What We Offer
Building in a Good Way is an initiative by Keepers of the Circle designed to improve employment capacity in Indigenous communities through hands-on green construction skills training. We deliver three distinct programs serving Indigenous women, Two-Spirit peoples, and equity-deserving groups across Canada—completely free, with wrap-around supports to remove barriers to participation.
Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your expertise, we meet you where you are and provide the training, tools, and support you need to build a career in green building and a sustainable future for yourself and your community!
What is Building in a Good Way?
Sustainable
Mindful of our relationship to building, the materials we use, and the land we build on.
Resilient
Building strong homes that last for Seven Generations.
Healthy
Using safe materials that protect those who build and those who call these homes their own.
Connected
Honouring our connection to the land, the beings we share it with, and our communities: past, present, and future.
What is Green?
Green building is about constructing and renovating spaces in ways that are better for the environment, healthier for the people who build them and live in them, and built to last. It means thinking carefully about the materials we use — choosing sustainable options that reduce environmental impact and avoiding the harmful chemicals found in many conventional building products. It means harnessing renewable energy sources like solar to reduce a home's footprint. It means understanding how proper insulation keeps homes energy-efficient, comfortable, and safe. And for us, it means doing all of this in a Good Way — in relationship with the land, with the communities we serve, and with the generations who will call these spaces home.
Our Programs
Three pathways, one goal: empowering you with green building skills.
Building in 4 Directions
Hands-on, community-based green building training
Format: Hands-on training in your community
Length: 5 Days
Who It's For: Indigenous women, Two-Spirit peoples, and community members—no experience needed
What You'll Gain: Basic green building skills • Hands-on construction experience • Pathways to further training
Building in 4 Directions brings green building training directly to your community. Our training trailer will be going to communities across Canada, starting in Ontario and Quebec in 2026. The trailer will be actively traveling from May - September in 2026 and 2027.
Over 5 days, you'll gain hands-on experience with sustainable construction techniques, learn about energy-efficient retrofits, and build confidence working with tools and materials. This program is designed as an entry point - whether you're exploring the trades for the first time or looking to add green building skills to your experience for career opportunities.
Learning Outcomes: Basic green building skills and knowledge • Energy-efficient building principles • Safe use of construction tools and equipment • Understanding of sustainable materials • Connection to further learning pathways
Wrap-Around Supports: Completely free training • All materials and tools provided • Childcare reimbursement available • Community-based delivery (we come to you) • Culturally grounded curriculum
Building Green and Resilient Futures
Hybrid training program for workforce development in green building
Format: Hybrid training program for workforce development in green building
Length: 8-12 weeks
Who It's For: Indigenous women, Two-Spirit peoples, and other underrepresented groups seeking to enter or advance in green building
What You'll Gain: Advanced green building skills • Job placement support • Career pathways
Building Green and Resilient Futures is a comprehensive workforce development program designed to prepare you for employment in the growing green building sector. This hybrid program combines online learning modules with hands-on skill development. With learning pathway support and industry connections, this program sets you up for long-term success.
Learning Outcomes: More advanced green retrofit and construction techniques • Energy-modeling and building science • Career readiness and employment skills • Connections to furthering your learning and training
Wrap-Around Supports: Free training • Job placement assistance • Culturally safe learning environment
Rethink Building
In-depth online training in green building practices and sustainable design
Format: Online training program
Length: 6-8 weeks of online live trainings
Who It's For: Anyone seeking to upskill in green building through an Indigenous culturally sensitive lens
What You'll Gain: Deep understanding of green building • Sustainable design principles • Cultural approaches to building
Rethink Building offers an in-depth exploration of why and how green building is essential to creating sustainable, resilient, and healthy homes and communities. This online program allows you to dive deep into sustainable design principles, energy efficiency, and culturally grounded approaches to building. Perfect for professionals looking to expand their expertise or anyone passionate about sustainable construction!
Learning Outcomes: Comprehensive understanding of green building principles • Sustainable and regenerative design approaches • Indigenous perspectives on sustainable building • Energy efficiency and climate resilience strategies • Building science and materials knowledge • How to Rethink Building for healthier communities
Wrap-Around Supports: Completely free online access • Culturally sensitive curriculum • Expert instruction and support • Access to a community of learners
Fully Supported. Completely Free.
Every Building in a Good Way program is completely free—no hidden costs, no barriers to entry. We provide all materials, tools, and training at no charge to participants. Beyond free access, we offer wrap-around supports designed to remove obstacles and set you up for success, including childcare reimbursement, technology support, and culturally grounded learning environments.
Our commitment is simple: if you're ready to learn, we'll make sure nothing stands in your way.
The Complete Pathway
Your Journey, Your Choice
While each program stands on its own, you can move through multiple programs to deepen your skills and expand your opportunities. Start with hands-on fundamentals in Building in 4 Directions, advance to comprehensive training in Building Green and Resilient Futures, and explore advanced concepts in Rethink Building—or enter at any point that matches your experience and goals!
Benefits of Completing Multiple Programs
- Deeper expertise in green building and sustainable construction
- Enhanced opportunities and advancement for potential future careers
- Broader skill set from hands-on to theoretical knowledge
- Comprehensive understanding from foundation to advanced practices
- Leadership capacity within your community
Skills to Build a Better Future
Building Economic Independence
Energy-efficient, well-built homes mean healthier families and lower costs. Learn to build and retrofit homes using safe materials and sustainable practices, and gain the hands-on trades skills that open doors to stable, meaningful careers. This is work that makes a real difference in daily life, and an opportunity to bring lasting economic prosperity to your community.
Creating Healthier Homes
A well-built, energy-efficient home protects the health of everyone inside — better air quality, less mold, more consistent warmth. And when you have the skills to assess and improve your own home, that's one less thing to worry about. Because housing stress is a health issue too.
Protecting the Land for Seven Generations
The way we build has always been a statement about what we value — and what we want to leave behind. Climate-resilient construction means homes that last, materials that don't harm the land, and practices that account for the beings and ecosystems we share this place with. Building well is one of the most tangible ways to honour our responsibility to the generations coming after us.
Our Funder
This project is funded by the Government of Canada's Sustainable Jobs Training Fund.