Dear Valued Members and Stakeholders,
As we move through 2026, I continue to be encouraged by the momentum we are seeing.
Earlier this month, the Fund was proud to partner with BMO to host our first-ever On-Reserve Credit Enhancement Workshop. The workshop brought together First Nation housing and finance professionals for practical discussions on credit readiness, lending opportunities, and pathways to increase access to homeownership financing on reserve. The strong participation and engagement demonstrated the growing demand for collaborative approaches that help families access safe, affordable housing. We are grateful to BMO for their partnership and commitment to supporting First Nations homeownership.
In May, I had the opportunity to participate in the Canadian Credit Union Association’s Affordable Housing Workshop. This session provided an important forum to share the Fund’s experience working with First Nations and lending partners across Canada for nearly two decades. We discussed key findings from recent research, lessons learned from successful housing loan programs, and emerging opportunities to strengthen relationships between First Nations, credit unions, and community-based housing initiatives.
I was also pleased to join housing leaders from across the country at NACCA’s Indigenous Prosperity Forum as part of the panel discussion, “Unlocking Homeownership: Indigenous Housing Solutions.” We explored how Indigenous Financial Institutions, lenders, and housing organizations are working to remove barriers to on-reserve mortgages and create sustainable pathways to homeownership. These conversations are critical as we continue to advance solutions that support economic development, community well-being, and long-term housing sustainability.
Another exciting milestone this quarter was the launch of the Fund’s new podcast series. Through our podcast stream, Unlocking Opportunities, we are creating new ways to share knowledge, highlight success stories, and provide practical information for First Nation housing managers, finance professionals, community leaders, and prospective homeowners. We look forward to growing this platform and continuing to bring important housing conversations directly to our partners and stakeholders.
Looking ahead, our team will be attending the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly from July 14–16. We value the opportunity to connect with First Nations leadership from across the country and to continue conversations about housing solutions that reflect community priorities and aspirations. On July 16, we will also host the Fund’s second Annual General Meeting at the Assembly of First Nations head office. The AGM will coincide with our annual staff gathering, taking place July 13–17, providing an opportunity for our team to come together, reflect on our progress, and align on the work ahead.
Thank you for your continued trust and collaboration. We encourage you to stay connected. Follow us on social media and reach out to our team to learn more about upcoming opportunities and resources.
Sincerely,
Travis Seymour, FCPA, FCGA, MBA, CAFM
CEO, First Nations Market Housing Fund