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Building Hope: The New Modular Home Factory in Kirkland Lake
In a significant step towards enhancing housing solutions and empowering Indigenous women, construction has commenced on a new $20-million modular home manufacturing facility in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Set to become a vital resource for local communities, this project is the brainchild of Keepers of the Circle, an urban Indigenous hub dedicated to improving social and economic equality for Indigenous women in the region.
A Vision Transformed into Reality
The factory, located at 300 Archer Drive, will occupy a substantial 24,000-square-foot area and is expected to open its doors in June 2026. Bertha Cormier, the executive director of Keepers of the Circle, shared that this initiative builds upon a successful pilot project launched in late 2022. Initially, six Indigenous women learned essential construction skills while building a modular tiny home for an individual facing homelessness. This transformative experience showcased their capability to work with tools and read measurements, despite starting without any prior knowledge.
Empowerment Through Employment
The new facility will serve as a permanent site for ongoing training and production, ensuring a continuous flow of employment opportunities for Indigenous women. Cormier emphasized that while men may also work in the factory, preference will be given to Indigenous women, who statistically face homelessness at higher rates. "This is an Indigenous women-led social enterprise for Indigenous women," she stated, highlighting the initiative's focus on empowering those who often find themselves marginalized in society.
Community-Centric Construction
Once completed, the factory will have the capacity to produce up to 100 sustainable modular homes annually, with the potential to employ 30 people per shift. The design of these homes will particularly address urgent housing needs in northern and remote First Nations throughout Northern Ontario. Cormier pointed out, "Many communities are living in homes with mold, poor ventilation, or reliant on diesel generators. Our hope is that Indigenous communities will benefit from living in Indigenous-designed, healthy homes that last for generations."
A Model of Reconciliation and Support
The Kirkland Lake mayor, Stacy Wight, praised the initiative, highlighting the symbolic act of the municipality selling the land to Keepers of the Circle for just $1 per acre in July 2024. This sale exemplifies the town's commitment to action-based reconciliation rather than mere rhetoric. Mayor Wight stated, "This is an excellent partnership that demonstrates how Kirkland Lake is proactively taking steps towards reconciling with the Indigenous peoples who were here first.”
Seizing Opportunities in Sustainable Housing
The choice of modular construction is significant for various reasons. These homes, built indoors year-round, can be transported even in winter, allowing for convenient installation during the warmer months. This streamlined process aims to alleviate existing housing crises, ensuring that communities no longer struggle with inadequate living conditions.
Looking Ahead: The Impact Beyond Construction
The forthcoming factory is not just a building—it's a vision for a future where Indigenous communities can thrive in safe and suitable housing. As this project progresses towards its completion, it sets a precedent for similar initiatives that prioritize community empowerment and sustainability. The goal is clear: to foster healthy living environments that will endure not only for the next decade but for generations to come.
A Call to Local Support
This initiative provides a powerful reminder of how local enterprises can make a profound impact. The community's involvement can play a pivotal role in helping these projects thrive. Whether through support in construction, training, or simply by spreading the word, the potential for change begins at the grassroots level. As Kirkland Lake demonstrates, meaningful change requires collaboration and commitment.
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