(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations: AFN Manitoba Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse participated in a meeting today with Federal/Provincial/Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Housing and National Indigenous Organizations (NIOs), calling for more investments and support for First Nations housing and challenging Provincial and Territorial governments to work in partnership with First Nations.

“I believe we share a belief in a universal principle – adopted internationally as a basic human right – that safe and adequate housing is not only essential for the wellbeing of First Nations, but is essential for everyone’s wellbeing,” said AFN Regional Chief Woodhouse, who is responsible for the AFN Housing portfolio on the AFN Executive Committee. “First Nations from coast to coast to coast share an over abundance of poor quality and quantity of housing, due to a deplorable legacy of colonialism. It is our shared commitment to change that reality and ensure all our people have safe and healthy homes.”

AFN Regional Chief Woodhouse provided remarks on the implementation of the federal Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, AFN National First Nations Homelessness Action Plan and First Nations jurisdiction over housing.

In addition to pressing for more investments, AFN Regional Chief Woodhouse challenged all Provincial and Territorial (PT) governments to work in partnership with First Nations on housing priorities with First Nations taking the lead.

“I lift up the Government of British Columbia for leading the way for its provincial and territorial counterparts by investing in urban and rural Indigenous housing and all housing in First Nation communities,” said AFN Regional Chief Woodhouse. “Provincial and territorial government investments will go a long way in reducing homelessness in urban areas, while raising the standard of housing to a level enjoyed by most Canadians, and we must work together with First Nations leading the way.”

The 2022 Federal Budget committed $3 billion over five years to First Nations housing compared to the minimum $60 billion needed to close the funding gap for First Nations housing.

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.