Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation New Education Facilities
Number TEN has been awarded the design contract for two new education facilities for Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, a vibrant and thriving First Nation based in Nelson House, Manitoba, about 800 kilometres north of Winnipeg and 80 kilometres west of Thompson. The two new schools will be designed to meet projected student growth increases in the community and will replace an existing school that is nearing the end of its useful life. The project includes a new 5,613 sq. m. grade 7 to 12 school with a capacity of 476 students, a new 4,828 sq. m. Kindergarten (K4/K5) to grade 6 school for 587 students, and 1,660 sq. m. of new housing for teachers.

“Our approach is to work closely with the NCN to gain an understanding of the community’s needs, culture, and priorities in order to develop a design that will improve learning outcomes for the people of Nisichawayasihk for decades to come,” says Number TEN partner and practice leader Greg Hasiuk. “Our goal is to provide Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation with state-of-the-art learning environments that will also enhance their cultural identity, land-based education programs, and engagement with the community.”

A key design strategy will be to incorporate proven 21st century learning concepts to more effectively engage a new generation of students and offer new and exciting ways to teach and learn. “Our firm brings leading-edge approaches to 21st century learning developed through extensive research, experience and advocacy work with some of Canada’s most progressive school boards in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta,” says Hasiuk. “Additionally, our extensive experience working with First Nation communities will serve the project well and help achieve positive outcomes for all stakeholders.”

Currently in the pre-design stage, the Nisichawayasihk educational facilities project is targeting occupancy
by 2022.

Project Team
Prime Consultant: Number TEN Architectural Group
Project Manager: P.M. Associates Ltd.
Structural Engineering: Crosier Kilgour & Partners
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering: SMS Engineering
Landscape Architecture: HTFC Planning & Design
Civil Engineering: Neegan Burnside Ltd.
Quantity Surveying: Postma Quantity Surveying
Environmental Assessment: True Grit Engineering