b'MASS TIMBER CONSTRUCTIONMakwa Waakaaigan Indigenous Centre of Cultural ExcellenceArtist rendering of Makwa Waakaaigan Indigenous Centre of Cultural ExcellenceGIFTS FROM THEFORESTM a s s t i m b e r t e c h n o l o g y p r e s e n t s e x c i t i n g n e w o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r I n d i g e n o u s c o m m u n i t i e sBy Sarah B. HoodW ood is among the mostbusinesses, as it is increasing thejoined together with glue or fasteners, ancientofbuildingscopeforlumberandpotentiallyincluding glue-laminated building materials,butrecentcreating new jobs. It is also ideallyelements (known as glulam), cross-developmentsinsuited to building projects that honourlaminated timber (CLT), and dowel-lumberproductionIndigenous cultural principles since itlaminated timber (DLT).arerevolutionizingtheforestryechoes traditional building practices sector. In particular, mass timber and both preserves and reflects theItoffersnumerousadvantages.It also known as engineered woodisnatural environment. lends itself well to prefab construc-greatly expanding the possibilities fortion, contributing to labour, time and wood construction.The term mass timber refers to struc- cost savings. It makes use of smaller, This relatively new product has signif- tural columns, beams or panels manu- younger trees, which makes it sustain-icantimplicationsforIndigenousfactured from smaller pieces of woodable. The B.C. governments Mass 32A CCIB PUBLICATIONSummer 2024'