Red Crow Community College

Red Crow Community College, located on the Kainai First Nation on the Blood Reserve in Southern Alberta is a pioneering post-secondary institution. Clark Builders constructed the new campus, replacing the main building that was destroyed by a fire in 2015. 

The intent was for Red Crow Community College to serve as a community hub, supporting students, staff, and the community members to gather, learn, and celebrate Blackfoot culture and traditional ways. 

The new campus is a two-storey building constructed on shallow foundations with structural steel and a laminated timber structure. The building includes classrooms, workshops, labs, academic and counseling spaces for students, administrative and program spaces for employees, a library, cafeteria, and a daycare. The space also features a museum and archive space, a cultural teaching and gathering space, and a round room spiritual centre for Elders. The inclusivity of the campus incorporates not only student access but welcomes the entire community to utilize areas such as the gymnasium for cultural dance celebrations, weddings, funerals and other events, a daycare, and the teaching kitchen. The campus incorporates traditional local artwork and spaces for art and cultural makers and provides the space for Elders to present traditional teachings, and for community members to continue their learning.

Our team self-performed the concrete with a focus on hiring local Indigenous trades and workforce. The project was designed to benefit the local band members and businesses, and created significant Indigenous employment engagement, with 55% of total labour-hours coming from Blackfoot and Kainai Nation members and other nations throughout the project.

As Canada's first tribal college, it has a distinct advantage as a leader among Indigenous education providers and the ability to continue delivering education rooted in Blackfoot culture and traditional ways.