Building-Accomplishments

BUILDING THE TURTLE LODGE : Accomplishments

Vision To Physical Reality

Accomplishments

Planned Work In 2003 & Beyond

Turtle Symbolism

Significant accomplishments has been made to building the Turtle Lodge, and much remains to be completed.

The construction of The Turtle Lodge relied on traditional First Nations architectural and building methods, with much of the materials brought in directly from the land, and minimal use of technological equipment.
Thanks to the unconditional giving of contributors and volunteers from across North and South America and Europe, the most of the main sacred lodge building has now been constructed and is in useable condition.

The key milestones and achievements in building the Turtle Lodge follow:

Key Dates		Key Turtle Lodge Milestone & Accomplishments
February 11, 2002		First logs cut from the bush.
March 2002		Logs peeled and site prepared.
May 2002		First Annual Turtle Lodge Fundraiser, Days' Inn, Winnipeg
		Fundraiser "Hair-Cutting Event", Toronto
		Fundraiser at The Yoga Studio, Torono
June 2002		Turtle Lodge and Cookhouse foundations laid.
August 2002		Turtle Lodge and Cookhouse buildings raised.
September 2002		Roofing, doors, windows, insulation and all-wood panelling of majority of inside walls completed.
September 21, 2002		Pre-Opening Ceremony and Thanksgiving Feast.
October 2002		Installation of natural wood heating system.
		'Sharpening the Vision': Advancing The Turtle Lodge Programs.
		'Turtle Lodge' TV documentary airs nationally on 'CBC Sunday' (October 13, 2002)
November 2002		Installation of hardwood flooring.
		'Sharpening the Vision': Further design and development of The Turtle Lodge programs.
		Fundraiser in Toronto's 'The Yoga Studio'
		Fundraiser in Toronto's 'Ontario Power Generation Auditorium'
December 2002		Publication of 'Turtle Lodge Program Update', Vol. 1, No.1 (Fall-Winter 2002).
January 2003		Publication of The Turtle Lodge (Anishnabe Mikinack Kinamakamik): A Red Man's Vision. An First Nations Model of Wellness.
		Publication of Brochure: The Turtle Lodge: A Red Man's Vision of Wellness.
		Completion of hardwood flooring and inside wood paneling of main building.
		'Red Man's Vision' TV documentary airs nationally on The Sharing Circle, showcasing Nii Gaani Aki Inini and his vision of the Turtle Lodge (January 5, 2003).
		Endorsement of The Turtle Lodge and associated programs by unanimously carried by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, in support of Turtle Lodge and its programs (January 16, 2003).
		Aboriginal Awareness 2-Day Workshop Program/ Cross-Cultural Seminar for Department of Indian & Northern Affairs Canada staff (January 28-29, 2003).
February 2003		Meetings for initial discussion by The Turtle Lodge Peace Summit Committee, with local representatives of world's cultures, races and faiths.
		Group Session for Children from local Winnipeg school., Turtle Lodge website initiated.
		Preparation for Turtle Lodge Grand Opening Ceremonies
March 2003		Group Session for Children from local Winnipeg school held in The Turtle Lodge.
		The Turtle Lodge website development.
		Preparation for Turtle Lodge Grand Opening Ceremonies and Roundtable Discussion for Peace.
April 2003		The Turtle Lodge hardwood floor sanding and oiling.
		Preparations for The Turtle Lodge Grand Opening Ceremonies and Roundtable Discussion for Peace continue.
		Preparations for Second Annual Turtle Lodge Fundraiser initiated (Winnipeg).
		Fundraiser held in Toronto (Haircutting Event).
		Ongoing Turtle Lodge website development.
		Publication of the Statement of Purpose For The Turtle Lodge