Program
September
19
Pre-Conference Workshops
8:00 – 9:00am
Registration for pre-conference workshop participants
9:00am - 4:00pm
Pre-Conference Workshops
Conference
2:00 - 5:30pm
Registration
5:00 - 6:30pm
Opening Reception
September
20
7:15am - 4:00pm
Registration
8:00 - 9:00am
Networking Breakfast in the Exhibit Area
9:00 - 10:15am
Opening Prayer / Greetings / Welcome
Opening Prayer: Elder Jesse Ralph Morin, Enoch Cree Nation
Greetings: Councillor Lyle Morin, Enoch Cree Nation
Welcome by Conference Co-Chairs: Rosie Charles, FNHP, CIL, Associate Director, Housing & Technical Services, Prince Albert Grand Council and FNHPA Board Member
Roxanne Harper, FNHP, CIL, Turtle Island Associates and FNHPA Board Member
Platinum Sponsor Remarks: John Hrabec, Regional Manager Indigenous Banking, TD Bank Group
9:15 - 10:15am
Opening Plenary
Opening Plenary – Methamphetamine and its Effects on Housing
This presentation will include a brief history of methamphetamine and how it can contaminate homes. The speaker will address regulatory aspects of methamphetamine remediation, health and safety protocols, testing in homes and the process for meth remediation.
Speaker: Clarence J. Natomagan, Founder and Leader, Meth Busters Incorporated
10:15 - 10:45am
Health Break in the Exhibit Area
10:45am - 12:15pm
Concurrent Workshops
Addressing the Legislative (Colonial) Gap on Matrimonial Homes in First Nations Communities
The Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act provides new rights and remedies pertaining to what happens to a family home located on-reserve after a relationship breakdown or the death of a spouse. This legislation applies to First Nations until First Nations choose to enact their own Matrimonial Real Property (MRP) law. This legislation affects First Nations lands, family homes located on-reserve and the rights of members and residents to occupy those homes. This Act also provides rights to spouses and common law partners on-reserve with respect to the use, occupation and possession of homes.
In this workshop, the presenter will address what happens:
• to a family home upon the breakup of married spouses or common-law partners or a death;
• to the survivor on the death of their spouse or common-law partner; and
• to spouses or common-law partners in the event of family violence (both members and non-members)
The presenter will also speak about the history of the Family Homes on Reserve and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act, the need for MRP law, a model process for MRP law-making, a ratification process of MRP law, understanding the federal provincial rules, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and certificates of possessions in relation to the law.
Moderator: Rhoda Twumasi, Communications and Marketing Manager, First Nations Housing Professionals Association
Speaker: Audrey Marshall, Professor, Cape Breton University, Owner of Ma’sl Advisory and Consulting Services, and President, Mi’kmaq Circle of Hope Society
Health & Housing: Data and Storytelling from an Environmental Public Health Perspective
Housing is one of the most important places we inhabit and has the potential to significantly impact health in numerous ways. Environmental Public Health is the intersection of human health, the built environment and the natural environment. Environmental Public Health Officers assist First Nations communities to identify health hazards during healthy housing inspections and provide guidance on how to reduce these hazards. With the awareness of housing hazards and the associated health effects, combined data from healthy housing inspections and community housing professionals can provide a comprehensive narrative of the needs and condition of housing in the community, support effective investments, and reduce health impacts on First Nations people and the resulting expenditures in healthcare, ultimately leading to a safe and healthy community and people. This workshop will discuss what environmental public health is and how communities can leverage healthy housing inspections and data, the relationships between housing deficiencies and potential health outcomes, and how health and housing data can support priority areas for intervention within communities, regions and nationally.
Moderator: Brooke Duggan, Housing and Wellness Coordinator, First Nations Housing Professionals Association
Speakers: Simon Sihota, Regional Manager, Environmental Public Health Services, Indigenous Services Canada
Kyle Wonsiak, Acting Senior Environmental Public Health Officer, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch-Alberta Region, Indigenous Services Canada
FNHPA Regional Collaboration Circle: Regional Expansion Planning
This workshop is also available on Wednesday afternoon at 1:45pm.
Attend this FNHPA Collaboration Circle to discuss the creation and implementation of Regional Alliance’s across the Country.
FNHPA is a growing national not-for-profit association with an increasing membership striving to meet the needs of those working in or aspiring to positions within the First Nation Housing Industry. Our membership encompasses 9,984,670 square kilometres from coast to coast to coast and represents extensive and diverse nations, cultures and territorial areas. FNHPA is working toward the creation and implementation of such Regional Alliance’s that allow for and respond to local issues and challenges relating to on reserve First Nation housing management and operations. We continue to do outreach and canvass our members on how FNHPA can support them.
Methodology: Participate in an opportunity to discuss the directions for FNHPA that will allow us to better respond to the regional needs of the membership. Members are invited to participate in group discussions, brainstorming activity and collaboration with the intention of sharing information and knowledge while identifying how FNHPA can create, promote and support regional groups while continuing to deliver its FNHP Designation Program. During this session members will respond to specific questions and will also have an opportunity to ask specific questions.
Moderator: Farren Saulis, Executive Administrative Coordinator, First Nations Housing Professionals Association
Speakers: Candace Bennett, FNHP, CIL, Executive Director, First Nations Housing Professionals Association
Roxanne Harper, FNHP, CIL, Turtle Island Associates and FNHPA Board Member
12:15 - 1:45pm
Buffet Lunch
Sponsor Remarks: Chris Compton, Vice President, Account Executive, General Practice & Transportation, Indigenous Services Group, Aon
1:45 - 3:15pm
Concurrent Workshops
How do you Measure Healthy Housing? A workshop to Support the Development of an Indicator Tool for First Nations Housing Professionals
The First Nations Health Managers Association (FNHMA) has recently completed its most recent publication, FOCUS on Wellness: A Strength-Based Indicator Tool for First Nation Health. The FNHMA is now collaborating with the FNHPA to adapt the Indicator Tool to reflect the housing sector in First Nations.
As an early step in this exciting project, workshop speakers will share an overview of the FNHMA Indicator Tool. Then, using a focus group format, we will discuss how housing contributes to wellness in your community and explore how it gets measured. What represents “wellness” in the housing sector? How does this connect to your culture? Why does it matter?
Understanding these are the reasons why we seek indicators. They help us determine how housing is helping our communities become healthier, how we’re honouring our culture, and clarify what is making a difference.
Using indicators has been described as using a “two-eyed seeing approach to answering our own questions”. Although the terminology is a western term, the spirit of indicators represents how we understand community and identify what makes us stronger. Indicators help us make sense of what is happening, which makes it easier to plan and generate change.
The FNHPA and FNHMA want your input as we move forward. By sharing your lived experiences and the wisdom you’ve gained from working directly with your communities, this Indicator Tool will reflect the perspectives and voices of First Nations housing professionals.
Be part of this important early stage! Join us for a workshop and focus group where we will bring the flipcharts and you will bring your insights. You might even see your input quoted in the Tool!
Moderator: Brooke Duggan, Housing and Wellness Coordinator, First Nations Housing Professionals Association
Speakers: Lori Keith, Special Advisor, First Nations Health Managers Association
Selena Willier-Schmidt, Education Specialist, First Nations Health Managers Association
FNHPA Regional Collaboration Circle: Regional Expansion Planning
This workshop is also available on Wednesday morning at 10:45am.
Attend this FNHPA Collaboration Circle to discuss the creation and implementation of Regional Alliance’s across the Country.
FNHPA is a growing national not-for-profit association with an increasing membership striving to meet the needs of those working in or aspiring to positions within the First Nation Housing Industry. Our membership encompasses 9,984,670 square kilometres from coast to coast to coast and represents extensive and diverse nations, cultures and territorial areas. FNHPA is working toward the creation and implementation of such Regional Alliance’s that allow for and respond to local issues and challenges relating to on reserve First Nation housing management and operations. We continue to do outreach and canvass our members on how FNHPA can support them.
Methodology: Participate in an opportunity to discuss the directions for FNHPA that will allow us to better respond to the regional needs of the membership. Members are invited to participate in group discussions, brainstorming activity and collaboration with the intention of sharing information and knowledge while identifying how FNHPA can create, promote and support regional groups while continuing to deliver its FNHP Designation Program. During this session members will respond to specific questions and will also have an opportunity to ask specific questions.
Moderator: Farren Saulis, Executive Administrative Coordinator, First Nations Housing Professionals Association
Speakers: Candace Bennett, FNHP, CIL, Executive Director, First Nations Housing Professionals Association
Roxanne Harper, FNHP, CIL, Turtle Island Associates and FNHPA Board Member
Numbers Don’t Lie – True Costs of a Housing Project!
This workshop is intended to analyze the initial and the expected future costs beyond the 1-year, 5-year, 10-year and beyond. Taking a deep dive into future expenditures such as infrastructure improvements and on-going maintenance and repairs, to ensure the home meets health and safety standards and considering the potential revenue sources to offset the added costs beyond initial construction. We will discuss potential forecasting techniques to consider as they relate to setting aside reserves for maintenance and repairs funds. We will look at scenarios showing projected costs and potential opportunities to increase revenue and how this long-term financial projection would be implemented. Finally, we will discuss how critical the relationship is between the housing department and the senior financial leadership within the organization and how they can provide continued support to each other for the betterment of the community.
Moderator: Rhoda Twumasi, Communications and Marketing Manager, First Nations Housing Professionals Association
Speaker: Justin Jimmy, CAFM, Principal and Founder, Urban Cree Consulting
3:15 - 3:45pm
Health Break in the Exhibit Area
3:30 - 4:45pm
Annual General Meeting (for FNHPA members in good standing only)
6:30 - 9:00pm
Buffet Dinner, Convocation and Recognition Ceremony and Comedy by Howie Miller
Emcee: Waubageshig (Harvey McCue), CM, MA, Member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation and Member of the Board of Directors, FNHPA
Valedictorian: Melanie Chester, FNHP, Squiala First Nation, British Columbia
Comedy by Native American comedian, Howie Miller!
Howie is a First Nation descendant of the Cree Nation. He has performed at all the major Canadian comedy festivals including the “Winnipeg Comedy Festival”, the “Halifax Comedy Festival” and the prestigious “Montreal Just for Laughs Festival”.
September
21
7:45am - 12pm
Registration
8:00 - 9:00am
Networking Breakfast in the Exhibit Area
9:00 - 10:00am
Welcome and Plenary
On-Reserve Housing: Issues and Practical Solutions
On-reserve housing presents a variety of challenges for both Nations (landlords) and members (often the tenants) or non-members, if permitted by the Nation. The speaker will give a brief overview of common regimes, focusing on customary, Indian Act or Land Code models, and common issues arising under each, and possible solutions, including Housing Policies, Allocation Laws, and rental or tenancy agreements that best support the communities and tenants, as well as enforcement mechanisms, when required.
Speaker: Leah Mack, Founder and Partner, Mack Law Corporation
10:00 - 10:30am
Health Break... Last chance to visit exhibitors and artisans!
10:30am - 12:00pm
Concurrent Workshops
Reconciliation in Housing: Past, Present and Future
Unpacking the history and policies of First Nations’ housing through an interactive dialogue and sharing session. Understanding our collective histories and truths will allow us to begin the journey of healing and understanding First Nations housing. Together, let’s begin planting the seeds for future generations.
Moderator: Rosie Charles, FNHP, Associate Director, Housing & Technical Services, Prince Albert Grand Council and FNHPA Board Member
Speaker: Qwuy’um’aat (Eyvette) Elliott, FNHP, Owner, Ever Plan Consulting and Senior Strategic Advisor, BC Housing
Asset Management
Part 1 –“Asset Management” is the process of managing an asset’s entire lifecycle – from design and construction to decommissioning and disposal – in order to provide the best value level of service for the costs involved.
Many First Nations have already begun a process of asset management, even if it’s not recognized as such. Asset inventories, maintenance management plans, and investment plans, such as FNIIPs, are all common tools to start an asset management journey.
In 2020, with support from Indigenous Services Canada, TSAG partnered with Urban Systems Ltd. to provide information about and gather feedback on asset management practices in First Nations in Alberta. The products is an Asset Management Toolkit that provides resources specific to First Nations. While the process of asset management is similar between municipalities and First Nation communities, First Nations have several unique circumstances and data resources.
The Asset Management Toolkit and Resources: A First Nations Perspective, provides templates and step by step resources to support your Nation in asset management.
Moderator: Darlene Chevrier, FNHP, Director of Housing, Timiskaming First Nation and FNHPA Board Member
Speakers: Monica Bradley, Director of Technical Services, First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group Inc.
Dylan Cardinal, Home Inspections Coordinator, First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group Inc.
Part 2 – Asset Management Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations (WBAFN) is in the process of developing and implementing a robust GIS-integrated Asset Management System that is shared between its six member First Nations of Dokis, Henvey Inlet, Magnetawan, Nipissing, Wahnapitae and Wasauksing. The asset management system comprises the entire infrastructure asset inventory including housing, water treatment, roads, waste management and related components as well as the ability to generate work orders and various reports and financial models that are populated with the data integrated with and/ore exported from the GIS system. WBAFN will describe their accomplishments and the unique challenges they encountered and provide a brief demonstration of GIS data collection apps and work order platform
Speakers: Hannah Burke, Asset Management Coordinator and GIS Administrator, Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations
Valerie Commanda, Asset Management GIS Technologist, Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations
Managing Housing Portfolios
The presentation will focus on the best practices in property management as they relate to Sec95 and Nation owned housing units (housing portfolio). The speakers will also address areas of needs assessment on how to determine the number of homes required and highlight a few Indigenous architecture and housing projects from around the country. Please bring your business cards for networking opportunities during the workshop.
Moderator: Roxanne Harper, FNHP, CIL, Turtle Island Associates and FNHPA Board Member
Speakers: Alma Cardinal, Client Solutions Specialist, Indigenous Northern Housing Solutions, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Yolanta Scott, Specialist, Indigenous and Northern Housing Solutions (Alberta), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
12:00 - 1:15pm
Buffet Lunch
Sponsor Remarks: Travis Seymour, Executive Director, First Nations Market Housing Fund
1:15 - 2:15pm
Closing Plenary
Closing Plenary – Jordan’s Principle and Housing
Keynote Speaker: Koren Lightning-Earle, Legal Director, Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge, Faculty of Law, University of Alberta
2:15 - 2:45pm
Wrap-Up and Draws and Closing Prayer
Conference Co-Chairs: Rosie Charles, FNHP, Associate Director, Housing & Technical Services, Prince Albert Grand Council and FNHPA Board Member
Roxanne Harper, FNHP, CIL, Turtle Island Associates and FNHPA Board Member
Closing Prayer: Elder Jesse Ralph Morin, Enoch Cree Nation