Indigenous Success Stories: First Nations

Cree Nation Government – This first Amendment of the Cree Nation Governance Agreement is a watershed moment for private homeownership for the Cree of Eeyou Istchee. Today’s amendment will, for the first time, permit true private homeownership for the Crees. It will help to create wealth for Cree homeowners and business opportunities for Cree entrepreneurs while freeing community housing for low-income Crees, the elderly and the youth. Grand Chief Abel Bosum Chairperson, Cree Nation Government

The amendment to the Cree Nation Governance Agreement removes the previous 75-year term limit on residential land grants for Crees. As a result of the proposed Budget investments, loans incurred by the Cree Nation as part of negotiations of the Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement would be eligible for reimbursement. Forgiving and reimbursing loans would provide additional funding for Indigenous groups like the Cree Nation to invest in priorities like housing and help narrow the socio-economic gap that exists between Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.

Aboriginal Housing Management Association – is the first of its kind not for profit Indigenous housing authority. We leverage the collective impact of our membership to provide safe and secure housing for Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Peoples in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. Margaret Pfoh, CEO AMHA. In 2018, in partnership with the Provincial Government, AHMA co-created and administered the Building BC: Indigenous Fund. British Columbia became the first province in Canada to invest provincial funds into on and off-reserve housing.

A new First Nations professional group will begin work on January 1, 2019. The FNHPA is a national not-for-profit voluntary association whose purpose is to provide the means whereby FN housing managers and staff can better serve their communities and clients by developing, promoting and delivering quality standards, practices, certification, education, and by facilitating networking opportunities within the FN housing sector. By doing so, the FNHPA will provide the leadership and services to support housing professionals.

The FNHPA aims to:

• develop standards for competency, certification and ethical conduct;
• provide members with timely, relevant educational products and services to support and enhance the role of First Nations housing professionals;
• assist with standard setting for First Nations housing matters and the interpretation of and training on these standards;
• attract members who are proud to belong, have a desire to obtain and maintain a professional housing designation, wish to participate in networks, and are committed to sharing FNHPA’s purpose; and build relationships and partnerships with organizations looking to expand First Nations housing capacity.

The Fund enables First Nations to guarantee financing for a new home, to renovate and modernize an existing home, or create other market-based housing solutions for citizens on reserve and on settlement lands. As of October 5, 2017, 232 First Nations have chosen to work with the Fund. Credit has been approved for close to $925 million in 108 First Nations communities that could see some 6,300 home loans.

Federal government made a one-time investment of $300M.