An idea that originated five years, the same time that Point Pelee’s Pioneer area was renamed Madbin Jina, came to fruition with the opening of a new building that houses a traditional learning circle within Point Pelee National Park. Funded through a program called Stories of Canada, the new build will allow the Caldwell First Nation to have a place to build community and to share their history with others.
Carrie Ann Peters, Caldwell’s language and culture coordinator, was in attendance at the September 20th opening. “It feels great to finally see the finished product, to see how the design has actually become a finished space,” she said.
The circular shelter has removable window panels, a wood-burning stove, a kitchen, and space for up to 40 people for traditional ceremonies and learning sessions.
Point Pelee’s project coordinator Dan Dufour was also in attendance at the opening. “We met with the community as a whole and found that the Caldwell First Nation wanted a gathering space within the national park,” he said. “This build is a big upgrade as the previous structure was very rustic and had no utilities.”
One of the building’s architects, Greg Jimenez of Baird AE, spoke about the addition to the Madbin Jina area. “It was great to work on this, including the whole process with Dan and Carrie,” said Jimenez. “It’s unique in its circular design as it took inspiration from the medicine wheel. A blue spruce has been incorporated in the build and the window design will allow for use three seasons a year.”
Dufour and Peters also wanted to express their gratitude to Sawatzky Developments for building the new facility as Parks Canada and the Caldwell First Nation continue to strengthen their relationship moving forward.
