Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation has built four new duplexes on its land, allowing more Ktunaxa people to live in the community they call home.
The two-bedroom duplexes are designed for single occupants and small families, with environmentally-friendly energy-efficient features like solar panels, heat recovery ventilators and heat pumps.
The buildings are a welcome sight in a community that has faced challenges with overcrowding, inadequate housing and homelessness. Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it is a Ktunaxa band located south of Fernie.
Beckie Cayenne-Ban Quan recently moved back to Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it from Cranbrook to serve her community, and took up residence in one of the new homes.
“Having the ability to reconnect with our families our lands and our culture, and have a safe place to call home, is a phenomenal feeling," she said.
Cayenne-Ban Quan is now working for ʔa·kanuxunik̓ Wellness and Cultural Relations.
"The duplex has made the transition easy," she added.
Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it’s housing and maintenance staff got special training to help maintain the energy-efficient features in the duplexes.
"This knowledge can be passed along to occupants. It ensures tenant-related maintenance is completed while reducing costly contractor call-outs," said Housing and Infrastructure manager Chelsea Gray.
The housing project was made possible through an $880,000 contribution from Columbia Basin Trust. The Trust has helped build or make improvements to 41 units, and has installed 20 solar panel arrays at Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it to date.
Since 2017, it has funded 96 affordable homes, installed 103 solar panel arrays and completed upgrades on 218 homes through the First Nations Housing Sustainability Initiative.
Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it plans to continue developing more net-zero housing in future, adding homes for larger families, with the goal of providing every resident with a safe and affordable place to live.
"We are building for longevity, health and happiness,” said nasu?kin (chief) Heidi Gravelle.