Registration Opens and Coffee is Served

Opening Remarks from Forum Chair

BRIEFING

Federal Government Assistance for First Nation Housing and Infrastructure

Indigenous Controlled Data, Analytics and Capacity Building – The Impact on Housing and Infrastructure

The collection, storage and use of data, including financial, health and census data, will assist Indigenous communities to become more effective in using their limited resources. This session will discuss how Indigenous-led consortia are gaining control of their data and maintaining their own sovereign territory.

• How the collection and use of data can impact areas such as housing, infrastructure, vulnerable persons and economic development
• Understanding the direct links between band economic development, housing and data management
• Debating the advantages for communities which have their own data

Networking Refreshment Break

The Journey from Community Housing to an Optimal Balance of Public and Market Housing

• The role of the Aboriginal Savings Corporation of Canada (ABSCAN) in providing home finance on First Nation reserves
• Articulating the organization’s approach
  • How a philosophy of incremental change and support for early adopters and local change leaders has the potential to move the housing agenda to an optimal balance between public responsibility for affordable housing and personal responsibility for market housing solutions
  • Analyzing the results of the initiative
• How ABSCAN’s efforts to expand and replicate its proven loan and “tools for change” model to a wider circle of First Nations is faring
  • Timeline for expansion
  • Program expectations and acceptance

Supporting Community Members’ Financial Wellness

• Introducing a framework for First Nation financial wellness
• Highlighting opportunities and promising practices for financial wellness services including:
  • Support in accessing income boosting government benefits for families and seniors
  • Access to money management education and assistance
• Sharing practical tools, approaches and resources to assist community members with financial challenges in building their household financial security

Networking Luncheon

CASE STUDY

Elsipogtog’s Commercial Endeavours and the Expected Impact on Community Infrastructure

Learn about the decision of the largest New Brunswick-based First Nation to build a pharmacy and supermarket to resolve members’ logistical challenges associated with buying groceries and medication

• Examining the costs to develop the new retail enterprises and how Elsipogtog secured the necessary financing
• How the initiatives will bolster community revenue for housing and infrastructure plans
• Assessing lessons gained from the development project and advice for other First Nations contemplating similar moves

Networking Refreshment Break

Moving Forward: Using Innovation and Program-Based Thinking to Drive Infrastructure Progress on First Nations

The federal government recently announced it will relax the annual use-it-or-lose-it constraints on First Nation infrastructure funding. This will open the door to the adoption of multi-year, programmatic thinking to address First Nation infrastructure issues and challenges. How can First Nations adapt to this new way of thinking, and maximize the benefits to their communities? Topics for discussion include:

• Setting community infrastructure goals and objectives
• The evaluation of current and future needs and priorities
• Building a multi-year business case for renewal and maintenance
• Embracing innovation and new building techniques
• How to plan and deliver effective infrastructure programs
• Measuring progress and community outcomes

Creating an Economic Development Strategy to Sustain Your First Nation Community

• Garnering insights about how First Nations have partnered with resource industries to finance housing and infrastructure, including mining, forestry, hydropower and oil and gas
  • How to establish a relationship with a resource company
  • The processes and protocols ensuring equitable revenue distribution
• Developing a viable plan when your community has no access to natural resources
  • Examining the typical economic strategies First Nations embrace
  • Coast-to-coast success stories
• How to replicate the achievements of other reserves
  • Addressing financial concerns and legal issues
  • Gaining widespread support of initiatives
  • Measuring performance and building on achievements

Closing Remarks from the Forum Chair

Forum Adjourns

Refreshments are Served

Opening Remarks from Forum Chair

Keynote Address:

Education and Support for Successful Tenancy

A look at the provincially-funded education series to improve relationships between tenants and landlords. The RentSmart program is kicking off in Ontario after success in Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.

• Understanding how knowledge and life skills lead to stable housing
• Rights, responsibility and relationship building and managing your tenancy
• The power of effective communication and housing stability

Networking Refreshment Break

Abandoning the Cookie-Cutter Approach to First Nation Communities

• The role of modern finance in providing a faster, tailored approach – Why governmentfunded programs are not the only, or most appropriate, pathways for Nations, due to demanding processes and limited funding
  • How bridge financing can mitigate seasonal building challenges and government funding gaps
• Understanding community development – How innovative, multi-phase planning creates thriving communities
  • Assessing, identifying and implementing your communities economic strategy
• How modern financial processes have been successfully used across Canada for social and economic development projects
  • Case Study: Brokenhead First Nation & Natashquan First Nation

CASE STUDY

Yale First Nation’s Bid for Energy Efficiency

• Learn about the motivations behind Yale First Nation’s move toward passive homes
  • Measuring overall energy performance
  • Cost savings
• The connection between housing and returning home
  • Nurturing a sense of belonging and positive change
  • The long-term advantages of repatriation
• Advice to other communities considering passive house adoption, including vendor options and implementation challenges

Networking Luncheon

Conducting a Needs Assessment for Housing and Infrastructure

• Taking stock of existing on-reserve housing and infrastructure and gauging your community’s capacity to manage programs:
  • Construction expertise, financial and property management skills, and rent collection
• An analysis of projected housing and infrastructure needs as populations fluctuate
  • Predicted costs associated with potential expansion
  • Determining housing and infrastructure building formats, materials and size

On Time and on Budget – The Cardinal Rules of Construction Project Management

This session will provide you with comprehensive guidelines about how to approach the management of infrastructure and housing projects in order to achieve successful outcomes. Gain insights on:

• Assembling project teams: Prioritizing tasks and delegating authority to team members
• Conducting regular team project reviews to manage timelines and emerging challenges
• How to get back on track when the coordination of multiple projects falls behind
  • Developing realistic deadlines and expectations
  • Re-evaluating team membership if necessary

Networking Refreshment Break

The Environmental Impacts of Community Building

• An overview of the phases of an environmental site assessment to identify and manage liabilities associated with potential contamination of sites
  • Initial site assessment, physical assessment and remediation of impacted locations
• The role and responsibility of stakeholders including government, engineering firms and First Nations, in environmental monitoring
• How to manage an environmental crisis
  • Guidelines to gain control of the situation
  • When to contact external stakeholders and seek assistance

Closing Remarks from Forum Chair

Forum Closes