A project in northern Manitoba is aimed at addressing the Indigenous housing crisis by building a hut that will provide clean water, toilets and food preparation areas for the Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

The project, which is a collaboration between the Universities of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Minnesota along with members of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation began designing the Muskrat Hut in December and those participating in the project are working on the hut this summer with the interior expected to be completed this week. University of Saskatchewan education professor, Alex Wilson says the hut has a sustainable design. “We’re really trying to be cognizant of the impact and footprint on the environment, so it’s got solar panels and it uses a incinerator toilet that leaves zero waste.” says Wilson.

The hut will also include a wood-burning stove and Wilson says even though the hut is intended for community and cultural gathering and not as a permanent residence, it could be used for someone to sleep in an emergency situation. The U of S education professor says they had people come from four different First Nations to come and see design of the Muskrat Hut so they could take the idea back to their home community and build something similar.

Wilson is hoping the community which is located approximately 475 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon will make good use of the hut. She adds a kitchen and bathroom at many cultural and community events would come in handy and the hut will provide such access.