Building and nurturing relationships with our neighbours is a significant investment that can yield long-lasting results. Collaborating on responsibilities, trading goods and services, gifting in times of surplus, advocating on shared interests or just spending time together can reduce some labour and foster broader understandings and an improved sense of wellbeing.
The First Nations Market Housing Fund (the Fund) believes in the power of people and connection in achieving First Nation prosperity through homeownership. Following the 2024 blog about the power of networking for First Nations communities, this blog encourages First Nations leadership, administrators, organizations, homeowners and potential homeowners to reach out to Fund staff about engagement opportunities.
Paths to engaging with the Fund
The Fund focuses on serving First Nations clients and individuals with homes on reserve or looking to own a home on reserve. The Fund engages with organizations with related mandates to achieve mutual goals.
The cooperative effort with Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council (NmTC) is a fantastic example of how organizational partnerships can be leveraged to amplify and improve work on specific projects. Before signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NmTC in 2024, over 325 Nations had accessed NmTC’s Housing Toolkit 3.0. In 2025, their exceptional housing governance and management tool will have an expanded impact; the toolkit will be updated for use by FNMHF frontline staff to assist potential homeowners.
Individuals whose Nations are already FNMHF clients may be eligible for workshops or financial counselling support to help you access a loan to build, purchase, renovate or refinance a home. More information about individual paths to home ownership are on the Fund’s website, as well as stories about how current homeowners are investing in their futures. For example, Ryan Ginnish of Membertou chose higher up-front building costs in exchange for the reduced carbon footprint and energy costs provided by solar energy.
To reach more First Nations and people living on reserve, the Fund posts frequent updates on social media and is advocating for a membership model that would welcome any interested First Nations to join. More communication, transparency, and accountability invite more people to engage with the organization as one that’s built to serve their needs.
Building national networks
As each community has a distinct combination of environmental considerations, historical contexts, cultural practices, and lived realities, learning from or alongside an array of First Nations neighbours helps with planning that responds to those collective needs. A nearby neighbour may share territorial relationships and similar cultural protocols but may not be as susceptible to flooding or have similar economic development initiatives. Sharing experiences helps us know ourselves better, anticipate opportunities and challenges, and explore areas where we can improve and excel.
Clients who work with the Fund are at different points of their journeys to a thriving housing market. Although the Fund’s products are the same, there are unique aspects to how each community has prepared itself for progress or accessed support. Networking with other First Nations and clients is one of the ways to invest in informed planning and inspire momentum.
Networking with other First Nations
Attending events provides natural points of connection on shared interests. Asking a fellow participant if a panel was relevant to their work or which topics they wish to hear more about is an easy way to find common ground. Maybe there’s a question you had that you want to talk about a little more or ask for their opinion on.
Conferences grant permission to simply introduce ourselves to someone new. Some people prefer to talk about the weather or their preferred hot beverage when opening a conversation, while some people are eager to skip the initial small talk. Most people like a compliment about an accessory, the kind way they treat others, an interesting question they asked, or the sound of their voice.
Asking about a project that excites them, what’s going on in their organization or community, or what they’re proud of in the past couple of years lets the other person set the tone. Not all conversations need to be strength-based, but it’s good to offer an opportunity to shine.
If you’re comfortable asking, you could ask for advice on navigating the area, which speakers you shouldn’t miss, or where to find a nourishing meal before explaining more about how you’ll spend your time. Maybe there’s something you’ll want to do together or a suggestion for whom you need to meet.
Not every situation will be smooth, and that doesn’t mean we didn’t do a great job of being friendly and professional. The connections we make also don’t need to be immediately relevant. People are often changing jobs, relocating, and starting new projects. Making introductions and being a connector are important parts of networking. It’s part of building a thriving community.
Networking through the Fund
The Fund can be a guide in finding great networking opportunities. Recognizing sustainable and adequate housing as part of a holistic approach to supporting thriving First Nations communities, FNMHF participates in many events where current and future partners gather to share information, build capacity, and network in the areas of finance, housing, and overall prosperity.
The Fund attended multiple housing conferences, symposiums and roundtables in 2024, as well as events hosted by related First Nations professionals’ associations including the Aboriginal Finance Officer Association of Canada (AFOA), First Nations National Building Officer’s Association (FNNBOA), and First Nations Tax Administrators Association (FNTAA).
Housing events launched the 2025 event calendar
Fund leadership and staff had a packed February calendar, attending two of the organization’s must-attend events almost back-to-back.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) hosted a leading national housing conference in February, welcoming FNMHF Director of Programs and Services, Kelly Bitternose, to co-present the Strategic Planning for Housing workshop on day one. On day two of the three-day AFN National Housing & Infrastructure Conference, FNMHF CEO Travis Seymour participated in the Financing of Housing panel with Chief Lance Haymond of Yänonhchia’ Housing Finance, who also presented a keynote address on opening day.
From Calgary to Halifax for the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association (AFOA) National Conference from February 25th to 27th, the FNMHF CEO led a session on Leadership & Governance: Empowering Future Generations Through On-Reserve Homeownership. In sharing how creating homeownership opportunities on reserve strengthens communities and supports long-term sustainability, he also covered some of the Fund’s reforms to reach those objectives better.
Visit with the Fund at next year’s conference, to be held at the Palais des congrès in Montreal from February 10th to 12th, 2026. The Fund is also an annual attendee at the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA) National Conference, which hosted its 12th edition at the beginning of April.
Where to meet the Fund
The Fund embraces many opportunities to share our mission, connect with new professionals, and participate in insightful panel discussions. Although attending key events like national housing conferences is standard, capacity demands that the Fund shuffle its event calendar to support a breadth of partners, supporters, and communities.
The Fund will return to the Waasnode Housing Conference June 3rd to 4th, 2025, in Sudbury, joining over 150 from across 20 First Nations in knowledge-sharing, innovation, and community-building. You can also connect with the Fund at the AFN Annual General Assembly from July 15th to 17th, 2025, in Treaty No. 1 territory in Winnipeg. As always, this promises to be a busy national event and a great place to network with other First Nations communities and organizations.
First and next steps with the Fund
FNMHF staff looks forward to meeting you in person, answering your questions, and learning more about your needs.
If your Nation is already working with the Fund, hear about opportunities available to Band members on your reserve. Learning about the Fund’s benefits can also help you advocate for your Band to review the criteria for working with the Fund and focus on meeting those financial and governance goals.
As Nations and organizations, paths forward may include community engagement strategies, shared projects and initiatives, or evolving information-sharing mechanisms.
Meet the neighbours driven to support your community at one of the many events listed on the Fund’s event calendar.