Our team was also pleased to collaborate with the Cree Nation Government (CNG) on a workshop titled “Homeownership & You.” The session introduced participants to the process of designing and planning a home that reflects their needs, lifestyle, and budget.
The workshop began with a “Day in the Life” mapping exercise. Participants reflected on what a typical 24-hour period might look like while living in Eeyou Istchee—considering how they spend their time, whether indoors or outdoors, how they cook and gather, whether they might work from home, and the activities that shape their daily routines. This exercise helped identify individual priorities and demonstrated how housing needs can vary between people and across generations.
Participants then translated these reflections into a home design. Using stickers representing 60 square feet of space, they began assembling rooms and spaces that suited their lifestyles. Each unit included an approximate price based on average construction costs for CNG projects in 2024 and 2025, helping participants understand how design decisions can influence the overall cost of a home.
The activity was divided into two phases: first, considering immediate housing expectations upon returning to their communities after graduation or training, and then imagining a longer-term “forever home.”
In the final stage, participants calculated the total area and estimated cost of their designs, reviewed possible eligibility within the housing subsidy program, and used a mortgage calculator to estimate potential monthly payments.
Beyond the learning experience itself, the activity also generated valuable insights into the housing priorities and aspirations of younger generations in Cree communities, while giving participants a practical introduction to the steps involved in homeownership.
Workshops like this highlight the value of conferences such as Higher Learning, Building Capacity. These events create opportunities to engage directly with communities, exchange ideas, and strengthen relationships that extend beyond the conference itself.
For us at Figurr, attending conferences is about more than visibility—it is an opportunity to listen, learn, and better understand how our work can support the communities we collaborate with.
Working with the Cree communities of Eeyou Istchee is both a privilege and an honour. The projects we develop together go beyond architecture; they reflect shared goals, collaboration, and a commitment to building spaces that support community life.