Senakw was originally a Squamish village at the mouth of False Creek near the south end of Burrard Bridge. Before colonization, families from the upper Squamish villages traveled to the Senákw, where the lands and waters were ideal for fishing, hunting and harvesting traditional resources. Construction is set to begin this year, and Squamish says the project will be completed in less than five years. Once completed, Senakw will be the first large-scale net zero housing development in Canada and the largest indigenously financed project in Canadian history. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, federal Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Ahmed Hussen and Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu attended the groundbreaking ceremony. “Everyone should have a safe and affordable place to call home,” Trudeau said. “Today we’re building more homes for Vancouverites and working with the Squamish First Nation on their path to financial independence.” Trudeau said the federal government will provide a $1.4 billion low-interest loan through the rental construction finance initiative to build nearly 3,000 homes within the Senakw development. READ MORE: Squamish Nation housing project in Vancouver to double in size @[email protected] Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
