Thikáȟ Škáŋpi​

Íŋyaŋ Bosdád Háŋ Oyáte kiŋ éwačhiŋyan thiúŋkičičaǧapedo 

1- We are committed to addressing the problems of lack of quality housing and lack of training programs/opportunities for youth in the community.

2- Thígdaȟ Škáŋpi will build a net zero energy house on Standing Rock, experimenting with previously-tested green technologies and implementing a youth apprenticeship model. Moving forward, we will continue to build houses and develop youth, potential homeowners, and community partners.  

3- Our project will present a model for what is possible to the community, and empower individuals and families to replicate that model independently.

Our project is an application of tested technologies. Some of the systems have not yet been tested in our specific geographic region and for this reason we are discovering new applications, appropriate uses and tweaks for some of the systems. The house will be the first in the community to integrate some of the technologies and building methods, and will be an innovative example in the context of North Dakota, northern South Dakota, and the Northern Plains region.

Firstly, we will recognize traditional technologies. Homesite will include a medicines integration plan to respectfully partner with the existing landscape. We are currently interviewing elders in order to integrate knowledge from early reservation-era čháŋthipi tradition- many elders grew up in these family-constructed, off-grid houses and the knowledge and lifeways underpinning them still sits with elders in the communities.

We have piloted and are familiar with capabilities of Watson Wick sewer systems, rainwater catchment, roof mounted solar water heaters, PV systems, tromb walls, and cob mass technology in our last partnered build.

- To partner to build a net zero energy home in the community of Cannon Ball, successfully integrating and refining workable, sustainable, local housing solutions that integrate community input and hands-on skills development.

- To continue to strengthen our community and outside partnerships toward the goal of offering the most effective and accessible community housing and apprenticeship program possible.

- To build on our knowledge, experience, and skills as an organization.

Our vision is to provide for 10 apprenticeships per build; in addition to paid local labor, we will recruit volunteers throughout the build, and use sweat equity from the homeowners. These community members will be developing skills throughout the process; in our experience an apprentice who partners in two planning and building cycles can supervise her own build (with partnership/advising) by year 3. We will foster their growth and development into specialized laborers, sustainable technology experts, and home builders- and let them flourish and expand. In this way we aim to empower the communities to grow according to capacity.

Partnered build Spring 2017 (see partners section for details)

Accessibility

Our project will recruit apprentices, skilled laborers and community volunteers, as well as providing full community access with multiple educational events, and a digital presence.

Affordability

- Maintain grant funding to cover our operating costs and apprentice program. We have a partnership in place with a local community organization to facilitate grant applications and reporting.

- Offer mentoring to guide future homeowners through the process of applying for a homesite and a loan to cover building materials (minimal debt to homeowner). We have a partnership in place with a local community organization to facilitate this process as well.

Currently serving one thiwahe, within the next few months we will be looking to add apprentices and local contractors and skilled laborers, and establish a digital presence to reach many more with educational modules.

12 months-

• New homeowner’s immediate thiwáhe living in the house- 7-10 people

• New homeowner’s thióšpaye affected, served, educated - 75 people

• Community members apprenticed, trained, contracted with for labor and other services- 40 people

• Community members educated through volunteer hours, community events, and presentations (including digital placement)- 1,000 people

• Digital outreach and education, targeting those off-reservation with ties to the community- 5,000 people

12 month total- 6,115

At 3 years we plan to have touched close to 100% of reservation residents through service provision, training, or education, in addition to 15,000 people off-reservation, in a combination of enrolled members and non-enrolled allies or interested parties.

Currently we’re not funded and haven’t applied for any funding. The Cannon Ball pilot house will be funded by a homeowner loan, and we will be piloting our model with it.