FirstU News
Welcoming Our New Friends to Canada
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On Monday, January 13, 2025, a welcome team of seven met Burundian refugees Elvis and Landry at the Ottawa airport, with welcome placards and warm clothes. From FirstU, we had Andrew, Brent, Chuck and Eva, as well as Reverend Mwibutsa of Flaming Chalice International, and our friend Christian and Prime (not shown in the photo).
Un gros merci to everyone who signed the placards, and especially to those who generously donated clothes and winter gear to help them get settled and handle Ottawa's January temperatures! Il va faire très froid ces prochains jours, alors un grand merci pour ça! FirstU is planning a Welcome Potluck Supper in Fellowship Hall on Saturday February 8th to celebrate the safe arrival of our new friends! |
A warm welcome at Ottawa airport. Left to right: Brent, Elvis, Chuck, Mwibutsa, Landry, Eva, Andrew. Not shown: Christian, Prime.
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The refugee team is seeking volunteers willing to drive Elvis and Landry to daytime appointments, especially if you are comfortable speaking French and driving to/around the south-east end of Ottawa (Findlay Creek, and Conroy/Hunt Club). You can sign up by emailing [email protected].
Odayanhaway Gets the Green LightOdayanhaway (Little Village), a new sustainable, transit-oriented infill development at 30 Cleary Avenue, has received the green light from Ottawa City Council to proceed. This ambitious project, a unique partnership between Theia Partners, the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa (FirstU) and Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS), will transform an underutilized parking lot adjacent to transit and the Ottawa River into a thriving inclusive community for 200 individuals and families.
The project aims to address Ottawa's pressing need for affordable housing while setting a new standard in sustainability and community collaboration. |
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Odayanhaway will feature two distinct buildings:
"Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services is proud to be part of this innovative partnership that brings together the charitable, private, and non-profit sectors to create long-lasting housing solutions," said Justin Marchand, CEO of OAHS. "This affordable housing project at 30 Cleary Avenue will provide much-needed homes for Indigenous families and individuals in Ottawa, helping to address the pressing shortage of affordable housing. By incorporating culture-based approaches into the design and development, we are not only building homes but also fostering a sense of community and friendship among residents and between community organizations. These partnerships enable us to work collectively towards our shared vision of a more inclusive and supportive community for all."
A model for sustainable affordable housing
In addition to being located next to a light rail transit (LRT) station, both buildings will adhere to strict environmental sustainability standards, demonstrating that affordable housing can also be sustainable housing. The project will feature innovative green technologies such as geothermal heating and cooling, and sustainable design practices, reducing the buildings' carbon footprint and contributing to Canada's environmental goals.
"As Unitarians, our principles call us to work for social justice including addressing poverty through our commitment to building affordable and deeply affordable housing," declared FirstU Board President, Chuck Shields, "Our principles also remind us to respect the interdependence of the natural world around us, so we are also excited that we can provide ecologically sustainable housing within walking distance to public transit, with minimal impact on our much-loved gardens. As a faith community that takes Indigenous reconciliation very seriously, we are eager to donate land to OAHS so they can provide affordable homes and welcome Indigenous people to our campus."
Diverse partnerships as a solution to the housing shortage
This project is a model of how diverse partnerships, combining resources and expertise from private developers, non-profit organizations, and community groups like FirstU, can pave the way for innovative housing solutions that go beyond simply providing affordable units; they can build community and foster inclusivity, while being sustainable.
"This project reflects an innovative collaboration between private, non-profit, and charitable sectors," related Rodney Wilts of Theia Partners. "The partnership with FirstU, in particular, showcases how underused spaces in a prime transit-oriented location can be repurposed for a meaningful, community-focused project that addresses both housing shortages and sustainability goals."
With Council approval now secured, the joint venture, managed by Theia Partners, is preparing to break ground on this transformative project as early as Summer 2025. Construction is expected to be completed by 2028. Click HERE to view renderings of the future build.
- A 16-storey market affordable high rise: This building, jointly owned by FirstU and Theia Partners, will deliver 148 units, with at least 80% meeting Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) affordability criteria, as well as a commitment to include deeply affordable units;
- A 6-storey affordable non-profit building: This building will offer 66 affordable units, facilitated through a land donation from FirstU, as part of its commitment to Reconciliation. The building, Indigenous-owned and operated by OAHS, will be designed to provide culturally appropriate housing for Indigenous individuals and families.
"Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services is proud to be part of this innovative partnership that brings together the charitable, private, and non-profit sectors to create long-lasting housing solutions," said Justin Marchand, CEO of OAHS. "This affordable housing project at 30 Cleary Avenue will provide much-needed homes for Indigenous families and individuals in Ottawa, helping to address the pressing shortage of affordable housing. By incorporating culture-based approaches into the design and development, we are not only building homes but also fostering a sense of community and friendship among residents and between community organizations. These partnerships enable us to work collectively towards our shared vision of a more inclusive and supportive community for all."
A model for sustainable affordable housing
In addition to being located next to a light rail transit (LRT) station, both buildings will adhere to strict environmental sustainability standards, demonstrating that affordable housing can also be sustainable housing. The project will feature innovative green technologies such as geothermal heating and cooling, and sustainable design practices, reducing the buildings' carbon footprint and contributing to Canada's environmental goals.
"As Unitarians, our principles call us to work for social justice including addressing poverty through our commitment to building affordable and deeply affordable housing," declared FirstU Board President, Chuck Shields, "Our principles also remind us to respect the interdependence of the natural world around us, so we are also excited that we can provide ecologically sustainable housing within walking distance to public transit, with minimal impact on our much-loved gardens. As a faith community that takes Indigenous reconciliation very seriously, we are eager to donate land to OAHS so they can provide affordable homes and welcome Indigenous people to our campus."
Diverse partnerships as a solution to the housing shortage
This project is a model of how diverse partnerships, combining resources and expertise from private developers, non-profit organizations, and community groups like FirstU, can pave the way for innovative housing solutions that go beyond simply providing affordable units; they can build community and foster inclusivity, while being sustainable.
"This project reflects an innovative collaboration between private, non-profit, and charitable sectors," related Rodney Wilts of Theia Partners. "The partnership with FirstU, in particular, showcases how underused spaces in a prime transit-oriented location can be repurposed for a meaningful, community-focused project that addresses both housing shortages and sustainability goals."
With Council approval now secured, the joint venture, managed by Theia Partners, is preparing to break ground on this transformative project as early as Summer 2025. Construction is expected to be completed by 2028. Click HERE to view renderings of the future build.
Ajashki in the News
On September 30, 2024, Ajashki's head gardener, Kayoki Whiteduck, was interviewed by BC Ottawa's environment and climate change reporter Stu Mills.
Click HERE to listen!
Click HERE to listen!
$35,400 OTF grant from Ontario Government for Ajashki Program
provides new options for Indigenous youtH
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On Tuesday, September 17, local MPP Joel Harden met with the team at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa (FirstU) to hear more about the $35,400 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to establish a new Maker Space and an Indigenous Advisory Circle for the Ajashki Program at FirstU. With this funding, the project aims to provide sustainability options and future strategies for participants in the program’s Food Security and Climate Change Learning Centre.
“The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa is an incredible community partner that does critical and necessary work to make our world a better place. I’m excited to see that, with the generous support of OTF, the Congregation will be able to expand and grow their work in exciting new ways,” said Joel Harden, MPP for Ottawa Centre. |
MPP Joel Harden congratulates the Ajashki Program at First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa on receiving an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant.
Front row: Leland MacLeod, Brenda McGregor, Stephanie Babij, Maijor Mark-Hall
Back row: Joel Harden, Kayoki Whiteduck, Chuck Shields, Rev. Eric Meter, Billy Akavak
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The OTF grant funded the hiring of a part-time Makerspace Program Developer, Maijor Mark, to revamp the room with help of the Future Food Warriors. As a part of their work, the developer also designed a mural with the input from the youths, to reflect all the Indigenous cultures celebrated at Ajashki and will be organizing Indigenous led workshops for the Future Food Warriors to learn new skills, traditions and history. Thanks to their efforts, the Makerspace will be a place for youth to learn, create and grow.
The Ajashki Program was first established at FirstU in 2020 as an Indigenous-led project to provide part-time employment to marginalized Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth struggling with mental and physical wellness. Kayoki Whiteduck was first hired as Food and Climate Educator to teach youth – called Future Food Warriors or FFWs – about gardening to develop skills for future employment and build resilience against food insecurity and climate change. In 2024, there are 16 FFWs participating in the Ajashki Program through part-time employment. The employment model is largely funded by donations and grants, which is difficult to sustain. Recent program reviews have revealed that while FFWs are gaining knowledge and confidence, they also wanted to explore activities that have potential for personal income generation. This led to the idea of creating a Makerspace at FirstU, an idea that required physical space, supplies and creative talent.
The grant also enabled the creation of an Advisory Circle of four Indigenous advisors who will meet with Ajashki and FirstU leadership bi-monthly. This council will promote Indigenous perspectives and provide input and overall direction for the Ajashki program, ensuring that Ajashki youth continue to design and lead similar to an arts collective.
“The Ajashki Program is an important part of FirstU’s social justice actions on several fronts, including combatting poverty, building resilience to climate-change, and forging new paths toward Indigenous reconciliation,” stated Reverend Eric Meter, Lead Pastor of FirstU. “FirstU is proud to support the Ajashki Program with financial and in-kind resources, and congratulates them on the funding for a new Indigenous Makerspace and Indigenous Advisory Council.”
