Category: Partners

April 25, 2017

Britco Commits to Building 5 More Libraries

Britco Structures of Langley has been a prime sponsor of the Lt. Governor Steven Point’s aboriginal literacy initiative from the beginning. The company, which builds modular trailers on its property in suburban Langley, donated the first modular trailer to the Toosey Reserve near Williams Lake in 2011. Britco is now promising to get even more deeply involved in the Write to Read project.

In this video clip Britco General Manager of Leasing Christoph Neufeld explains that the response to their donation of the first trailer was so overwhelming that the company has decided to continue its involvement, but to an even greater extent. Each trailer costs about $25,000 to build, and there are also transportation costs to deliver each trailer to remote locations around the province. Nonetheless, Britco has offered to build, donate and deliver many more trailers in 2012 and 2013.

“We have committed to a total of 6 modular buildings now,” says Neufeld, and “and we may do more in the future. We are committed to be partners in the Write to Read Project, and to finding out what the First Nations needs are, and where they are located, and find out how we can help.”

The first modular building was a donation from Britco to the Toosey band of the Chilcotin Nation at Riske Creek near Williams Lake. The 40’ by 12’ trailer was towed to the reserve and installed next to the new band office, where it is acting as a library. Inside the library are several new computers, equipped with high-speed broadband connections. The library, band office and kitchen now serve as a community centre for the entire Toosey band.

April 25, 2017

Camera Buildings donates a library

Photo credit: Camera Buildings 2013

Thanks to the publicity created by a documentary about Write to Read broadcast on CBC TV recently, a Vancouver-area builder has offered to donate a library to our project. John McFarlane watched the TV program and thought perhaps his company could help. Western Camera Buildings constructs tiny buildings designed to be used as offices, storage facilities – or even as a library!

The building his company is donating is a compact, 107-square foot studio with built-in shelving that would arrive fully finished. Since it was their show model, it comes with cedar rainscreen cladding, R20 insulation, tilt-and-turn windows, and high-efficiency LED lighting. John says it was made to be easily transported without requiring highway permits, can be moved by ferry or barge, and would only require a block or pier foundation and an electrical connection on site.

There are several First Nations communities that have discussed their interest in joining the W2R project, and no doubt this wonderful donation will be suitable for one of them. The value of the donation is over $25,000 and is greatly appreciated. Those with an interest in small buildings should take a look at the Camera Buildings Facebook site and give some thought as to how such a compact structure would fit into their own plans.

Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/CameraBuildings. If you are interested in making any sort of donation, please feel free to contact us at your convenience.

April 25, 2017

New library donation explained by the builder in 2014

When John McFarlane, president of Western Camera Buildings (camera means small room in latin) saw a program about the Write to Read Project profiled on CBC TV, he realized that his company might be in a position to help. Western Camera makes tiny portable units that can be used for a variety of purposes, like an office, studio, home or a library. His show unit was sitting in storage, so he decided to donate it to our literacy initiative. The unit has a value of $25,000, which is a most generous gift indeed.

A tour of the tiny building (8 by 12 feet) shows that it is portable, easy to transport, easy to install on a pad or concrete block, and comes fully wired for easy Internet connection. Solar power can also be added at an additional cost for those remote aboriginal communities that are dependent on diesel fuel for electricity.

The very high ceilings and multiple windows give the impression of roominess and lots of light. There is space for the installation of two computers at one end of the room. Bookshelves line both walls. Children will no doubt perceive it as something of a “hobbit house,” with room enough for perhaps half a dozen kids to read at the same time. There is sufficient shelving for thousands of books. In a word, the design is perfect for Write to Read.

The total cost of a library like this, including solar power and computers and books and Internet connection, delivered and installed to any destination in British Columbia, would be $50,000. Companies, groups and individuals interested in supporting the Write to Read Project and donating to the cost of a library are encouraged to contact project coordinator Bob Blacker at bobblackerri@gmail.com.

The Write to Read Project is administered by the Government House Foundation in Victoria. All donations are eligible for a tax receipt according to Canada Revenue Agency regulations. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.bcgovhousefoundation.ca. Alternatively, you can call the Foundation office at 250-356-1829.

April 24, 2017

Pathways to Technology set to bring Internet access to all BC First Nations

The Write to Read Project hopes to partner with Pathways to Technology to expand the scope of both projects. The installation of the new Write to Read Library in Nooaitch, near Merritt, will include teleconferencing capabilty, thanks to TELUS joining the Write to Read Project as a participating partner. Pathways to Technology (http://www.pathwaystotechnology.ca/home) will be working with TELUS on the new Nooaitch library, as well as providing high speed internet to many other First Nations acorss BC.

Reliable high-speed Internet access for all First Nations in BC is the goal of Pathways to Technology, recognized as a high priority by several organizations including the First Nations Leadership Council. In January 2006, the First Nations Technology Council (FNTC) emphasized the high priority placed on broadband connectivity. Broadband connectivity is also a key priority for the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) as part of their efforts to create a fully integrated First Nations clinical tele-health network.

In 2009 $40.8 million was granted to All Nations Trust Company by the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada. That funding, for instance, has allowed for a new fibre optic line to be built between Port Alberni and Ucluelet that will connect nine remote First Nations with high-speed Internet service that community leaders say will unlock a wealth of business, social and nation building opportunities. The nine First Nations communities – Opitsaht, Macoah, Uchucklesaht, Ahousaht, Esowista, Huu-ay-aht, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet), Hesquiat, and Ty-Histanis – currently have no Internet access or only limited service. It is anticipated that the infrastructure build will be complete by early 2016, when work will then begin to connect First Nations communities to the broadband service.

While the majority of Pathways projects have focused on connecting one or two First Nations communities at a time, the program is also working with partners to enhance services across entire regions. An example of this cooperation is the Coastal Radio Upgrade, which began in March of 2013 in collaboration with TELUS and Alcatel-Lucent (ALU). The team set off to complete an overhaul of the existing telecommunications network on the central and north coast of the province, upgrading the Internet capabilities in the communities of Heiltsuk (Bella Bella), Klemtu/Kitasoo, Gitga’at (Hartley Bay) and Gitxaala (Kitkatla).

Write to Read has received queries about the installation of a library from many First Nations communities across BC. With Pathways to Technology bringing in high speed broadband to many new communities, the chances of new libraries being built becomes even better. For a video clip of this project, click here. http://www.pathwaystotechnology.ca/project-video.