Nishnawbe Aski Nation launches housing courses with Toronto Metropolitan University and Wahsa Distance Education Centre
Construction project management and tendering and procurement courses which are designed to address the specific housing and learning needs in northern First Nations communities.
Today, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), with Wahsa Distance Education Centre and Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Together Design Lab and Faculty of Community Services, announced two new housing courses freely available to NAN housing professionals and community members on the NAN Housing Strategy website.
The two courses, Introduction to Construction Project Management for Housing in NAN Communities and Introduction to Tendering and Procurement for Housing in NAN Communities, are structured as asynchronous distance learning courses with a series of video modules. The courses respond to community concerns expressed during the development of the NAN Housing Strategy about a lack of local housing capacity development and training opportunities. By equipping learners with the foundational knowledge required to lead and manage housing construction projects across NAN Territory, the course intends to reduce the reliance on external labour to ensure that housing is built by First Nations, for First Nations.
Both courses combine insights from housing experts with case studies relevant to NAN communities, such as the impact of winter road access and climate change on scheduling and availability of materials. These case studies provide grounded examples to help learners better understand the construction process, tendering and procurement process, and begin to apply skills learned such as risk assessment, monitoring and evaluating contracts to their own practice and communities.
The launch of the asynchronous courses comes after two very successful eight-week pilot courses completed between February and June 2025, drawing on the experience of the Wahsa Distance Education Centre as a reliable provider of distance education in the North. For one hour each Thursday, housing managers, landscape contractors, Chiefs, community members, and economic development staff from 15 different First Nations came together virtually to learn together and share their experiences with housing construction in NAN Territory. Communities represented in both cohorts included Mattagami First Nation, Webequie First Nation, Weenusk First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation, Lac Seul First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Kashechewan First Nation, Aroland First Nation, Matachewan First Nation, Fort Severn First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation, Missanabie Cree First Nation, Nibinamik First Nation, Neskantaga First Nation and Bearskin Lake First Nation.
Introduction to Construction Project Management for Housing in NAN Communities and Introduction to Tendering and Procurement for Housing in NAN Communities are part of an ongoing effort to increase housing capacity development and training opportunities across NAN through the NAN Housing Strategy. The project received funding from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Supply Challenge: Getting Started Round and is now available as a series of asynchronous, open-access online modules.
For more information, visit the NAN Housing Strategy website at http://nanhs.ca/.
Quotes
“We are very proud that members form NAN First Nations have completed the Introduction to Project Management and Tendering and Procurement course. These courses directly support the NAN Housing Strategy and its theme of developing local capacity and professional development. Miigwetch to our partners at WAHSA Distance Education Centre, Together Design Lab and the Faculty of Community Services at Toronto Metropolitan University for their hard work and dedication to make these courses such a success. We look forward to the next chapter of the asynchronous Project Management and Tendering and Procurement courses which will be available for all NAN community members.” – Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
“The development of these courses have been years in the making. We have heard repeatedly from NAN community members who want to learn more about housing construction and project management to better serve their communities. We are excited to be able to support their learning through the launch of these courses.” – Dr. Shelagh McCartney, Director of Together Design Lab.
“This program demonstrates the power of positive partnerships between organizations to help support the needs of the North. WAHSA is honoured to be a part of this important work. Congratulations to all of the students who participated in these courses!” – Darryl Tinny, Principal, WAHSA Distance Education Centre
About Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) represents 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty No. 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty No. 5 – an area covering two-thirds of the province of Ontario in Canada. For more information, visit https://www.nan.ca/
About Together Design Lab
Together Design Lab is an equity-focused, community-based housing lab that engages in collaborative work with partners across Canada and beyond. Under the leadership of Dr. Shelagh McCartney at Toronto Metropolitan University, their work is grounded in listening, learning, and sharing the stories of the communities they work with, translating lived experience into actionable pathways toward housing equity and improved well-being. For more information, visit https://www.togetherdesignlab.com/
About WAHSA Distance Education Centre
Wahsa Distance Education Centre is a private First Nations High School dedicated to providing quality secondary education services to remote Ojibway, Cree, and Oji-Cree communities across Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Wahsa is a program of the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council with headquarters in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, and serves a geographical area of 200,000 square kilometers, including many communities restricted by fly-in access only and offers students a convenient way to complete their high school studies, and obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) from the comfort of home. For more information, visit https://www.nnec.on.ca/wahsa-distance-education-centre
About Toronto Metropolitan University
A world-class research institution and Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education, TMU offers more than 60 undergraduate programs, over 65 graduate programs, and 80 continuing education certificate programs. The university boasts ten faculties, including the Lincoln Alexander School of Law and the new TMU School of Medicine, which is launching in September 2025. Established in 1948, TMU is home to nearly 48,000 students, including 2,900 Master’s and PhD students, 4,000 faculty and staff, and over 245,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit torontomu.ca
Media Inquiries:
Michael Heintzman
Director of Communications
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
807-621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca
Michelle LePage
PR and Communications Specialist
Toronto Metropolitan University
michelle.lepage@torontomu.ca
Darryl Tinney
Principal
WAHSA Distance Education Centre
807-737-1488
darryl.tinney@nnec.on.ca
For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca