Dene Tha’ First Nation Women’s and Children’s Shelter, New Construction, Bushe River (near High Level), Alberta
Community / Cultural | 815 m² | Completed 2025 (Landscaping Spring 2026)
Located in Bushe River adjacent to the Four Chiefs Complex, this women’s and children’s shelter was developed in close collaboration with the Dene Tha’ First Nation to provide a safe and supportive environment for community members.
The building is organized around a protected central courtyard, creating a secure, inward-focused plan that balances privacy with access to daylight and views. The circular form reinforces a sense of enclosure and collective space while allowing clear orientation throughout the facility.
The 815 m² program includes ten private residential rooms with ensuite washrooms, along with shared living areas, kitchen and dining space, childcare room, counselling and administrative offices, laundry, and a multi-purpose gathering area. The enclosed courtyard provides a secure outdoor space for children and community use, with capacity for a future second residential wing.
Material selections emphasize durability and warmth appropriate to the northern Alberta climate. Cultural identity is integrated through bilingual (Dene and English) wayfinding and carved wood elements incorporated into the interior environment.
The project was funded by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).