Skeetchestn Dodeca-Homes (SDH) empowers First Nations communities to achieve housing sovereignty through knowledge-sharing, innovation and sustainable housing solutions. Rooted in the traditional design concepts of Secwépemc people, SDH combines Indigenous knowledge with modern construction practices to create affordable, durable and culturally appropriate homes developed with the next seven generations in mind.
The company’s innovative timber-frame housing system draws inspiration from traditional structures, including pit-houses and Powwow arbors, while incorporating sustainable practices that add value to damaged or difficult-to-market trees. Through hands-on training and community-led development, SDH supports First Nations in building the skills and capacity to address housing needs and strengthen self-determination.
SDH’s model has been used to create offices, cultural spaces, a museum, a show home and multiple community facilities. With support from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Supply Challenge, SDH has expanded its impact by prototyping multiple housing designs while advancing Indigenous-led housing solutions grounded in knowledge, innovation and community.
