Ginoogaming First Nation’s Student-Built Tiny Home Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Students from Geraldton Composite High School built the home’s front deck. Photo courtesy of Lisa Macleod.
MEDIA ADVISORY/RELEASE
April 7, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Marks Arrival of Student-Built Tiny Home in Ginoogaming First Nation
Ginoogaming First Nation, ON – A ribbon cutting ceremony to be held on April 7, 2026, in Ginoogaming First Nation marks the arrival of a student-built tiny home, and a milestone in Indigenous youth trades training and cross-cultural community partnership — and a real-time solution to housing needs.
The one-bedroom, one-bathroom tiny home, 14’ x 40’ in length, was constructed by students at Hammarskjold High School in Thunder Bay through the Indigenous Skilled Trades Training program. Students from Geraldton Composite High School – many of them Ginoogaming First Nation youth – helped build the home’s deck after it arrived on site last fall. A second student-built home is expected to be delivered to the community later this spring.
The Indigenous Skilled Trades Training program – a partnership between Matawa First Nations, Lakehead Public Schools and Superior-Greenstone District School Board with funding from Indigenous Services Canada – is designed to provide students with hands-on training in trades like carpentry and electrical.
“I believe projects like these are life changing,” said Ginoogaming First Nation Chief Sheri Taylor. “This is an opportunity for students from all of our schools to be part of real-time solutions to housing challenges while gaining hands-on experience in the trades. It helps our students build skills and confidence and allows teachers and school administration to learn more about our people and our children. Most importantly, it helps break down the barriers that some of our students face in school.”
“This home is a great example of what can be achieved when education, community, and partnerships come together with purpose,” said Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Director of Education with Lakehead Public Schools. We are proud of our students and staff and grateful to Matawa First Nations and to Ginoogaming First Nation and Chief Taylor for their leadership and collaboration in creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous youth.”
Media and the public are invited to attend the ceremony and speak with community leadership, students, and program partners.
What: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Student-Built Tiny Home
When: Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. (Media is asked to arrive by 11:15 a.m.)
Where: 101 Echum Drive, Ginoogaming First Nation
Confirmed attendees include:
- Chief Sheri Taylor, Ginoogaming First Nation
- Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Director of Education, Lakehead Public Schools
- Will Goodman, Director of Education, Superior-Greenstone District School Board
- Lisa MacLeod, Indigenous Skilled Trades Training Programming Lead
For more information, please contact Charnel Anderson, Communications Generalist, Matawa First Nations Management, at (807) 621-9405.
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The student-built tiny home in Ginoogaming First Nation. All photos courtesy of Lisa Macleod.