Earthworks and building foundation work at Hada is now complete and framing is well underway for Phase One – the Nawalakw Culture Camp – with a scheduled opening targeted for spring 2021. When complete, the camp will accommodate up to 24 students and their teachers, elders, and facilitators to offer multi-day immersive language programs. Nawalakw has engaged Indigenous-owned Gala Construction of Alert Bay to build the camp. The company is owned and operated by Dave Sawyer. Clifford Dawson, Peter Coon, Matt Nestman, Mike Joliffe, Daniel Wadhams are some of the local carpenters employed by Gala Construction. Hiring our own people contributes to our local economy and this is one of our goals as an organization.
The Nawalakw team is supporting the contractors and crews in a few ways. Sherry Moon and Jacqueline Maltipi coordinate and provide crew transportation. Dale Peterson, Molina Dawson and Danielle Dawson prepare healthy meals at the floating work camp. Jessiah Macko & Keith Dawson are working on constructing an Awakwas and other auxiliary structures at the camp.
