High-tech housing project to share site with controversial First Nation grow op
The federal government agency, Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, has recently announced funding for an experimental housing project in the Haudenosaunee community of Six Nations in southwest Ontario. The $3.7 million grant has been awarded to Horizon Legacy, a Toronto-based construction firm, for the construction of a $10 million, 30-unit housing complex on the site of a controversial marijuana grow op.
Horizon Legacy has partnered with Six Nations architect Brian Porter and his firm, Two Row Architect, to develop what they claim will be the largest multi-storey Indigenous housing development in the country. The project, named Eh ni da se, meaning “new moon” in the Cayuga language, will be constructed using cutting-edge robotics technology. The company is pioneering the use of a robotic arm, Val 2.0, which acts like a portable 3D printer to pour out a special concrete mix for building walls and structures.
Despite the innovative nature of the project, it is facing opposition from community members who are concerned about the location of the housing complex. The site is shared with Legacy Farms, a controversial marijuana plantation that has caused discord within the community. Residents have raised objections to the sprawling greenhouses, the constant truck traffic, and the disruption caused by large-scale construction projects in the area.
Legacy Farms, owned by Brian Porter’s son Aaron Porter and licensed by the Six Nations Cannabis Commission, has become a point of contention among community members. Nancy Porter, a resident and relative of the Porters, has been vocal in her opposition to the grow op, citing concerns about the environmental impact, disruption of natural drainage, and influx of migrant workers from outside the territory.
While Horizon Legacy and Brian Porter maintain that the housing project is separate from Legacy Farms and will bring much-needed innovation to construction in First Nations communities, residents like Nancy Porter are calling for transparency and accountability. They argue that community input should be sought before embarking on large-scale projects that could have lasting effects on the environment and quality of life in Six Nations.
The controversy surrounding Legacy Farms and the new housing project highlights the complexities of development in Indigenous communities, where traditional governance structures intersect with external funding and industry interests. As the project moves forward, it remains to be seen how the community and the band council will navigate these issues and ensure that the needs and concerns of residents are taken into account.
