Treaty Three Police Administrative Building

Treaty Three Police Services

The Treaty Three Police Service (T3PS) is responsible for policing 55,000 square miles of the Greater Treaty Three Region in Northwestern Ontario, in 23 First Nations. They have outgrown their current HQ building in Kenora and need to expand. Number TEN is helping to develop a new office and ceremonial space in the nearby Wauzhushk Onigum Nation (WON). This community-focused building will showcase traditional items such as the Okichida Drum that assists the First Nations police officers in their day-to-day duties, supports them spiritually and gives them strength, and the Eagle Staff that provides protection for Treaty Three Police Officers and the communities they serve.

The building is designed to sit comfortably within the landscape. It is inspired by the stately trees, granite outcroppings, brilliant water, and spectacular sunsets of the Lake of the Woods region. Wood is celebrated in the structure of the interior community spaces, on the exterior in a herringbone pattern and as a cladding on the Community Cultural room. Full height vertical windows reveal the cardinal directions. The wooden canopy welcomes visitors and provides shelter. The Cultural Coordinator’s room occupies the most prominent entrance corner to invite community and elders into the space for tea and conversation. Skylights celebrate connection to the sky while the natural flooring celebrates the earth. The plethora of operable windows allow for fresh air and natural light, while the in-house gym and locker rooms provide opportunities for wellness and stress relief to members of the police service.