Hudson Bay, were asked to contribute their ideas on housing project for seniors and people with disabilities, they drew deeply on their own traditions.

They wanted the building to be a familiar shape, like the igloo (snow house) and the quamaq (skin house), and the interior layout to resemble that of traditional shelters. This meant sleeping areas grouped together at one end of the building, a central cooking area, and plenty of room to sew skins and furs, or to carve soapstone.

Page 16

When the Elders of Arviat, an Inuit community on the west shore of Hudson Bay, were asked to contribute their ideas on housing project for seniors and people with disabilities, they drew deeply on their own traditions.

They wanted the building to be a familiar shape, like the igloo (snow house) and the quamaq (skin house), and the interior layout to resemble that of traditional shelters. This meant sleeping areas grouped together at one end of the building, a central cooking area, and plenty of room to sew skins and furs, or to carve soapstone.

Page 15

Homes aren't the only things to have been built under a housing program in Quebec. The Montagnais du Lac-Saint-Jean Band in Mashteuiatsh, Quebec, has also experienced a growth of qualified construction workers and the creation of spin-off businesses to support the building boom.

The band's housing program which encourages self-sufficiency, and fuels the drive to self-government, has won a 1994 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in the Financing and Tenure category.

Page 15

Homes aren't the only things to have been built under a housing program in Quebec. The Montagnais du Lac-Saint-Jean Band in Mashteuiatsh, Quebec, has also experienced a growth of qualified construction workers and the creation of spin-off businesses to support the building boom.

The band's housing program which encourages self-sufficiency, and fuels the drive to self-government, has won a 1994 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in the Financing and Tenure category.

Page 14

Aboriginal actors looking to hone their skills in an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary art forms are invited to apply to a summer training course in Toronto.

The Centre for Indigenous Theatre is offering an eight week training program

from June to August which brings together instructors, core professionals and apprentice students from across North America and Greenland. The centre promotes a contemporary performance culture rooted in principals of the past,.

Page 14

Aboriginal actors looking to hone their skills in an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary art forms are invited to apply to a summer training course in Toronto.

The Centre for Indigenous Theatre is offering an eight week training program

from June to August which brings together instructors, core professionals and apprentice students from across North America and Greenland. The centre promotes a contemporary performance culture rooted in principals of the past,.

Page 14

In Nunavik, the vast region of Quebec north of the 55th parallel, extreme weather conditions present designers and builders with some formidable challenges. Violent winds sweep snow into massive snow banks, and the slightest defect in a building's insulation can make it prey to the icy cold.

Page 14

In Nunavik, the vast region of Quebec north of the 55th parallel, extreme weather conditions present designers and builders with some formidable challenges. Violent winds sweep snow into massive snow banks, and the slightest defect in a building's insulation can make it prey to the icy cold.

Page 13

Across Canada, Elders, once the foundation from which First Nations garnered their strengths, are now frequently found living in conditions of isolation, poverty, and sub-standard housing.

Many bands are working diligently to alter this situation. In Saskatchewan, the Ahtahkakoop First Nation has been relentless in its efforts to secure a safe, feasible alternative in housing for the 80 band Elders who are over 65 years of age.

Page 13

Across Canada, Elders, once the foundation from which First Nations garnered their strengths, are now frequently found living in conditions of isolation, poverty, and sub-standard housing.

Many bands are working diligently to alter this situation. In Saskatchewan, the Ahtahkakoop First Nation has been relentless in its efforts to secure a safe, feasible alternative in housing for the 80 band Elders who are over 65 years of age.