K’awat’si Construction Company Wins
2026 VIBI Award for Tsulquate Big House Project

PORT HARDY, B.C., June 12, 2026 — The Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations began opening ceremonies on June 15 for the Tsulquate Big House, a dedicated gathering place built after generations without one following the 1964 forced relocation by Canada. Nation-owned K’awat’si Construction Company (KCC) received the 2026 Vancouver Island Building Industry (VIBI) Award for Best Prime Contractor Project in the $10 million to $25 million category for its work on the project.

For the Nations, the Big House is a place for ceremony, teaching, identity, and community gathering. As Prime Contractor, KCC worked with Nation leadership, cultural advisors, artists, carvers, architects, engineers, trades, and community members to help carry a long-held community vision into built form, while the cultural meaning and ceremonial purpose remain with the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations and the generations who will gather there.

The building features a heavy-timber structural system and specialized underground ventilation to support the ceremonial fire and smoke movement through the smoke hole above. Large beams and posts, including timbers from approximately 100-year-old logs provided by the Nations in accordance with cultural protocols, define the structure. Gwa’Nak Resources, a GNN/KEDC forestry subsidiary, supported the sourcing and handling of key Western Red Cedar and Sitka Spruce logs, working with Nation representatives and project partners to carefully select timber suited to the building’s form and purpose. Community members contributed across construction and finishing, culminating in the installation of the carved house poles.

“The Big House opening is a catalyst that assures the resilience of our people and our future generations,” said Janet Hanuse of the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations. “It is our place for ceremony, education, gathering, law, and celebration. We are proud to see the results of our capacity that brings this Bighouse to life and makes resilience a reality.”

“The Big House belongs to the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations and to the generations who will gather there,” said Cyrus Singh, CEO of KEDC. “KCC is honoured to have supported that vision and proud that the work has been recognized by the industry. This recognition reflects years of investment in building Indigenous construction capacity and the expertise required to deliver projects of this scale and significance.”

The award marks a milestone in KCC’s growth as a Nation-owned contractor, while the opening of the Big House remains the central story: a historic community moment now moving from construction into ceremony and use.

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Tsulquate Big House Wins 2026 VIBI Award

K’awat’si Construction Company has been awarded the 2026 Vancouver Island Building Industry Award for Best Prime Contractor Project ($10M–$25M) for the Tsulquate Big House.

A project built with purpose, guided by cultural protocols, and designed to serve generations to come.

Abiola Ayanwale

Project Coordinator

I was drawn to construction not simply to build, but to lead vision into reality. My architectural foundation gave me a deep sense of design, proportion, and spatial thinking, shaping how I approach every project today; not as isolated tasks, but as coordinated systems that must flow seamlessly from concept to completion.

Over the past five years, I have supported commercial, residential, civil and institutional projects across Canada. Focused on scheduling, cost control, QA/QC systems, and site operations. I have worked closely with project managers, consultants, and trade partners to manage competing priorities, maintain schedule integrity, and deliver disciplined execution under demanding conditions.

What sets me apart is the seamless integration of architecture and construction management. I evaluate drawings not only for compliance, but for constructability, sequence efficiency, and field practicality. This dual lens allows me to identify risks early, preserve design intent while maintaining budget and timeline discipline, and translate complex drawings into practical site strategies; strengthening collaboration, reducing uncertainty, and enhance overall project delivery.

Today, I am proud to contribute to K’awat’si Construction Company, where collaboration, accountability, and community impact sit at the heart of everything we do. I am dedicated to growing as a strategic project leader who elevates performance standards, strengthens team alignment, and delivers projects that create lasting value for clients and the communities we serve.

My focus is simple: plan with precision, execute with discipline, and lead with purpose.

Timy Thomas

Designer / Project Coordinator

Timy is a motivated construction and design professional with a strong foundation in civil engineering and architectural technology. I hold a Diploma and B.Tech in Civil Engineering from India and a Diploma in Architectural Technician from Sheridan College, Canada.

With over six years of experience as a Civil CAD Engineer at Excellent Training Center in India, she developed solid expertise in technical drafting and building design. After relocating to Canada, Timy worked as an Architectural Technician at MEM Engineering Construction Company in Mississauga, where she contributed to architectural documentation and project support.

She currently works as a Project Coordinator at K’awat’si Construction Company, where she has supported project planning and execution for over a year. Timy moved to Port Hardy and settled in with my family to continue my journey with K’awat’si Construction Company and contribute meaningfully to the development of this growing community.

Timy specializes in building architectural design and is highly proficient in AutoCAD and Revit. She is passionate about continuous learning and professional growth and is always open to opportunities to contribute to innovative construction and design projects.

Brad Simmons

Estimator

I graduated from Cabot Institute in Newfoundland in 1992 with a diploma in Architectural Building Technology. In 1993 I moved to British Columbia in search for work and ended up settling in Chilliwack.

I started my career in construction in 1993 working as an estimator for Douglas Homes, that exported panelized and precut houses to Japan. From there I went to Canadian Homes International that exported wood framed building packages to Asia and Russia. There I worked as chief estimator, purchaser, and designer. When that market crashed, I took a role at Britco a modular manufacturer as senior estimator. After about six months with an unexpected downturn at the company, I moved to Calgary to work at ATCO structures as Senior Estimator/Estimating Manager.

At ATCO I was responsible for providing turnkey proposals for permanent and temporary work camps to the Alberta Oil patch, eastern Canada, and throughout the world. After about seven years I moved back to Chilliwack to work as Senior estimator at Britco. Britco’s primary focus was providing workforce housing to work camps for Alberta’s oil patch. Britco completed a large work camp for Manitoba Hydro and soon after was sold to Western One which eventually sold it to Triple M Modular out of Lethbridge. Metric worked primarily as a permanent modular builder and installer, with such projects as 5 storey modular dormitory for Trinity Western University, various passive house projects and a branded modular hotel in Kelowna. I continued to work there until Metric was put into receivership in 2020. After which I went to work with Freeport Industries, a modular builder located in West Kelowna, as a Senior Estimator. Freeport Industries does residential modular as well as commercial permanent modular with various BC Housing supportive housing projects and daycares. I departed Freeport Industries in June of 2025.

In 2025 I moved to Port Hardy with my two dogs and a cat to work at Kawatsi Construction Company as Senior Estimator. I’m looking forward to bringing what I’ve learned in my many years in the modular industry to my new position and starting my new life in the beauty of the north Island.

Doug Dewhirst

Construction Safety Manager

Doug possesses decades of construction experience across multiple sectors, including commercial, residential, and infrastructure. During much of that time he served as first aid and having seen the damage an incident can do he was able to transition into a safety role. Since then, Doug dedicated the last 15 years of his career to enhancing health and safety as a way life, not just at the worksite but in facets of life. 

Stephen Dugas

General Superintendent

General Superintendent with 15 years of construction experience working on the north island with first nation communities and surrounding districts. Proven leader on many residential, civil and commercial projects. Strong leadership skills, problem solver and willing to dive into the trenches to help the team get any task completed. Born and raised on the north island, Stephen has a strong connection with the surrounding first nation communities and districts. Has many years of knowledge of how to build on the north island, rural areas and how to navigate through the challenges that come with it.

Darren Ward

Procurement Manager / Purchasing

I began my career in the construction industry in the early 2000s, specializing in straw bale homes across Alberta, British Columbia, and Washington State. Inspired by the classic Three Little Pigs tale and the inevitable jokes that came with it, I founded Big Bad Wolf Straw Bale Homes, a name that proved to be memorable marketing. During that time, I helped build 32 custom homes and contributed to the construction of Canada’s first straw bale winery. After several successful years in construction, I transitioned into a 15-year career in emergency management and fire services. I served in a variety of roles, including Fire Instructor, and worked closely with oil and gas companies to design and implement fire prevention and firefighting systems for refinery operations. This experience strengthened my leadership skills, risk management expertise, and commitment to safety—principles that continue to guide my work today. When I started my family, I returned to my roots in construction, taking on Project and Sales Management roles where I could combine hands-on building knowledge with client relationships and strategic planning. Now settled on Vancouver Island with my three daughters, a cat, and a puppy, I’m proud to have built a fulfilling life both personally and professionally. Today, I am grateful to be part of the incredible team at K’awat’si Construction Company, where I bring decades of construction and safety experience to every project we undertake.

Thomas Bishop

Construction manager & Business Development manager

Tom has a comprehensive background in construction and project management. His extensive experience includes a proven track record in residential & commercial construction, site inspections, and quantity surveying. Tom‘s expertise extends to preliminary design and preparing detailed cost estimates for conceptual, design-build, and general tender projects. He excels in establishing unit costs, labor rates, productivity factors, and carefully considering location impacts. He has a history of producing comprehensive specification bid documents, catastrophe valuations, and narrative reports. His skill set also encompasses conflict resolution services and cost control auditing, including adept management of construction contracts. Tom has built over 400 residential dwellings in the central island region and has overseen construction of several subdivision projects. He also worked as a forensic cost consultant in the insurance industry where he provided detailed replacement costs and actual cash value valuations for complex residential, commercial, and industrial properties. He has completed advanced training in the interpretation of the new STEP code in BC. Tom is certified with the CCPIA as a commercial property inspector with designations in Life Safety, Commercial Kitchens, and Commercial HVAC. Tom is also a professional musician. He is a songwriter and guitar player and plays live both as a solo artist and with bands in the mid island. He has not missed a Blue Jays game during the last three seasons!

Peter Mcgrath

Project Manager – Housing and Renovations

Peter McGrath has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, including 15 years as owner/operator of a residential construction company. Peter has a wide range of experience across all aspects of the construction business and operations. Peter has developed his skills through many roles with KCC since starting in 2021. Having been a Carpenter, Site Lead, Estimator, Superintendent, Project Coordinator, and Safety Coordinator before taking on his current role. Peter has been involved with over 100 of KCC’s projects in the last five years, as well as assisting in the development of a COR-certified safety program.