Design and Architecture

In order to ensure that the physical appearance of our new village reflected our own cultural heritage we engaged the services of a renowned aboriginal architect, Mr. Douglas Cardinal, to design the major public institutions in the new village. Mr. Cardinal designed Canada's national museum, the Museum of Civilization and the National Museum of the American Indian for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

Because of his aboriginal background we did not need to go through the process of training the outside professional to work with aboriginal people. He understood this instinctively. He did not attempt to impose his own vision on us but worked intensively to have us express the visions within us which would become the basis for the village architecture. The result has been the establishment of a village which not only can our people relate to, but is of such beauty that it challenges us to live up to the ideals which are expressed in the architecture.

The community members chose the site, on the shores of Lake Opemiska, close to all the traditional trap lines. They also sat down with architect Douglas Cardinal and explained the science underlying the traditional Cree dwelling, the astchiiugamikw. The idea for many of the community buildings in Oujé-Bougoumou was based upon the structure of the astchiiugamikw. The dwelling is constructed of a wooden frame in teepee-like fashion, and covered with a combination of moss and sand. The ceiling reaches the earth. A partially dug-out interior surrounds a stone fire pit. Sweet-smelling spruce boughs keep the floor fresh and soft underfoot. The interior is bathed in natural light from a fire hole at its apex.

Cardinal took the concept of ceilings that go from the sky to the earth to develop preliminary sketches. He and his staff then fashioned modern buildings where the roof is the dominant feature, and where light and open spaces define the interiors. This process was used to shape the headquaters office, the school, the healing center (clinic), day-care center, elder`s home, and business centre - each of which was treated as a village within the village. There are no steps to the front doors. Every room and office has a big window. There are open beams and skylights in all the homes, just like in the houses of their ancestors. The doors of the homes face east, where the sun rises, as the elders demanded. Community youths suggested taller two-story buildings integrating traditional and contemporary structures. The results demonstrate a successful community-driven process, as well as the gifts of Douglas Cardinal.

Our Buildings

If the people of Oujé-Bougoumou feel empowered by their new home, it is because they played an intimate part in its inception, creation, and construction, and because the village is a living reflection of their culture and lifestyle. Canadian Geographic (July/August 1994) labelled the new community "an achievement never before seen in Canada - a native settlement with architectural coherence and integrity".

Our community is a tangible expression of our pride in our culture, and our pride in the Cree Nation. This is a place that makes us feel truly at home. The beauty of our community inspires us, it affirms our own culture and encourages us in our endeavour to improve the conditions of our communities and to struggle for the interests of the Cree Nation as a whole.

Building Locations

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