An Indigenous cultural center in the heart of Winnipeg is undergoing necessary repairs following a prolonged demonstration. The call for renovations at Circle of Life Thunderbird House arose when community members reported restricted access, citing safety concerns, as stated by the Thunderbird House board of directors.
Meagan Salwan, who has been part of the protest occupying Thunderbird House since March, expressed her discontent over the situation. She had utilized the space for drumming practice with her group over the years and raised questions about others using the building while the community was excluded.
The deteriorating state of the Thunderbird House roof has been a longstanding issue. Efforts to address the roof and other infrastructure problems were initiated by the former board in 2018. Despite some minor repairs during its conversion into a COVID-19 testing site in 2020, the roof’s condition continued to worsen, with copper lining peeling off and internal systems requiring repairs.
Salwan, after consulting with the community, organized an occupation protest to urge the board to commence repairs and restore the center’s former glory. Following an eight-month protest, it was announced that an architecture company had been selected to repair the roof, bringing relief to Salwan and the community.
The board of directors at Thunderbird House acknowledged the importance of restoring the building. Coleen Rajotte, the board chair, highlighted the volunteer-driven efforts to prioritize fixing the roof, emphasizing the ongoing restoration work beyond the roof repairs.
Funding allocated to Thunderbird House for repairs through the Indigenous community infrastructure fund in 2023 will support the roof repairs, with additional work needed for windows, doors, plumbing, and kitchen repairs. Efforts are also underway to reinstate the center’s charitable status, enabling future funding applications for staffing and management.
Arrow Commercial Exteriors, led by co-owner Peter Parkman, will commence roof repairs, aiming to start the work promptly and complete it within three months. The board hopes that resolving the building issues will lead to a resolution with the protesters, who seek the reinstatement of an elders council for spiritual guidance at Thunderbird House.