The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) has covered the work of Frontiers Foundation in Kitcisakik, Quebec.
The whole report can be viewed on their website at http://bcove.me/t04jyxd0.
The video is named 'Quebec First Nation Community beating the odds' and contains an interview with FF Regional Coordinator Lylas Polson.
For nearly sixteen months, thanks to a $995,000 grant from HRSDC's Aboriginal Skill Training and Strategic Initiative Fund (ASTSIF), over one hundred young Cree, Ojibwa and Algonquin trainees in Garden Hill, Manitoba; Collins, Ontario; and Kitcisakik, Quebec combined timber harvesting, portable saw-milling, foundations, framing, wiring, plumbing, insulating, dry-walling, roofing and finishing with certifiable training in the completion of nine, safe, warm, affordable homes.
The attached photo shows eleven graduate trainees of 'Standing Tree to Standing Home' at Garden Hill, Manitoba. Everyone completed all five modules of the course, from harvesting to finishing construction. As well, 43 (including the eleven) completed the chainsaw operation, safety and first aid training. Trainer Brain Monkman (bearded) stands in the back row.
Brand new 4 bedroom frame house was delivered officially at midday last Saturday March 26, 2011 in Lanark Highlands, Ontario, a good 1 hrs. drive West of Ottawa.
The construction of this house began in earnest last mid November 2010 supervised by Steve Bulloch.
Lanark house - before
On Sunday November 14, Charles Catto Frontiers Foundation Founding Director visited 731 Bow Lake Road in Lanark Highlands, a good hour drive east of Ottawa.
This is the site of Pat and Laura Kemp’s new four bedroom home, replacing their old ramshackle dwelling now pulled down and removed. The new basement and septic system are now in place, with much of the building materials including roof trusses now on site. Construction Supervisor is Journeyman Carpenter Steve Bullock who has built fifty frame houses and is a longtime neighbour and friend of Pat’s. Fourteen local family and friends have already signed up to help as volunteers, and more are expected from the Advocates Society, which has already contributed very generously with cash support. Rev. Rod Bennett, local United Church minister is on board too, and the same local Service Clubs and Women’s Groups that assisted so powerfully with previous housing projects in Smiths Falls and Almonte will hopefully join in as well.
We look forward to the completion of another strong chapter in the Operation Beaver story.
Lanark house - removing the original
New Lanark house being constructed
The Szabo’s plight became a major story in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper. With Community volunteer support and donations of material, labour, furniture, and household items, Frontiers Foundation built the Szabo’s a brand new certified R 2000 house.
In December 2000 the Szabo family moved into their new three bedroom home.
The Szabo family’ spent seven winters living in a cramped, abandoned old bus with only a small oil stove for heat. In 1998 Canadian soldiers, searching near Smiths Falls for victims of the ice storm stumbled upon the Szabo family freezing in an old school bus.
You can donate to Frontiers Foundation through CanadaHelps.org. You will receive a charitable tax receipt for every donation.
419 Coxwell Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M4L 3B9
Tel: (416) 690-3930
Fax: (416) 690-3934
