Don Hester, FCSLA, MCIP, RPP

SOUL - STORY SESSION,

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Don Hester, FCSLA, RPP, MCIPSenior Planner and Landscape Architect

41 years with AECOM, Winnipeg2 with Lombard North Group, WinnipegLandscape Research Group, University of Manitoba

Master of Landscape Architecture 1980,Bachelor of Environmental Studies 1973, and Certificate in Resource Analysis and Land Use Planning 1975, University of Manitoba

Work with over 35 First Nation Communities in Manitoba, as well as First Nation Communities in Northwestern Ontario, Alberta and BC.

1974 – Molson Lake, Manitoba ROLE: Student, ground-truthing, terrain modeling.

1920’s: log homes on a small island facing southeast toward Molson Lake, including a log outhouse.

1974: Norway House Band Fishing Lodge

1974 – Molson Lake, Manitoba Indigenous people in Northern Manitoba

once had a healthy, self-sustaining life-style with their own language and culture, and trade connections; then they were moved into Reserves:

Poor land, poor housing; socia

No jobs, and restrictions on movement and cultural practices.

Some Bands in the South owned productive farmland before they were moved to small, unsustainable Reserves.

1975 & 1978 - Northern Flood Agreement (NFA)ROLE: Research Assistant – Landscape Research Group (1975) Documented destruction of pristine Rat River linking Southern

Indian Lake (3 m rise) to the Burntwood-Nelson.

ROLE: Community Consultation Lead working with Water Treatment Specialists (AECOM) Article 6.1 of the NFA (1977) – Potable Water Supply

Five Reserves - Norway House, Nelson House, Split Lake, Cross Lake, York Landing: water supply pail in lake, limited standpipes.

Heavy sediment loads from clear cutting, water from the northern Prairies.

Solutions: basic water treatment processes, Water Truck delivery, Sewage Truck – pump-out tanks.

1975 & 1978 - Northern Flood Agreement (NFA) In addition to Reserves and Residential Schools, First

Nations people had to deal with impacts on their physical well-being from large energy and mining projects with significant environmental effects.

Difficult choices related to water and wastewater servicing in the North.

Even now some Communities don’t have adequate electric power service. Fuel spills from tank farms and diesel generators are an ongoing concern.

LEGEND:Northern Flood Communities (5)School Studies (22)Greenhouse Study (4)Planning Studies (32)Subdivisions (2)Environmental (3)Flood Mitigation Studies (1)Nursing Station Project (1)Recreation Centre Proposal (1)Rice River Road Consultation (3)

LEGEND:School Studies Nursing Station Project Planning and Terrain Analysis Studies Environmental Studies Rice River Road Community Consultation

Shoal Lake No. 39

Terrain Analysis Studies 1980’sROLE: Terrain Analysis and Recreation Planning.

Aerial Photo Interpretation and Resource Analysis and Land Planning courses

1984 Land Use Capability Analysis, an introduction to terrain analysis and airphoto interpretation (INAC)

As well as educational seminars for First Nations

Land Use Capability Analysis

Terrain Analysis Studies 1980’sImportance of land-based planning: most Reserves have a significant proportion on unusable land - rock and muskeg, steeply sloping or poorly drained.

Previously aerial photo interpretation, mapping; Now GIS provides most base information.

NTS map >

1986 – 2002 Community Capital Planning Studies ROLE: Project Coordinator and Planner

Population projections, inventories of Community buildings/ houses; housing needs projection; land requirements;

Stakeholder & Community Consultation;

Terrain Analysis;

Alternative physical layout plans; Community Development Plan - roads and services, and facilities.

Coordinated municipal engineering infrastructure.

Prepared 5/20-year cost estimates – short, medium, long-term priorities.

1986 – Berens River Community Plan and 5-Year Capital Plan Community consultation - involve a range of

individuals, in confidence.

Different agendas, e.g. men’s vs women’s goals -telephones vs running water.

Linked to Parallel Roads Study.

Need: more compact development forms to address underground servicing considerations and related ISC requirements - maximum 30 m lot widths/ 7.5 du/ha density.

Fire separation distances - development guidelines.

1996 – Marcel Colomb Community Plan and 5-Year Capital Plan Community consultation

Personal interviews vs Questionnaire Surveys Traditional Ecological Knowledge – Elder interviews

Lynn Lake - tailings concerns. Sustainability of truck delivery, with cisterns/ pump-out

tanks - higher Life Cycle Costs Versus piped water and wastewater.

Need to ground-truth, do geotechnical testing – provide rock allowances in cost estimates.

Local involvement - mentored Band Coordinator. Develop local skills in a wide range of areas - capacity

building important to long-term Community health

North Bamaji Lake

Old Community

New Community Location

2002 – New Slate Falls Nation Community Capital Planning Study Terrain analysis – included lake soundings. Cluster development:

Preferred option for family groupings; Not suitable for underground servicing; Difficult for householders to manage semi-independent

servicing systems; O & M considerations in remote Communities - lack of

training, spare parts.

Soon after, Slate Falls Nation wanted centralized piped water and wastewater servicing.

Significant costs to servicing dispersed development form. Low pressure sewer still needs grinder pumps.

1998–2018 - Community Planning for Sewer & Water Feasibility StudiesROLE: Project Coordinator and/or Senior Planner

Population and housing projections - land requirements;

GIS terrain analysis, field studies; community infrastructure analyses;

Stakeholder and Community consultations, Questionnaire Surveys;

Planning options; Community Development Plans with Development Standards;

Infrastructure - identified water and wastewater treatment and conveyance systems, and road design issues and options;

Cost estimating and Life Cycle Cost Analyses.

25+ includes Shoal Lake No. 40, Fairford, Pukatawagan, Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi.

1998 – 2018 - Sewer and Water Feasibility Studies (Community Planning) Climatic and terrain considerations - deep pipe

burial, rock blasting, heat tracing, recirculating water system.

Community Planning - interdisciplinary approach.

Followed by subdivision plans, fieldwork, detailed design and construction of Water Treatment Plants, lagoons, landfills and underground servicing systems.

Water and Wastewater Operators Training Session

Little Grand Rapids Sewer and Water Feasibility Study

BunibonibeeCree Nation Sewer and Water Feasibility Studies

Infill and Densification;Flexible Plan;Two Updates, and Community InfrastructureNeeds Assessment

IR 24

Nisichawayasik Cree Nation Sewer and Water Feasibility Study

New Subdivision

PauingassiFirst NationCommmunityDevelopment Plan

Rock, peat bog and landfill constraints.600 people – growth projections?

Remote Communities - Access Eg. Little Grand Rapids, Pauinagassi, Wasagamack:

Provincial Airports on islands, or in adjacent communities Boats in Summer, skidoos or trucks over the ice in Winter Helicopters in the Spring and Fall Short Winter Road season is getting shorter Need All-weather Road connections at least to airports.

Pauingassi: float plane for personal transport and supplies, or helicopter, 40 Km boat/skidoo ride.

Issues with emergency medical/evacuations; repairs and servicing. Logistics important part

of any construction projects – Winter Roadseason is the time for getting materials into the communities.

Rice River Road Functional Design Study (East Side Road)

ROLE: Stakeholder and Community Consultation Lead

Four communities, including Pine Falls, three First Nations (Hollow Water, Bloodvein, Berens River);

KPI – various levels of government/agencies, industry, recreation and environmental groups;

Three rounds of Community Meetings/

Open Houses;

Questionnaire Surveys, and

Media appearances.

Rice River Road Functional Design Study (East Side Road) Pros and cons: all-weather road needed to provide First

Nation Communities with better access to groceries, building supplies, medical appointments, but concerns about traditional hunting, and drugs and alcohol.

Dangerous crossings of Lake Winnipeg in the spring and fall; Winter Road hazards and concerns.

Environmentalists wanted to protect the “pristine wilderness”, not understanding that people lives are at stake.

Nelson House School 1983

Architecture, Gaboury Architects Inc.; Planning, Land. Arch., Civil Engineering, AECOM

2002-2018 School Feasibility Studies/Facilities Studies - EvolutionROLE: Study Manager, Planner and Landscape Architect

Approximately 20 Communities, some more than once.

Landscape architectural and engineering site analysis (Nelson House, 1983)

First Nation School Feasibility Studies (Pauingassi, 2002)

Lake Winnipeg Bundle School Pre-design Studies (4 Communities, 2016).

Unknown construction horizons (some studies redone 3 times) - more immediate delivery schedules - with 3 years.

More stakeholder (Chief & Council, teachers) and Community consultation to determine local needs.

2002-2018 School Feasibility Studies/Facilities Studies - Team

INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM: FN Student Enrolment Specialist – Student Enrolment Projections; Education

Planner - Formal Plan of School Space based on ISC School Space Accommodation Standards.

Architects, SME Engineers, LAs with experience in condition and capacity assessments, and school and schoolyard design.

Planner - options identification, evaluation of existing/Alternative Sites. Civil Engineers – roads and servicing, cost estimates Legal plans, terrain analysis and site servicing reviews. Cost estimating and Life Cycle Cost analysis. Implementation schedules and cash flows.

- Consideration of Alternative Delivery approaches - CM/D-B- Interim Critical Health, Safety and Environment fixes for some existing schools.

Pauingassi FN School 2003-2005

Accuracy of School Enrolment Projections?

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation 2006-2008

High School Option – Purchase School from Brandon School Division

First Nation Schools – Issues (1) Local First Nation Schools:

Children sent to larger centres such as Winnipeg after Grade 9vs quality of High School education in small, remote places;

Attracting and retaining qualified teachers – isolation, teacherages, salaries;

High numbers of Special Needs Students requiring special facilities and teachers; BCN outdoor education program with cabin;

Need for Indigenous language and culture education – Hollow Water FN (Frontier School Division);

Need for practical training: Industrial Arts/ Home Economics, and Outdoor Education;

First Nation Schools – Issues (2) Schools at the centre of Communities - Community use facilities

include: Gym, Library (Internet), Cafeteria/Kitchen, other;

Outdoor sports and playground facilities: school yard is the Community park;

O&M: need for trained maintenance staff and simple systems –Pauingassi FN;

Delivery: needs to consider shrinking Winter Road Seasons in scheduling and costing; materials, supplies, School Buses;

Maintenance of School Buses, roads, and buildings, and

Other supporting infrastructure such as potable water and fire flows; electricity and Internet services.

First Nation School Feasibility Studies – BCN Schools

Involve Special Needs Students in practical endeavours as a way to learn math, writing, life skills.Repair of Elementary School/Yard.

LGRFN - Existing School • K4 to Grade 9, vs to Grade 12;• Small K4/K5 Room;• Classrooms typically

smaller than current SSASGross Floor Area Allowance;

• Gym and Gym Support,Library/Resource Room allsmaller than current SSASAllowances;

• No Cafeteria;• No Technology Rooms -

Home Economics andIndustrial Arts;

• Inefficient layout, and• Significant health and safety

issues!

Multiple Building Additions

LGRFN - Existing School and Site

• Existing site too small for a HighSchool;

• Contaminationlikely impacts school building;

• Health and safety concerns.

Interim Health and Safety Repairs

Doors chained; no PA system, smoke alarm or sprinklers;No potable water.

Broken roof truss;Falling light cages;

Mould concerns;

Template schools: central cores for Community use; long-term expansion potential - pairedmodular classrooms.

School Building and Schematic Site Design Options with Teacherages

Fewer outdoor facilities allocated for each school – principal recreation areas

First Nation Schools – ISC Approach School design and construction budgets are formulaic,

based on fixed, national criteria - not necessarily consistent with local terrain and conditions, despite local modifiers;

10% allocated to site works - does not fit requirements of remote, Canadian Shield projects: rock blasting, drainage;

Moving toward a standard design template providing flexibility – intent to add modular classrooms, but will there be money available later to add space?

School funding does not include teacherages or off-site infrastructure.

Requirement for First Nation economic development, capacity building and training – adds substantial cost.

Local economic conditions impact availability of contractors and pricing, and

Disparity in First Nation Education Education budgets per student are 30% less than in Manitoba’s

Provincial system: some First Nations now forming School Divisions;

ISC School Space Allocation Standards provide less educational space than provided in Provincial Schools – may add more from already overstretched Band funds;

Teachers’ salaries are lower, even though they pay more to live in and travel to remote locations;

Teachers can’t get school supplies, some buy their own; often no space to store supplies;

Schools are more frequently shut down due to power failures, lack of School Buses, road conditions, unsafe conditions, flooding - even in the South, Wuskwi Sipihk FN;

Health and safety concerns: locked fire doors, lack of fire suppression infrastructure, crumbling buildings and play areas, mould, contamination, wild animals, dogs, mix of age groups.

TRC – 94 Calls to Action - Education Child Welfare – Jordan’s Principle - Special Needs

Students. Ensures First Nations children can access all public services. The

government of first contact pays - resolves jurisdictional/payment disputes later.

Education – Eliminate Gaps Eliminate discrepancy in federal funding for First Nations children

being educated on-Reserve: close educational achievement gaps in a generation.

Culturally appropriate curricula and early childhood education for Aboriginal families; teaching of Aboriginal languages as credit courses.

Parental and community responsibility, and participation in education.

Business - Meaningful Consultation; Equitable Access to Jobs and Training Free prior and informed consent before proceeding with economic

development projects.

TRC – Calls to Action – Education ISC now providing major initiatives for new First

Nation Schools to meet a huge backlog. Federal budget recognizes the need.

Manitoba Schools Initiative: five schools on four Reserves – BCN, MSCN, WFN, GLFN;

Lake Winnipeg Bundle Schools: three new schools, one renovation/upgrade - BFN, LGRFN, PFN, PRFN;

NW Ontario School Bundle: two new schools.

Budgets for action, but so much more is needed!

Community Infrastructure Needs Assessments 2017-2018

Gap Analyses – everything required to support education beyond the school site, including:

Teacherages – formula, existing older housing;

Community buildings – Band Office, Fire Hall, Arena;

Roads, bridges, drainage, water and wastewater servicing;

School buses; water trucks, sewage trucks;

Fire fighting, construction equipment;

Includes Community economic development and capacity building.

Long-term O&M budgets.

Poplar River Teacherages

Gap Analysis

WaterSystem

Modeling

Teacherages

CommunityBuildings

First Nation Capacity Building

Project Accommodation

Assistance

Equipment Purchase/ “Work to Own”

Local Materials –Rock Crushing

Training

Project Accommodation

Assistance

School and Gap Analysis – Costs LWB - School costs in the range of $13 to $35 million

Includes building, site work, fit-up, PM and design consultants, survey and testing, LEED, contingencies – only within the school site.

Gap Analysis – Poplar River FN immediate requirements add $27 million, plus $91 million over the next 25-years for off-site requirements: Teacherages alone add $6 or $7 million in the first 3 years;

Plus ongoing O&M costs of $8 million + for 25 years.

Community population now 1,229; expected to grow to 2,033 by 2042.

Schools are key to Social, Economic, Cultural, Environmental and Governance Sustainability of First Nation Communities.