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In late August, the Kw’umut Lelum Youth Advisory Council and the Construction Foundation of BC came together to present an Indigenous Skills workshop to a group of young adults on central Vancouver Island. The workshop, led by Haida artists, Kristy and James Crawford, saw the youth creating their own Wood Block Relief Prints. Wood Block Relief…

Early in the summer, communities from several First Nations gathered for a Canoe Paddle Making workshop that took place at Thunderbird Hall in Campbell River.  Over two weeks participants from two groups were offered 5 days to create a canoe paddle of their own. Dean Heron and Elder George Hunt Jr. were innovative in their…

The Skills Ready and All Roads initiatives came together this Fall to facilitate a unique workshop in the Kamloops area, with youth aged 13-18 creating cedar planter boxes and copper bracelets.  The two-day workshop connected participants with the All Roads initiative and encouraged them to use their hands combining traditional materials with present-day tools and…

The Construction Foundation of BC’s ‘All Roads’ initiative recently completed one of their most ambitious workshops to date! The team worked together alongside Kikekyelc’s Indigenous Youth Services Life Skills Program, members of the Thomas Rivers University’s (TRU) Trades & Technology department and Master Carver, Frank Marchand to coordinate a three-week, six-session Paddle Carving workshop with…

The Construction Foundation of BC wrapped up a successful, four-day Indigenous Skills workshop in the community of Witset earlier this Spring. Participants in the community received virtual instruction from First Nations artist and Indigenous Catalyst Dean Heron once-per-week over the course of four weeks, en route to carving and completing their very own traditional Canoe…

In-person Indigenous Skills workshops returned to Victoria for the first time in a long time, this past June, marking a welcome return to traditional instruction and an opportunity to introduce small groups of enthusiastic youth to contemporary trades and traditional knowledge. In consideration of the continued pandemic, both the Esquimalt First Nation and the Indigenous…

As part of this year’s Skills Canada Indigenous Skills Showcase, artist and the Construction Foundation of BC’s Catalyst, Indigenous Communities, Dean Heron spoke with renowned chef Andrew George about his life and career in the culinary industry. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL George was born in Smithers, British Columbia, raised in Telkwa and attended Vancouver…

At nearly 98 years old, machinist Don Roberts recently made a significant contribution to aspiring artists through the Construction Foundation, donating hundreds of carving blades he had created and accumulated over his career to schools and First Nations students throughout the province. Over his long and varied working life, Don tried on many jobs. He…

The Construction Foundation of BC is excited to share the inaugural Indigenous Skills Showcase through a series of interviews being promoted through the Skills/Competences Canada’s #CelebrateSkills digital experience today! Over the past year, the Construction Foundation has partnered with Skills/Compétences Canada, their provincial organizations and a number of partners from across the country to produce…