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Cree Village Ecolodge: An Eco-Friendly Inn

The Cree Village Ecolodge has become a northern Canadian tourist destination for those seeking a unique look at the Cree culture as well as an environmental setting indoors and out. By Katherine McIntyre Read More

(Updated on July 24, 2024)

The Cree Village Ecolodge has become a northern Canadian tourist destination for those seeking a unique look at the Cree culture as well as an environmental setting indoors and out. By Katherine McIntyre


Cree Village Ecolodge, referred to as Canada’s most environmentally friendly inn that is accessible only by water and built at the edge of the sub Arctic, has become a northern Canadian tourist destination. Managed by the MoCreebec Council of the Cree Nation of Moose Factory Island, it offers visitors a rare example of Cree culture.

Inspiration for the project came through a steering committee of the Council spearheaded by Chief Randy Kapashesit, chief of the MoCreebec Council of the Cree Nation. The committee members recognized that to attract tourists to the island, they needed adequate accommodations. Project manager, Rick McLeod of MacLeod Farley and Associates (New Liskeard, Ontario), who specializes in developing as well as finding provincial and federal funds for northern projects, pointed the committee in the right direction. He suggested that they target their market, to the fastest growing tourism segment, the ‘ecotourist.’ With this in mind, the concept of a completely eco-friendly building reflecting the history and values of the Cree evolved.

Architect Clive Levitt of Toronto, who had worked on other northern projects, met with the committee many times to establish a basic plan. This plan would incorporate their concepts with concepts that would also work both architecturally and economically in the region. Through a consensus of opinions it was agreed that: the building would be a gathering place for the community and a unique tourist destination; it would incorporate as many green features as considered economically possible; the impact on the natural surroundings should be negligible; materials would have minimal environmental impact; low maintenance finishes, no off gassing and require low embodied energy; and finally, appliances and mechanical systems should be low maintenance.
The resulting design includes the focal point of the lodge, a soaring ‘Shabatwon’ or Great Hall, the reception area, 20 guest rooms on two floors with stair access, and a kitchen component. David Billinkoff of Billinkoff Management (Winnipeg, Manitoba) won the building contract. Construction started in early September and lasted throughout the winter.

The towering Shabatwon, overlooking the ever changing waters of the Moose River, is a 21st century version of the Cree gathering place, where they would come to share stories, and celebrate the hunt. Traditionally it consisted of two teepees linked by a lean-to, and covered in deerskin or moss. Now the cathedra-like interior is cedar, framed by giant 48-foot poles of lodge-pole pine, mounted in place by an intricate hinge system designed by Keen Engineers of Toronto.

For a building on a site where the winter temperature falls below -40 degrees, water-based radiation heated by propane, is considered a more effective means of heat than forced air. A wood burning, masonry heater, based on a European model, built from local stone complete with imbedded fossils, radiates additional heat.

Comfortable guest rooms face a corridor that extends from the reception area to a bay window with its own view of the water. The rooms facing southwest are stepped back, so each has a corner window, providing natural ventilation. A large picture window with a magnificent river view maximizes the passive solar heat in winter, and a deep overhang shades these rooms from the summer sun.

During the development process, David Anderson of Anderson Group Architects (Plymouth, Minn.) joined the team as consultant for the interior. He paddled the river with Chief Randy Kapashesit as he says, “to get a feeling for the place.” His sense of design combined with eco-friendly products and natural materials flows through the building.

The finished lodge features cedar walls or walls painted with low emission paints in soft blending colors. The sturdy furniture is natural-finished hickory trimmed with bark detail; the blinds are slatted birch. Light bulbs, in whimsical lampshades of recycled steel, are low-level florescent.

Natural products are used throughout the lodge including wool carpeting in the corridors and bedrooms. There are organic mattresses, pure wool blankets, and cotton sheets on the beds. Dispensers are supplied for the organic soaps and shampoos. According to the manager Greg Williams, the lodge employees maintain ecological principals by using biodegradable cleaning supplies tested for toxicity.

The Ecolodge opened in summer 2000. Today, visitors from around the globe come to hike, paddle, kayak, fish, snowshoe, cross-country ski and snowmobile, or to just escape from big city tension. They discover the best of the traditional Cree culture, as well as a comfortable bed and excellent meals, all wrapped up in the vast Canadian north in an ecologically friendly building and environment.

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This article has been reprinted courtesy of Environmental Design + Construction. It first appeared in the September/October issue of that publication.

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