SHAWENIM ABINOOJII  Winnipeg, MB

Photos by Makaela Mackenzie / Winnipeg Free Press
Year: 2023
Client: Shawenim Abinoojii Inc.
Budget: $ 2.5 million

Shawenim Abinoojii ("love and nurture the child") is an Indigenous-led non-profit offering transitional housing, programming, and support services. 865 Main Street, now the home of Shawenim Abinoojii, previously served as a grocery store, gallery space, a restaurant, and most recently, it housed Neechi Commons. (BridgmanCollaborative was also involved in the 2012 adaptive reuse of the building for Neechi Commons.)
 
The 2023 retrofit of the 31,000 sq. ft. building allowed Shawenim Abinoojii to consolidate - for the first time  - its five departments and 100 employees under one roof.  As well, the building accommodates an Indigenous-led independent high school (with 25-30 students enrolled), together with a wellness program and language services. Elders also teach cultural activities.

See BridgmanCollaborative's design for Shawenim Aninoojii's Nenookaasiins [Little Hummingbird] - Housing Indigenous Youth.

Media coverage:
“It’s a relief,” said Victoria Fisher, executive director for Shawenim Abinoojii. “I think it’s a good feeling for the organization and I hear that from a number of the staff, that it feels good being here, it feels good being together.” [Excerpt, No place like home. by Joshua Frey-Sam, Winnipeg Free Press.]