Open Architecture Network

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Aboriginal Toronto - where is it? We’d like to give that question an answer. We are currently working to provide a centre to foster the cultural and educational development of native and newer Canadians in our city. Cultures are not made of museum artifacts but living breathing people evolving everyday. We’d like to celebrate today’s rapidly growing urban Native community, while providing the support and structure to welcome new urbanites and help native youth reach their full potential. We want to share and take pride in the legacy of the first Canadians. Jake Chakasim, a member of the first nations community, has designed an environmentally-friendly building based on a traditional community centre - the longhouse. The city of Toronto’s cultural department and director Rita Davies support us wholeheartedly, as does the honourable James Bartleman, lieutenant governor of Ontario, and we have found strong partners and common goals in the Aborignal Theatre Community. What we need now - funding and land. We continue to investigate various sites and opportunities.