Plans to restore Thunderbird House in the works

A neglected building in downtown Winnipeg will soon get a makeover and revamp. CTV’s Harrison Shin has more.

An iconic Main Street building in downtown Winnipeg is getting a major revamp after a contract was awarded for much-needed repairs.

The Circle of Life Thunderbird House was built in 2000, created as a gathering space for Indigenous ceremonies, teachings and healing. Architect Douglas Cardinal designed the space with open timber beams and a real copper roof.

However, over the past quarter century the building had fallen into disrepair.

“It deteriorated due to people stealing the copper from the roof during the pandemic, so that’s the reason why the building has fallen into disrepair,” Thunderbird House Board Chair Coleen Rajotte told CTV News.

Rajotte said a contract was awarded to Arrow, a company in Grande Pointe, to start repairs on the roof shortly. She said $2.7 million in funding from the federal government will be used to replace all the windows and doors, along with the roof.

“And the plumbing needs to be fixed. We’re going to upgrade the kitchen – it’s a big project,” she said.

This comes after Thunderbird House was taken over by community advocates in May. The group wanted to restore the building to its original purpose of cultural healing, gathering and unity.

“We’ve heard from members of the community that - you know - we didn’t think were aware of what was going on,” said Ben Gavel, a member of the First Nations Indigenous Warriors group. “They’ve reached out and expressed their absolute joy that work is finally getting done.”

Michael Redhead Champagne, a community organizer, said he hopes for unity going forward.

“I think the next step for the Thunderbird House is for both of the groups that have been active at the Thunderbird House – both at the board and at the occupy level – both have opportunities to have their voices heard and their concerns raised,” Redhead Champagne said.

As for the repairs, Arrow Director Peter Parkman said his company plans to work around the clock through the upcoming winter.

“We’re all Winnipeggers here, we work through the winter, our guys work through the winter. We’ve already thought of delays … March is looking to be the end of the project there,” Parkman said.