MOU signing with Naut’sa
mawt Tribal Council

We are thrilled to share that on October 23rd, the Fund and Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council (NmTC) have signed an MOU to strengthen housing policies for First Nations communities across Canada. This partnership will focus on sharing knowledge, joint initiatives, and empowering sustainable housing practices. Discover how this collaboration will support First Nations communities nationwide.

MOU signing with
Yänonhchia’ Housing Finance

On December 1st, Lance Haymond, Director General of Yänonhchia’ Housing Finance (YHF), and Travis Seymour, CEO of the Fund, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Ottawa. The MOU seeks to align efforts in expanding housing finance models, securing new resources, and supporting the implementation of market-based housing programs, ultimately enhancing housing opportunities and affordability for First Nations residents.
Read the full press release here.

FNNBOA’s Gathering on
Housing Technical Knowledge

The Fund participated in the FNNBOA Gathering on Housing Technical Knowledge on September 24-25. Dedicated to advancing housing solutions in Indigenous communities, the conference addressed issues such as increasing disaster resilience of homes and exploring the use of 3D cameras for building code compliance.

FNTAA Conference and Tulo Centre Alumni Event

On October 2-3, the Fund attended the First Nations Tax Administrators Association (FNTAA) conference, where we presented on our housing programs and initiatives. This event allowed us to connect with financial experts and community leaders, and was an excellent opportunity to strengthen partnerships and ensure our support aligns with community needs.

Forward Summit
West Coast

The Forward Summit West Coast in late October brought together some of the most prominent names in Indigenous economic empowerment from across the country. Participants represented a diverse gathering of leaders and decision-makers, united by a shared intent to learn and drive change. It truly was an inspiring environment.

AFOA Atlantic Annual
Conference

The Fund was pleased to participate in the AFOA Atlantic Annual Conference, which brought together professionals from the Atlantic region. This year’s conference featured key updates from the Atlantic Policy Congress, Ulnooweg, and Indigenous Services Canada, along with engaging discussions on changes to provincial and national labour codes, strategies for attracting and retaining talent, and an in-depth look at the cost of housing.

First Nations
Leading the Way

The Fund was honoured to attend the annual First Nations Leading the Way conference, which provided a valuable opportunity to network with key leaders driving transformative governance and fiscal relations. The event featured powerful panel discussions, success stories, and practical innovations. Participants explored critical topics such as expanded First Nations tax jurisdiction, accessing global capital markets, financial management certifications, 10-year grants, and land registry systems.

Forward Summit
East

The Fund had the privilege of attending the Forward Summit East on September 25-26 at Rama Casino. We were proud to share our mission, connect with new professionals, and participate in insightful panel discussions on innovating Indigenous economies and amplifying voices for reconciliation.

AFOA MB’s Leadership & Administrators Conference

On October 9-10, Fund staff attended AFOA Manitoba’s Leadership & Administrators Conference, bringing together leaders and administrators to discuss key issues in governance, finance, and economic development. One of our trustees, Amy Comegan, FCPA, FCGA, CAFM also shared her knowledge on Audited Financial Statements – The Story They Tell.

BCAFN-FNHIC Housing and
Homelessness Forum

Also on the West Coast, the Fund attended the BCAFN-FNHIC Housing and Homelessness Forum on November 6-7. Held on Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc territory, the Forum brought together Chiefs, leadership, housing managers, policymakers, service providers, and community members to share First Nations-led solutions to address housing and homelessness issues across B.C.

FNHPA 3rd Annual National
Conference

Our team had an incredible time at the FNHPA 3rd Annual Conference earlier this week! From insightful pre-conferenc workshops on accessing housing financing, led by industry experts, to connecting with First Nations Housing Professionals from across Canada, the event was a true testament to collaboration.

Links to Learning

Our team attended the Links to Learning conference, held from December 2-4 in Vancouver. This annual technical training forum was an excellent chance to connect with Lands Managers, organizations, and service providers to share insights, explore current initiatives, and exchange best practices. These efforts contribute to fostering healthy, thriving First Nations communities through successful land management and economic development initiatives.

Conference Board of Canada
study

The Fund has partnered with the Conference Board of Canada on a new study, Opening Doors: How the First Nations Market Housing Fund Enhances Housing Options in Canada. This research examines the key factors influencing homeownership rates in First Nation communities and evaluates the capacity development and credit enhancement programs of the Fund.

You can access the full report here.

This past quarter, we had the pleasure of hosting online webinars and an in-person engagement session at the AFOA Atlantic Leadership and Governance Conference, facilitated by Cree8ive Advisory. The sessions centered on gathering feedback on a new membership model, exploring the potential transfer of care and control of the Fund to First Nations, and discussing future products and services.

A draw was held for AirPods during our webinars in October, and we’re happy to announce the winners:

• October 1st webinar: Josh Olowo
• October 28th webinar: Michael Tever