Another new house for Whitecap thanks to carpentry program
- EFN Staff | February 06, 2017
Alexandra Red Bear from Whitecap Dakota First Nation received the keys to her new home on Wednesday January 25th. Receiving a wheelchair accessible home will be “life changing” for her family.
The home was built as a part of the High School Carpentry Apprenticeship Program (HCAP). HCAP students have been building the house for several months. It will be the seventh house to be provided to Whitecap through a partnership with the school division.
Related: Students build another new house for Whitecap Dakota First Nation
Mason Nikbakht was one of the students who worked on building the home with the HCAP program. They were given blueprints, a schedule and worked on the project in sections. “Today is exciting, and a relief to be done. I thought it was a great opportunity.” Mason was able to apply learning of other courses such as electronics and math into the build. “This is a great program, to see our hard work going towards someone in need getting a wheelchair accessible home. It’s a nice house.”
In 2003, HCAP began as a pilot project at Bedford Road and Mount Royal collegiates. It has grown to become a city-wide program based out of Mount Royal that all public high school students can apply to attend. Upon completion of a semester with HCAP, students receive six high school credits and various industry certifications, along with several hours of hands-on experience in a number of home construction disciplines. The program is an excellent example of what happens when you share common goals. HCAP and Whitecap Dakota provide an opportunity to create a harmonious relationship between the students a Westmount and the First Nation community.
Cameron Scott, Public School Board Trustee for Saskatoon Ward 4 spoke to the concept of handing over keys as a “sign of a new beginning, not only for the new home owner, but for the students as well, who gained valuable skills, experiences and life lessons. We have also given the students a key for life.”