Students at Saunders Secondary School in London build doghouses to support First Nations

Three students are part of a class at Saunders Secondary School in London that is building doghouses to be donated to various First Nations across southwestern Ontario as a way to give back.  

Conner Casey, 18, Blade Henrick, 17, and Niigonii White-Eye, 17, are Grade 12 students at the school. They are from Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, and will take part in building these doghouses made out of retrofitted wood shipping crates with shingles and insulation.   

The students are leaders in the school's 4th R program, which is a mentorship program that helps Indigenous students find their voices and be active members in the community. 

The project aims to support the Aboriginal Community and Animal Advocacy Connection, a group that helps Indigenous communities access veterinary care for pet and stray animals on reserves. 

While the group's founder, Alison Bressette, has received plenty of donations from construction companies, she's still looking for shingles and insulation for the doghouses. 

"Just the fact that we have the opportunity to give reserves the resources they need, is something I've only dreamed about in the past," said Bressette.  

The program's co-ordinator, Stephen Merklinger, said this project gives students the opportunity to develop a sense of culture, identity, community, and self. Their previous project had the students building fences. 

"If they're working with others to enhance their community, it gives them a sense of belonging and identity, along with a sense of self at having done something really well and being part of the bigger picture in their community. It's a win for everyone."

For the students, the most important part of this project is bringing a community together, while also making sure animals stay warm in the winter. 

"Something you don't want to see is animals in the cold all winter, so this warms your heart while it warms up the dogs," said White-Eye. 

"Building a strong community is very important. It brings everyone together during these tough times and it gives back to the community," said Casey.

"It feels pretty good knowing the dogs will have somewhere to stay because if we're cold in the winter, then they're definitely cold," added Hendrick. 

Bressette believes students are a driving force in this work that will foster significant change in their own communities.  

"A lot of students in 4th R come from areas that receive the doghouses. I see this as their way of giving back because we've always been taught to give back to our communities as Indigenous peoples."