University of Saskatchewan
IN-1: Innovation 1

The Pisim Project

The award-winning Pisim Project is an innovative community outreach program that has engaged aboriginal youth from the far north of Saskatchewan in sustainable housing construction and has built bridges between the University and youth who otherwise might never have considered a university education.

TThe Pisim Project is an energy-efficient house-building project at Charlebois Community High School in Cumberland House. "Pisim" is the Cree word for "Sun." The house was designed and built by a team of highschool students amd was based on the same footprint as the homes of a century ago. Combining tradition and technology, the house was built with as many products of the surrounding bio-region as possible and using 21st century design techniques. The goal was to create a highly efficient, low-cost home capable of existing off-grid for up to five days. The house showcases innovative energy-efficient design features such as double stackwalls and passive/active solar heating. The students worked under the tutelage of a team of professional engineers, alternative energy & building specialists, local trades people and school personnel.

he Pisim Project establishes a new bench mark for actively involving aboriginal youth in remote northern communities in sustainable housing projects that foster important skills, build community relationships, and help to secure a greener future for all. The project was facilitated by the Office of Outreach and Transition Programs at the College of Engineering and was made possible through generous contributions in resources and time by numerous individuals, companies, and local government organizations.

A documentary on the project was made by two Saskatoon film-makers. The project also won the 2011 Environmental Excellence Awards of the Association of Engineers and Geo-Physicists of Saskatchewan (APEGS).