Sheshegwaning First Nation will realize a long-held dream for community development, as it puts the finishing touches on its brand-new, $4.5-million Leadership Centre in the coming months.
In the works since 2012, the facility will add 13,000 square feet to the existing 5,700-square-foot administration building — more than doubling the space — which will enable the community to build on its economic development and cultural ambitions.
“Our staffing composition and the economic development partnerships that we have in the community have grown a lot since the late ’80s,” Joan Sheppard, Sheshegwaning’s executive director, said of the community.
“So, the focus of the project was very much economic development.… It's an opportunity to build economic growth within the community.”
Situated on the northern shores of western Manitoulin Island, the Odawa community has a membership of 419, including 111 people residing on reserve, as well as permanent residents.
As more members return home and others choose to relocate there, room is limited, which is creating some bottlenecks when it comes to housing, office space, and areas to celebrate cultural connections, Sheppard said.
“Manitoulin’s one of those places people like to come home to,” she said.
“Also it's beautiful here. You're able to maintain that connection with the outdoors and a more traditional lifestyle and those types of things.”
In operation since 1988, the existing facility has room for administrative offices and multi-purpose uses, but not much else. Its building systems and envelope are outdated and need upgrading to meet contemporary building code standards.
Construction of the new portion of the building, being undertaken by the Sudbury firm Prosperi, got underway about 18 months ago, Sheppard said, and should be completed within the next two to three months.
Included in the plans are offices for three band-owned businesses — Odawa Stone landscaping supply, the Odawa Island Farms fish operation, and Odawa Freshwater Gardens, a hydroponic farm — which are currently spread out in the community, along with space for Sheshegwaning’s economic development staff.
“It will bring these businesses together under one roof, which also hopefully will provide opportunity for more collaboration as well,” Sheppard said.
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A cultural events space will feature prominently in the new building, with an office for Sheshegwaning’s cultural coordinator, an exhibition area for local artists and artisans, and a healing lodge that will enable residents to hold events and celebrations year-round.
At its centre will be an octagonally shaped fire arbour with seating around its perimeter.
“So, you could have teachings, or a small gathering, or just personal reflection, and an opportunity for more cultural engagement,” Sheppard said.
To help build the project, Sheshegwaning received funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, FedNor, the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program, and Indigenous Services Canada. The community is also contributing funding.
“We were very lucky to have partnerships with multiple funders to make this a reality,” Sheppard said.
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Capacity to accommodate a second phase was built into the project, and planning for that stage is already underway.
It will comprise a full-sized gymnasium that can be used both by the elementary school and for larger community activities. If there’s a major downpour on a powwow weekend, for example, that event could move inside, Sheppard said.
There will also be auxiliary recreational space available, along with offices for the community’s Child and Family Services team.
Conversations with funders for this portion of the project have already begun, Sheppard said.
“Realistically, it is a small community,” she said. “We can only do so many things at once, so it is kind of making sense for it to be done in a staged approach.”
It’s a bustling time for Sheshegwaning, which has had a number of other projects on the go in recent years.
Because most of the available surveyed land is occupied, Sheppard said, they’re looking at opening up additional property to accommodate a new subdivision, and planning is also underway on a new school, with that project expected to go to tender shortly.
The band-owned enterprises are growing, too. Odawa Stone continues to see an increase in sales, Sheppard said, and Odawa Freshwater Farms, which launched its first container farm in 2020, is getting ready to open a second unit to meet demand for freshly grown produce.
“So I would say a lot of what we're doing now is trying to grow existing businesses and continue to explore new possibilities.”