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“On behalf of the elders, I'd like to thank all the people involved in getting this thing together,” said Spirit Lake Elder Josie Lawrence. “It's been a while, but it's a great day for our elders. I'm glad to see this happening today.”
Lawrence was one of the honored guests at a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for a new elderly complex on the Spirit Lake Reservation.
He was joined by other elders, tribal officials, members of the USDA and a number of interested spectators.
The 18 unit multi-family building is being constructed by Shingobee of Loretto, Minn. It is designed for tenants 62 years of age or older and for those with disabilities. All units are one bedroom, with one handicap accessible unit.
The building will also contain a common area and kitchen. The completed structure will be 16,580 square feet and cost nearly $3 million.
“This is a historical event,” said Bernice Juarez, who will serve as project manager.
Juarez served as emcee for the groundbreaking ceremony and the Spirit Lake Singers provided the drum music. Tribal member Richard Yankton blessed the ground in Sioux and Oliver Gourd, Sr. demonstrated a sage ceremony, where he blessed the dirt and asked for guidance on the project.
The new facility was made possible because of a $200,000 USDA multi-family housing direct loan, with the remaining funds provided by congressional earmarks and the Spirit Lake Tribe.
The building will be owned and operated by the Spirit Lake Housing Corporation.
Samantha Evenson, Public Relations Specialist for USDA, said the building should be ready for occupancy in early 2012.
“The project is very much needed due to a history of housing shortage, compounded by the shortage of housing due to flooding issues in the Lake Region area,” she said.
The property is located next to the Fort Totten Clinic.
“On behalf of the elders, I'd like to thank all the people involved in getting this thing together,” said Spirit Lake Elder Josie Lawrence. “It's been a while, but it's a great day for our elders. I'm glad to see this happening today.”
Lawrence was one of the honored guests at a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for a new elderly complex on the Spirit Lake Reservation.
He was joined by other elders, tribal officials, members of the USDA and a number of interested spectators.
The 18 unit multi-family building is being constructed by Shingobee of Loretto, Minn. It is designed for tenants 62 years of age or older and for those with disabilities. All units are one bedroom, with one handicap accessible unit.
The building will also contain a common area and kitchen. The completed structure will be 16,580 square feet and cost nearly $3 million.
“This is a historical event,” said Bernice Juarez, who will serve as project manager.
Juarez served as emcee for the groundbreaking ceremony and the Spirit Lake Singers provided the drum music. Tribal member Richard Yankton blessed the ground in Sioux and Oliver Gourd, Sr. demonstrated a sage ceremony, where he blessed the dirt and asked for guidance on the project.
The new facility was made possible because of a $200,000 USDA multi-family housing direct loan, with the remaining funds provided by congressional earmarks and the Spirit Lake Tribe.
The building will be owned and operated by the Spirit Lake Housing Corporation.
Samantha Evenson, Public Relations Specialist for USDA, said the building should be ready for occupancy in early 2012.
“The project is very much needed due to a history of housing shortage, compounded by the shortage of housing due to flooding issues in the Lake Region area,” she said.
The property is located next to the Fort Totten Clinic.
