MTE's Involvement
Working in collaboration with architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson, MTE’s structural engineering team is proud to support the development of this meaningful and culturally significant project.
We provided the structural design for the 1,500-square-foot gathering space, as well as the accompanying slab-on-grade support building. The main structure features curved glue-laminated timber frames joined by a central steel compression ring, creating a striking and symbolic superstructure. Integrated perimeter seating surrounds a suspended wood-burning fireplace, located beneath a central skylight.
The structure’s unique form is shaped by eight architectural “petals.” Seven of these represent the Seven Grandfather Teachings, with the eighth forming the eastern-facing entrance—honouring the significance of the rising sun in many Indigenous cultures.
Adjacent to the main gathering space is a support building that includes washrooms, a utility room, and roof-mounted photovoltaic panels. These solar panels support the use of renewable energy, enhancing the sustainability of the entire facility.