Client
Sagamok Anishnawbek
Location
Sagamok, Ontario
Project Scale
$26 Million

A sustainable, culturally-rich K-8 school

Sagamok Anishnawbek is an Ontario-based community with a population of approximately 3,295 people. The First Nation broke ground on a new K-8 school in April 2022, marking a meaningful investment in both education and culture.

Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik elementary is an important project for the growing community, as the new school encompasses several services and supports for children and their families. The school also offers traditional teachings, enabling the community to embed its rich culture and history within the curriculum.

The design of the 30,000 sq. ft. single-story facility includes wood, cross-laminated timber and other natural, sustainable materials. It also incorporates colours from the medicine wheel, including a cultural space with sliding glass wall panels that open to provide direct access to the outdoors for smudging and other ceremonial traditions.

The school’s traditional teaching spaces include a teaching kitchen, native language room, a multipurpose cafeteria/theatre, and classrooms with dedicated breakout areas for sensory teaching. The facility also includes several outdoor amenities, as well as a large gym complete with an electronic scoreboard, community logos embedded in the floor, dividers to accommodate multiple classes, and a stage for performances and assemblies.

 

Quick Facts

Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik is a 30,000 sq. ft. K-8 school that embedded local culture into its design and curriculum.

The school is built with natural materials, such as cross-laminated timber, and showcases the colours of the medicine wheel.

Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik is an important addition to the community, offering services and supports for children and their families under one roof.

 

A collaborative, supportive partnership

With a vision for its new school in mind, the Sagamok Anishnawbek engaged our project management team to help bring it to life.
 
Project planning began in spring 2019. However, as plans became more concrete, the 2020 pandemic hit, impacting construction. To mitigate delays, our team worked closely with the First Nation as well as funding partner Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and the contractor to find solutions to supply chain and labour shortages wherever possible.
 
In support of scheduling, the school’s project team adjusted its design, shifting certain responsibilities – such as sourcing equipment and appliances – to Sagamok’s Chief and Council. As the owner’s representative, our team stepped in to support the community, helping them procure the items they needed to open the school in time for the 2024 school year.
 
The community’s willingness to share its vision, culture and hope for the future with our project managers and project team played a key role in driving the development of the new school. The collaboration, communication and accountability of each party involved made this project a success.
 
The opening of the Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik school is a monumental accomplishment for the community and a symbol of support for Sagamok youth.
 
Collaboratively drafting blueprints