The Seabird Island First Nation Sustainable Community Demonstration Project is an innovative approach to the planning, design, construction and management of residential community developments. A key objective is to provide an information transfer opportunity to assist First Nations and other communities through-out Canada to solve housing challenges in a sustainable, environmentally sensitive, healthy, energy-efficient and affordable way.

The project integrates community planning, architecture and environmental design. The overall planning and building design approach is complementary with First Nation’s teachings about environmental stewardship - "Building a Sustainable Future" . As the elders remind us, "We did not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we are borrowing it from our children".  
View Summary (PDF): "Integration + Innovation - Seabird Island".
In A Sacred Way We Build (Video Clip) Order Documentary Movie
View Climate Exchange News (PDF) "Leadership By First Nations".
View INAC Spring Newsletter (PDF) "On The Go".
View Tour Booklet (PDF) "Building A Sustainable Future".
View ALL Resource Materials for Download.

Sustainable Environmental Design Features:
•   Efficient Land Use
•   Variety of Housing Types
•   Balanced Environmental Carrying Capacity
•   Integrated Design Process
•   Community and Industry Participation
•   Solar Orientation
•   Space Zoning  (south facing living areas)
•   Low Tech Systems, Low Maintenance
•   Cost Effective, Affordable
•   Solariums (for heat and year round growing)
•   Passive Solar: Convective Air Flow Systems
•   Thermal Living Air Floor™
•   Thermal Living Roof™
•   Thermal Transfer Water Storage System
•   Hydronic In-slab Radiant Heating/Fan Coil (upper floors)
•   Earth Tubes™ to Precondition Intake Air (heating and cooling)
•   Wind Generators for Supplemental Power
•   Higher Insulation (walls and attic)
•   Rain Screen Construction
•   Wide Overhangs
•   Modular Dimensioning for Construction
•   Recycled Materials (logs, strapping. sills, insulation)
•   Built-in Recycling Bins
•   Edible Landscape, Indigenous Planting
•   Spiritual Healing Garden (PDF poster)
•   Shared Community Facilities, Recycling Depot
•   Indigenous Materials (logs, gravel, wood, river rock)
•   Non-toxic & Resource Efficient Products
•   Engineered Wood Products, Engineered Wood Flooring (upper)
•   Finished Concrete Flooring (lower floors)
•   High Performance Windows
•   Natural Daylighting
•   Low Energy Lighting Fixtures (compact flourescents)
•   Self Construction, Local Labour and Suppliers
•   CMHC Healthy Housing™ & Flex Housing™ Principles
•   Universal Design (accessible main floors)
•   Local Artists and Craftsman
•   Cultural and Historic References
•   Rain Water Recovery (for water closets, irrigation)
•   Water Efficient Plumbing Fixtures
•   Low Energy Appliances
•   Storm Water Management
•   Construction Monitoring Program (waste & pollution control)

The Seabird Island First Nation Sustainable Community Demonstration Project has been developed in partnership with Seabird Island First Nation, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Omni Film Productions and with the participation of over 25 building industry and community groups.