Located in Henri-Weber Place in Trois-Rivières, on the banks of the Milette River, the Waska Witcihitowin living environment is the SIRCAAQ’s second project, in the city with the largest growth in Indigenous population in the last 15 years. Nearly 500 adult Indigenous students live here.
This site was selected mainly because of its proximity to the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) campus and the nearby wooded area. It will provide students and their families access to nature and to the public transit system. The Centre d’amitié autochtone de Trois-Rivières will also offer its services directly on site.
Construction is expected to be completed by the beginning of the fall 2023 school year.
Living in a place that brings people together
The living environment was been designed so families with young children can flourish. In addition to its 42 affordable housing units, it includes an early childhood education service and common spaces, such as a multipurpose room, a shared kitchen and collaborative work spaces for the students.
The units are assigned based on the number of people in the family. Rent will be adjusted according to the financial situation of the student and their family, as well as their eligibility for the Société d’habitation du Québec’s Rent Supplement Program.
Facilities:
- 42 units of various sizes in five buildings (studio, 3½, 4½, 5½, 6½)
- A daycare centre for 37 children
- A kindergarten for four-year-olds
- A multipurpose room
- Collaborative workspaces for students
- A living room
- A shared kitchen
- A gym
- Playgrounds and outdoor facilities for cultural activities
- New offices for the Centre d’amitié autochtone de Trois-Rivières
Services
- Reception
- Community activities
- Educational support
- Coaching on adapting to city life
- Psychosocial support
- Support and mutual aid
- Health clinic
More than just a housing project
This unprecedented concept will allow Indigenous people and their families to flourish while pursuing post-secondary education or training. This experience can sometimes be complex for Indigenous people from communities located far from major cities, so this project will improve their chances of academic success.
To ensure that the new infrastructure blends in with the urban landscape, particular attention was paid to its architectural design. A competition was held to select an architectural plan that would both reflect Indigenous cultures and integrate with the natural ecosystem.
Our partners
The design of this living environment is the result of a collaborative effort between several partners committed to supporting the social and cultural development of Indigenous students.
The project is receiving financial support from the Government of Québec as part of the Société d’habitation du Québec’s AccèsLogis Québec program, as well as from the Government of Canada through the Canada-Quebec Rapid Housing Initiative Agreement. The Ville de Trois-Rivières is participating in the development of this non-profit project by granting the SIRCAAQ a municipal tax break.
Several partners are also members of the project deployment committee: the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, the Cégep de Trois-Rivières, Collège Laflèche, the Centre de services scolaires du Chemin-du-Roy, the CPE Premiers Pas, the Centre d’amitié autochtone de Trois-Rivières, the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones, the Ministère de la Famille, the Société d’habitation du Québec and Kiuna College.