Earthship build brings out community support

SIX NATIONS – Excitement for Six Nation’s first “earthship” build continues to grow. Local couple, Skyler and Kahsenniyo Williams, along with their two daughters, have been diligently working all summer to build their own family home using a sustainable home building method. Although Skyler has worked in construction his whole life, this has truly been a family effort, with every member of the family taking part. “The idea of building these houses isn’t just that they’re sustainable… the idea is that they’re super inexpensive and super easy to build,” said Skyler.

Kahsenniyo has been pleasantly surprised at the outpouring of support from people at Six Nations and beyond, “One of the cool things that’s been happening since we started doing the workshops is that there’s a real community that’s starting to happen. People are coming from here, Caledonia, Brantford, Toronto, Guelph, we had some people from BC and the States stop by. There’s a real interest from people who want to build these types of houses,” said Kahsenniyo. The family has been hosting regular workshops for those who are interested in the earthship method, they’ve even had visitors who are building their own earthship elsewhere.

The earthship has also brought other surprises, “One of the really interesting things too, has been the amount of women [coming by], it has been a majority of women who have been calling, emailing, texting, coming out to the workshops.” Construction is generally seen as a man’s domain, and this experience is helping breakdown those myths.

The Williams family hopes their experience will serve as an inspiration, “If we can do it, anyone can do it.” Said Skyler. He brought up the experience of the people of Attawapiskat, who received attention throughout Canada as result of the housing crisis they are facing. Skyler stated that the lack of housing could be partially addressed through projects like the one the Williams family has embarked on.

There is still a lot of work left but the Williams family hopes to be ready to move in before winter. They will continue to host workshops for those interested in the method or those wanting to lend a hand. The workshops will be held at 2687 Fifth Line, for more information contact Kahsenniyo at 519-802-1304.

The dates are as follows: Sept 5th 5-8pm, Sept 6th 9-5, Sept 7th 9-5, Sept 12th 5-8pm, Sept 13th 9-5, Sept 14th 9-5, Sept 19th 5-8pm, Sept 20th 9-5, Sept 21st 9-5, Sept 26th 5-8pm, Sept 27th 9-5, Sept 28th 9-5.