“We are listening to the people. They are the ones who are going to decide what this model and transformation will be like.”
Drew Pearson, CEO
Phase 1: Initiation and Engagement
In Phase 1, the goal was to establish a First Nations Housing and Infrastructure Agency that is built by First Nations for First Nations and that subsequently is governed by First Nations and delivers programs and services designed to meet the needs of First Nations.
During extensive engagement, we heard that there is widespread support for the transition from government to First Nation’s control with many seeing the transformation as an exciting opportunity.
Phase 2: Continued Engagement and Program Development with Member Nations
This phase involves repeated engagement sessions so that ideas and ongoing feedback can help us further refine our focus on the delivery model and the terms of the associated transfer agreement with Canada.
Phase 3: Pilot Assessment
This phase involves working with Member First Nations to assess and quantify the infrastructure gap on Reserve lands.
Phase 4: Agency Operations
The transfer of responsibility from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to First Nations. Since FNCIAS is owned and operated by First Nations, it will generate long–term employment and career development for Indigenous people in housing and infrastructure.
Addressing the housing crisis in Saskatchewan
The current First Nations infrastructure gap is unacceptable, but it is likely to become even more severe in the future. Innovative infrastructure solutions are needed given First Nations’ growing populations, anticipated growth in the reserve land base, and proximity of reserves to growing urban centres. Canada has recently announced commitments to redesign the process for additions to reserve and better address specific outstanding claims. This commitment to reform is welcome, but success necessitates a new approach to First Nations infrastructure governance.
First Nations’ housing in Canada has been a story about government oversight, layers of regulations, inadequate budgets, ineffective programs, loss of control, family and social disruption, ill health, and poverty. Houses have become objects of shame and frustration for many of the occupants. The gap between living conditions on First Nations and the rest of Canada is well documented—all the while successive governments have promised, one after another, to close that gap.