Agenda
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Day 1
April 30, 2024
Registration and Continental Breakfast
Traditional Welcome
FOCUS ON FUNDING
Working Together on Indigenous Housing: Bridging the Gap Between On and Off Reserve
Cliff GrantDirector Strategic RelationsAboriginal Housing Management Association
This session will highlight the need for collaboration and how communities are bridging the gap between on and off-reserve housing. Topics of discussion include:
- Funding options for both on and off reserve
- Renovation and preservation of housing for Indigenous communities (First Nations, Métis and Inuit)
Housing Models Across the Country: First Nations Access to Safe, Secure, Adequate and Affordable Housing No Matter Where They Live
Michael SadlerExecutive DirectorFirst Nations Housing & Infrastructure Council (FNHIC)
- Examining housing models across Canada for First Nation communities
- What can we all learn from each other? What steps can be taken to support Indigenous-led solutions that provide wrap-around services and build communities in urban, rural and northern areas?
Wellness Refreshment Break — Sponsored by:
Lisa HelpsExecutive Lead BC Builds Project OriginationBC Housing
Rising to meet the challenge of building homes that middle-income households can afford requires a collaborative effort. The province’s new BC Builds program works in partnership with First Nations, non-profits, local governments, and the construction sector to identify available underused land, provide low-cost financing and funding, and quickly deliver projects that create more rental homes and help bring rents more in line with what middle income households earn. Lisa Helps will unpack how this initiative is designed to deliver through current obstacles to developing rental housing – inflation, the cost of land, the cost of construction, and high interest rates – through the power of partnerships and will be highlighting ongoing work with the Cowichan Tribes and Khowutzun Development to show what opportunities can be realized through the program.
Networking Luncheon
Lory OberstDirectorBC First Nations Housing Managers Association
Chelsey GrierDirector of Programs and ServicesFraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
First Nations are the fastest growing demographic in Canada. However, the current demand for housing on reserve is not meeting demand, and backlogs continue to grow. An estimated $30 billion is needed to close the gap in repairs and upgrades to homes and related infrastructure. However, there is no additional funding for new home builds.
- Determining ways to develop your strategy that will make the most of the funding you have available
- Overcoming the challenges of finding new funding opportunities
Wellness Refreshment Break — Sponsored by:
Strengthening and Enforcing Robust Housing Policies for an Effective Housing Department from Rent Collection to Repairs
Caroleen StevensonHousing ManagerPasqua First Nation
Rhonda BrownHousing ManagerSkwah (Sqwá) First Nation
Sheila CaesarHousing ManagerLiard First Nation
- Identifying lessons learned from the last few years and any changes to your housing processes
- Determining what needs to be reviewed and upgraded to better reflect your community’s current housing needs
- Best practices to manage your portfolio using housing policies effectively
- Understand how to develop or update your housing policies and then implement them effectively: Rent collection and arrears
- What policies are enforceable?
Nick WesteringhCEO Westbow Group of CompaniesOwner, Mint Tiny House
- Overview of Westbow Group’s current housing and land developments with First Nation communities
- Brief overview of Westbow Capital
- Addition of Mint Tiny House Company to offer a complete suite of housing solutions for communities
- Row home housing
Cliffton CrossCouncil MemberFrog Lake First Nations
- Creating an indigenous-led holistic framework to achieve sustainable, energy efficient, intergenerational homes
- Utilization of the two-eye seeing indigenous knowledge alongside western modes and technological advancements
- Decentralization of energy sources, sustainable building materials and holistic living to achieve a balanced and abundant quality of life
Closing Remarks from the Chairs and Conference Adjourns to Day 2
Day 2
May 1, 2024
Registration and Continental Breakfast
Opening Remarks from the Conference Chair
Erica BeaudinChiefCowessess First Nation
April MartelChiefK’atl’odeeche First Nation
Hear directly from community Chiefs as they address the most pressing housing challenges from over-housing and under-housing and homelessness, as well as accommodating the needs of elders and children alike.
- Determining what is required to establish safe housing
- Examining the parameters that need to be met for providing affordable housing
Wellness Refreshment Break — Sponsored by:
Asset Management: Proactively Manage your Infrastructure in a More Sustainable Way and Taking Preventative Measures with Improved Operations and Maintenance
Sharon McKayProgram ManagerFirst Nations Housing & Infrastructure Council (FNHIC)
- Understanding the important of sounds asset management planning among First Nations’ elected officials and technical personnel
- Identifying the importance of asset management as a strategic business tool and its role in effective planning, priority-setting and decision-making
- Developing the ‘best in class’ asset management plan and implementing it
Networking Luncheon
Donna St LouisAssociate Director, Member ServicesFirst Nations Finance Authority (FNFA)
The First Nations Finance Authority was created to provide First Nation governments with access to the same types of affordable financing that other local and regional governments in Canada use to ensure quality of life for their citizens.
There is a $350 billion infrastructure gap that exists between First Nation communities and the rest of Canada. While Canada has committed to closing the infrastructure gap by 2030, its current funding model is outdated and ineffective.
Monetization is the process used by provinces and local governments to build their infrastructure – build now at today’s costs with financing and pay over a chosen loan term.
FNFA suggests Canada utilize this viable solution to allow First Nations to close the gap at a much faster pace. Monetization can be a means of unlocking federal funds to build critical infrastructure, including housing. Federal dollars allocated annually for First Nations infrastructure could be leveraged up to 24.5 times over 30 years to finance multiple projects before inflation continues to widen the gap.
This presentation will:
- Discuss how First Nation governments can access capital for housing and infrastructure projects through sustainable bond markets.
- Introduce Monetization and describe how a pilot project using Monetization could be used to build housing.
- Provide information on FNFA’s services and initiatives, such as Insurance, that will support infrastructure projects for First Nations.
Jada Rain BrittonAssociate Project ManagerSkeetchestn Dodeca-Homes
- Blending traditional Indigenous architectural elements with contemporary design principles to create spaces that are both culturally significant and functionally efficient
Katlia LaffertyArticled Studentmacushlaw
Member
Yellowknives Dene First Nation
James StruthersFounder & Managing Lawyermacushlaw