b'MODULAR HOUSINGhousing, Richards says. We work in tandem with the architect to ensure that RECOGNIZING A SPIRIT OF the building is designed both for modular manufacturing efficiency and to be cultur-QUIET ACTIVISM ally appropriate for the end user.Using cedar in the building design is In 2021, NUQO founder Rory Richards received a special and unexpectedone example of a culturally appropriate honour: British Columbias Medal of Good Citizenship. It was quite a surprise,element that Richards champions. Not only she says. I had no idea I was nominated for the medal. It took a call from myhas wood been a common housing mate-MLA to urge me to respond to the Legislature! rial for local Indigenous communities for centuries, but it is also considered sacred. The Medal of Good Citizenship was first established in 2015. In 2021 it focusedAs well, adds Richards, integrating a sense on recognizing people who had led their communities in responding to theof community into the design is critical. COVID-19 pandemic. Richards was among 31 recipients honoured at a virtualIts important that we engage Elders of medal presentation in March 2022. The ceremony was hosted by B.C. Ministerthe communities that were building in to of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Melanie Mark (HLI HAYKWHL II XSGAAK),ensure that the units and common areas who has Nisgaa, Gitxsan, Cree and Ojibway roots, and is the provinces firstare designed in a way that encourages female First Nations MLA. community activities and cultural prac-At the virtual event, B.C. Deputy Speaker Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLAticesareas where residents can prepare for Vancouver-West End, effusively praised Richards numerous activities inand share meals together, have a place to her West Vancouver neighbourhood, quite apart from her work with NUQO.create art or have extended family gath-She really was the inspiration in our community behind the 7:00 p.m. cheererings, she says. for health-care workers, for frontline workers, at the start of the COVID-19Also noteworthy is that NUQO exists not pandemic, Herbert said. We all remember getting together at 7:00 p.m. inonly to pioneer modular building in new scary times, but feeling some sort of hope and togetherness because we wereapplications, but to advocate for appro-all united in that thankfulness. It was one of many demonstrations of Rorys quiet activism, community leadership from the bottom upa quiet, heart- priately funded social housing built on a led leadership that really has defined her work for decades. solid budget, rather than the shoestring budgets that have historically been the Herbert also talked about Richards work in establishing the Vancouver Westnorm. Richards argumentwhich has Enders, a Facebook group that describes itself as a virtual park bench andproven effectiveis that cutting corners online gathering place for West End neighbours to converse, support andat the start results in higher repair bills later, share. The initiative helped people experience community in a time of isolation. as well as added costs tied to community Richards, said Herbert, is a proud Indigenous woman who really lives herhealth and wellbeing.vision of a world where actions reflect the truth that we are all connected If youre building housing, whether interconnectedand that survival relies on us doing the right thing for eachyoure a private developer, a non-profit other and our planet more often. or the government, in the end it never pays to build cheap. Todays cheap is 56A CCAB PUBLICATION2022'