Our project will result in the construction of an elevator at our Longwoods Road Resource Centre Museum. Local schools/groups/families and tourists from around the world experience our environment through a unique blend of programs combining traditional ecological knowledge and western science. This project is part of a larger site revitalization that has included the repurposing/reconstruction of existing building spaces into a kitchen and wheel chair accessible washroom to service the addition, and restoration of the existing building with new windows, siding, HVAC and roofing. Additionally, as part of earlier revitalization work, a new Indigenous Community Learning Centre, meeting space has been constructed.
With an addition of a Community meeting space, groups can collaborate on new environmental initiatives. It will provide a welcoming area for people to learn about the past and better communicate towards future endeavours. In the Lower Thames watershed, there are 4 Indigenous communities local to the Longwood Conservation Area: Oneida Nation of the Thames, Munsee-Delaware Nation, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and Delaware Nation. The proposed Indigenous Community Education Centre will be unique to Southern Ontario and provide an inclusive space for the public, staff and our Indigenous partners to gather, share and learn.
The purposed elevator will accessibly link the revitalized museum with the new constructed Community learning space.