The Under One Sky Friendship Centre in Fredericton transforms from a modest building into a 21,000 square foot community longhouse. Executive director Patsy McKinney watched her dream come to life as the facility prepares for its grand opening on September 29.

According to CBC News, the $18.6 million Awitgati project serves the nearby Sitansisk community and stands as New Brunswick’s first net zero carbon community building.

“When you walk through the door, you know you’re standing in an Indigenous space,” McKinney said. “That gets me really excited because that’s really what we wanted.”

A Space for Health and Education

The new centre moves far beyond its original roots as a childcare facility. You will find an industrial sized kitchen for cooking classes, a workshop, and dedicated education spaces. The building also houses a health centre staffed by two nurses and a nurse practitioner.

One of the most anticipated features is the dedicated birthing centre. This space offers a private room with a bathtub, a bed, and an outdoor garden area. McKinney plans to bring Indigenous doulas and midwives on board to support people giving birth outside a traditional hospital setting.

“To bring our young women in a safe place where they can do this without having to be in a hospital, that is just so emotional for me,” McKinney said.

The facility also expands its educational reach. A new classroom allows university students to learn on site through a partnership with the UNB School of Leadership Studies.

Connecting Culture and Architecture

The building design reflects deep cultural roots. The entire property takes the shape of a turtle shell. Passageways connect the rooms like a flowing river. Every space features windows facing a large inner courtyard to ensure visitors maintain a connection to the land.

Builders used natural materials like large pine logs and incorporated rounded edges throughout the rooms. McKinney specifically wanted to avoid a cold or institutional feel.

The centre offers traditional hunting lessons where you learn to gather and process meals. Families take animal hides from the kitchen directly to the workshop to craft them into new items.

“We can go the full circle, so that we use the entire part of that animal and honor that life,” McKinney said.

The friendship centre welcomes everyone but focuses on serving Indigenous people and families. McKinney believes the space makes a massive difference for the community.

“I want to walk into a space where I never have to apologize for who I am,” she said.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Awitgati project?

The Awitgati project is an $18.6 million net zero carbon community building in Fredericton. It houses the Under One Sky Friendship Centre and serves the nearby Sitansisk community.

When does the new centre open?

The grand opening for the 21,000 square foot community longhouse takes place on September 29.

What services does the centre provide?

The facility includes a birthing centre, a health clinic, an industrial kitchen, a workshop, and educational spaces. It offers programming like traditional hunting lessons and cooking classes.

Who uses the friendship centre?

The centre is open to the public but specifically targets and supports Indigenous people and families.