7th Annual Conference
on First Nations Housing & Infrastructure WEST
April 30 – May 1, 2025 • Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, Vancouver, BC
Managing complex housing challenges and building sustainable, community-driven solutions for Indigenous communities
Learn directly from industry experts, including:
Cliff Grant Director, Strategic Innovation FRAFCA
Richard Hall Housing Specialist Bella Coola
Patricia McCourt Regional Program Development Advisor with Community Infrastructure Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Community Infrastructure – BC Region
Plus! Network and benchmark with participating organizations:
» Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
» Skwah (Sqwá) First Nation
» Frog Lake First Nations
» BC Institute of Technology (BCIT)
» Xeni Gwet'in First Nations Government
» Bella Coola
» Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA)
» Indigenous Clean Energy
» Musqueam Indian Band
» K’atl’odeeche First Nation
» Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Community Infrastructure – BC Region
» Statistics Canada
» Public Works & Housing
» Peer2Peer Indigenous Society
» Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario
» Tsawwassen First Nation
» Northern Alberta Nation
» Pasqua First Nation
Celeste Hayward Director of Operations Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) And more!
ENHANCE your experience with our interactive pre-conference workshops:
WORKSHOP A Your Complete Guide to Asset Management: Funding, Developing, Managing, Maximizing and Protecting Housing Assets
WORKSHOP B Housing Manager Bootcamp: Everything You Need to Know from Day-to-Day Operations to Funding Applications to Succession Planning
First Nations communities are driving forward resilient, sustainable growth despite financial barriers.
With rising housing demands, evolving regulatory frameworks, and increasing opportunities for Indigenous-led infrastructure development, now is a pivotal moment to take action. This event brings together key leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to tackle pressing challenges, share innovative solutions, and secure the resources needed to build strong, self-sustaining communities.
Join the Canadian Institute’s 7th Annual Conference on First Nations Housing & Infrastructure West, in Vancouver, BC, April 30 – May 1, 2025, to unlock the practical knowledge of our expert faculty, uncover actionable strategies, and navigate the pathways to critical funding opportunities.
2025 CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
• Empowering Indigenous Youth & Preventing Homelessness
• Unlocking Funding for Indigenous Housing & Infrastructure
• Smart Housing Solutions for Indigenous Communities
Who You Will Meet
Network and establish meaningful relationships with peers in the following job functions:
ĉ Chief and Council
ĉ Housing
ĉ Economic Development
ĉ Finance
ĉ Capital and Infrastructure Administration
ĉ Lands and Resources
ĉ Public Works
ĉ Indigenous Markets Financing
ĉ Business Development
• Strategic Networking for Lasting Impact
• Archaeology & Indigenous Land Stewardship
• Stronger Housing Policies for Sustainable Communities
From:
ĉ First Nations Communities
ĉ Indigenous Economic Development Corporations
ĉ Construction and Engineering Firms
ĉ Government
ĉ Banks, Financial Institutions, and Investment Firms
ĉ Water and Wastewater Services
ĉ Architectural Firms and Consultants
I really enjoyed all the information shared. Now I will go to my community and give feedback and info to the public. Thank you!
Executive Director, K’asho Got’ine Housing Society
Esteemed Faculty
CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS:
Richard Hall
Housing Specialist Bella Coola
Cliff Grant Director, Strategic Innovation FRAFCA
DISTINGUISHED FACULTY:
Paul Andrew
Seabird Member and Councillor, and the Strategic Initiatives Director Sts’ailes
Laura Arevalo
Wellness Support Manager
Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
Taylor Baker
Executive Councilor Tsawwassen First Nation
George Berry Founder Berry + Architecture Associates
Rhonda Brown Housing Manager Skwah (Sqwá) First Nation
Cliffton Cross Council Member Frog Lake First Nations
Montek Gharial Research Associate BC Institute of Technology (BCIT)
Chelsey Greer Director of Programs and Services FRAFCA
Alec Guerin Councillor Musqueam Indian Band
Edmund Haines
Housing Manager
Xeni Gwet'in First Nations Government
Richard Hall
Housing Specialist Bella Coola
Celeste Hayward Director of Operations
Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA)
Lenny Kishi
Housing Accountant Musqueam Indian Band
Maggie Kontonis Manager, Infrastructure & Capital Projects MNP
Patricia McCourt
Regional Program Development Advisor with Community Infrastructure
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Community Infrastructure – BC Region
Alexandria Melvin Indigenous Liaison Advisor Statistics Canada
Kevin Mitchell Director Public Works & Housing
Karen Mills
Co-founder and Lead Coordinator
Peer2Peer Indigenous Society
Olaf Nielsen
CFBC Project Coordinator
Construction Foundation of BC
Gary Pritchard
Conservation Ecologist & Indigenous Engagement/ Placemaking Specialist
Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario
Rajan Sandhu
Housing Planner Tsawwassen First Nation
Darryel Sowan Director of Lands Northern Alberta Nation
Caroleen Stevenson
Housing Manager Pasqua First Nation
Bailey Waukey
Youth Policy Analyst AHMA
Crystal Wilson
Housing and Homelessness Manager
Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS: April 29, 2025
WORKSHOP A 9:00 am – 12:30 pm (Registration opens at 8:30 am)
Your Complete Guide to Asset Management: Funding, Developing, Managing, Maximizing and Protecting Housing Assets
This workshop is designed for community land managers and housing managers. Attendees will learn how to fund and finance the development of new housing assets, and how to reduce the cost of managing, optimize the benefits of, and protect from risks, existing housing assets. Delegates will receive template agreements at the end of the presentation. Topics to be covered will include:
• Sourcing available funding streams for housing development
• Examining types of financing for housing
• Brainstorming different types of land interests for housing, on and off reserve
• Reducing the time and cost of managing routine housing related agreements
• Mitigating employment liabilities
Cross Council Member Frog Lake First Nations
Cliff Grant Director, Strategic Innovation FRAFCA
• Examining other liabilities in operating housing assets (civil, program liability, Nation politics etc.)
• Adopting FNCIDA and residential tenancy
• Setting up a housing society and the benefits of the same
WORKSHOP B 1:30 pm –
• Examining the database and training tools that will make you more confidant in your role
Part Two: GROUNDING Your Role and BUILDING the Housing Department
• Identifying how a housing manager can build, train and retain a team
• Sticking to the departmental budget and understanding where the funding comes from
• Educating members and tenants on housing department policies and expectations for general upkeep
• Maintaining cultural appreciation while being assertive and effective in your role
• Interacting effectively with other departments
• Implementing positive coping mechanisms and healthy habits to mitigate stress
Chelsey Greer Director of Programs and Services FRAFCA
Crystal Wilson
Housing and Homelessness Manager
Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
• Analyzing how to ease the workload by developing strategies and creating boundaries within the housing role
Part Three: WHAT IS THIS DOCUMENT FOR? Document Dissection: Clarifying and Applying Useful Paperwork
• Analyzing and understanding the various types of documents
• Drafting and organizing a document system that will make being a housing manager much more manageable and alleviate some of the stresses
Part Four: GUTS ON CONTRACTS Navigating a Contract and Ensuring You Never Feel Mislead Again
• Analyzing CCDC contracts for contractors including design builds, construction management, open build and cost plots
• Examining contracts format and standard language
• Calculating the ins and outs of consulting fees
Cliffton
DAY ONE: April 30, 2025
7:30 Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:25 Traditional Welcome
Alec Guerin Councillor
Musqueam Indian Band
8:35 Opening Remarks from the Co-Chairs
Richard Hall
Housing Specialist
Bella Coola
Setting the Stage for Innovation in Housing
Cliff Grant Director, Strategic Innovation FRAFCA
8:45 Integrating Traditional Knowledge into Housing Solutions
Gary Pritchard
Conservation Ecologist & Indigenous Engagement/Placemaking Specialist
Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario
9:30 Addressing Critical Housing Needs with Actionable Solutions
Gain insights directly from Tsawwassen First Nation Housing Staff and an Executive Councillor as they tackle critical housing challenges, including escalating construction costs, land availability, access to services, and rental availability.
This engaging discussion will delve into practical solutions and strategies aimed at achieving significant advancements in Indigenous housing. Key discussion points will be:
• Identifying crucial elements for developing safe, stable, affordable, and resilient housing
• An examination of TFN’s inaugural turn-key development model—its successes and lessons learned
Taylor Baker
Executive Councilor
Tsawwassen First Nation
Rajan Sandhu
Housing Planner Tsawwassen First Nation
• Enhancing community-driven efforts in conjunction with TFN’s Comprehensive Housing Strategy to facilitate the return of TFN Members
10:30 Morning Wellness and Networking Break
Advancing Sustainable Development Through Cultural Knowledge and Innovation
11:00 Building the Future of Indigenous Housing with Innovative, Community-Driven Solutions
This session explores adaptable, affordable housing solutions that address regional climate challenges like moisture and wind-driven weather. It features passive air movement strategies for heating and ventilation, along with educational materials, training programs, and an application process for new construction and renovations. In collaboration with four BC building inspectors, the program also develops a retrofit framework focused on affordability and energy efficiency.
Richard Hall
Housing Specialist
Bella Coola
Olaf Nielsen
CFBC Project Coordinator
Construction Foundation of BC
11:45 Uncovering the Past to Shape the Future: The Growing Impact of Archaeology in First Nations Projects
This session considers the transformative role of archaeology in shaping First Nations land use, resource management, and infrastructure projects, as reconciliation efforts drive its integration. Hear directly from industry, government, and legal experts on how archaeology influences development and foster collaboration. Topics of discussion will include:
• Exploring how archaeology informs land use and resource development through UNDRIP and reconciliation efforts
• Understanding archaeology’s growing role in collaborative projects between First Nations and industry
• Examining the Blueberry decision and its impact on improving consultation practices and First Nations' involvement in archaeological processes
12:30 Networking Luncheon
1:30 Keynote with Indigenous Services Canada
2:00
Paul Andrew Seabird Member and Councillor, and the Strategic Initiatives Director Sts’ailes
Darryel Sowan Director of Lands Northern Alberta Nation
Uncovering and Leveraging Funding Streams to Drive Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Forward
With First Nations representing the fastest-growing demographic in Canada, the housing crisis on reserves is approaching critical levels. An estimated $30 billion is required to address backlogs in repairs and upgrades, yet funding for new builds remains insufficient. This session explores strategies to overcome funding roadblocks, maximize resources, and access innovative financing solutions for housing and infrastructure development. Topics of discussion will include:
Navigating Housing Funding Challenges
• Developing strategies to maximize existing funding for housing needs
• Overcoming barriers to identify and secure new funding opportunities Infrastructure Financing Solutions
Richard Hall Housing Specialist Bella Coola
Maggie Kontonis Manager, Infrastructure & Capital Projects MNP
• Understanding certification requirements to access long-term, fixed-rate financing through the First Nations Finance Authority
• Exploring options to borrow from the global bond market for financing infrastructure over its lifespan
2:30 Building
Stronger Housing Departments with Effective Policies for Rent Collection, Maintenance, and Long-Term Sustainability
Establishing clear, enforceable policies is necessary for maintaining safe, sustainable, and well-managed communities. This session will provide key insights on refining housing processes, upgrading policies to meet evolving needs, and implementing best practices for rent collection, maintenance, and long-term asset management. Topics of discussion include:
• Identifying lessons learned from the last few years and any changes to your housing processes
• Determining what needs to be reviewed and upgraded to better reflect your community’s current
• Managing housing portfolios effectively through best practices
» Developing and implementing robust policies for rent collection and maintenance
Rhonda Brown
Housing Manager Skwah (Sqwá) First Nation
Caroleen Stevenson
Housing Manager Pasqua First Nation
3:15 Wellness and Networking Break
3:30
Building
Capacity: Hiring and Training Contractors in Resource-Limited Communities
This session focuses on strategies for hiring and training contractors in communities with limited access to skilled labour, especially in post-disaster recovery. With high demand for housing repair and construction, learn how to overcome shortages by developing a local workforce and creating training programs to meet specific housing needs. Topics of discussion will include:
• Hiring contractors in high-demand areas and attracting skilled labor in resource-limited communities
• Training local workforce to build capacity and address housing needs
• Overcoming shortages with practical solutions for managing housing projects with limited contractor pools
Edmund Haines Housing Manager
Xeni Gwet'in 1st Nations Gov't
Kevin Mitchell Director Public Works & Housing
4:30 Closing Remarks End of Day One
I enjoyed the event because there were various people with different backgrounds— contractors, business owners, housing managers, infrastructure etc.
Housing Administrator, Malahat Nation
I spoke with a number of other bands, who are all facing housing challenges. I appreciate the different ways people are going about trying to solve the housing issue.
Director of Finance, Hiyam Housing Society
Global Sponsorship Opportunities
With conferences in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe, the C5 Group of Companies: American Conference Institute, Canadian Institute, and C5 Group, provides a diverse portfolio of conferences, events and roundtables devoted to providing business intelligence to senior decision makers responding to challenges around the world.
Don’t miss the opportunity to maximize participation or showcase your organization’s services and talent. For more information please contact us at: SponsorInfo@CanadianInstitute.com
DAY TWO: May 1, 2025
8:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:45 Opening Remarks from Conference Co-Chairs
9:00 Smart Housing Solutions: Breaking Down Barriers to Sustainable, Affordable, and Culturally Aligned Indigenous Communities
This session explores innovative approaches to designing energy-efficient, cost-effective, and culturally frounded housing solutions that meet the unique standards of Indigenous communities . Session leaders will address key challenges such as lack of support for Indigenous trades, high housing costs stemming from government policies, and the need for better building science education and energy-efficient retrofit standards. Participants will learn about the latest updates to the housing booklet released in October 2023, including retrofit standards and educational videos designed to connect generations around housing development.
Topics of discussion will include:
• Building Trades Capacity by overcoming funding gaps to support Indigenous trades
• Reducing Housing Costs by Addressing government policies that drive up housing prices
• Implementing clear targets and tools for energy-efficient homes
• Promoting building science and retrofit programs for Indigenous trades
• Minimizing construction costs by utilizing local materials
• Reducing the carbon footprint in housing projects through sustainable practices
Cliffton Cross Council Member, Frog Lake First Nations
Stan Knight Owner Inspector in a Box
George Berry Founder Berry + Architecture Associates
MODERATOR:
Richard Hall
Housing Specialist Bella Coola
10:00 Interactive Networking 101: Forging Powerful Connections to Drive Real Change
This high-energy session is designed to help housing professionals building meaningful relationships, expand their networks, and collaborate on innovative solutoins. Through a dynamic mix of rapid networking techniques, targeted discussions, and interactive exercises, participants will gain the skill and confidence to connect, exchange, and develop partnerships that drive lasting change.
Quick Networking Essentials:
• Master key strategies to initiate conversations confidently
• Leverage your network for career growth, funding opportunities, and collaboration
Targeted Networking Exercise:
Gary Pritchard
Conservation Ecologist & Indigenous Engagement/Placemaking Specialist Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario
• Break into small groups based on specific housing focus (e.g., funding, design, community engagement)
• Discuss pressing challenges and co-develop solutions
• Identify new partnership opportunities and exchange contacts
Speed Networking Rounds:
• Engage in rapid 2-minute introductions to maximize connections
• Share your biggest housing challenges and explore potential solutions with peers
11:15 Building Futures: The Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association’s Innovative Housing Project
Laura Arevalo Wellness Support Manager
Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association
11:45 Keynote with Peer2Peer Indigenous Society
Karen Mills
Co-founder and Lead Coordinator
Peer2Peer Indigenous Society
12:15 Networking Luncheon
1:15 Maximizing Housing Assets: Winning Solutions for Long-Term Community Sustainability
Managing housing assets effectively is key to sustaining and improving First Nations communities. This session dives into the practicalities of understanding your housing portfolio as a financial asset, evaluating its true value, and implementing actionable plans to ensure long-term benefits for your community. Topics of discussion will include:
• Leveraging Housing as a Financial Asset:
» Analyzing the financial impact of housing on community sustainability
» Identifying strategies to use housing assets for generating economic opportunities
• Evaluating and Document Asset Values:
» Conducting detailed assessments of housing assets’ current and replacement values
» Establishing an inventory system for better tracking and valuation of assets
• Implementing a Targeted Action Plan:
» Developing a step-by-step plan to maintain, repair, and upgrade assets
» Prioritizing investments that align with long-term community goals
Lenny Kishi
Housing Accountant Musqueam Indian Band
Montek Gharial Research Associate BC Institute of Technology (BCIT)
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For over 40 years, C5 Group has provided the opportunities that bring together business leaders, professionals and international experts from around the world to learn, meet, network and make the contacts that create the opportunities. Our conferences and related products connect the power of people with the power of information, a powerful combination for business growth and success.
STATISTICS CANADA TELL-ALL
2:00 Empowering Housing Professionals: Utilizing Housing Data for Resilient, Evidence-Based Strategies
This session will showcase how the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) created the Indigenous Youth Housing Strategy (IYHS) in a For Indigenous Youth, By Indigenous Youth (FIYBIY) way. From recruiting five young Indigenous leaders to work alongside us for six months to providing workshops for 102 Indigenous youth participants, the IYHS will provide the sector with an engagement framework to replicate these results in your community. Lastly, we will share our research about the state of Indigenous youth housing in BC and highlight the five FIYBIY housing models created by the IYHS Steering Committee, for which AHMA is working to mobilize funding to pilot in partnership with our membership.
Topics of discussion will include:
• Best practice Indigenous youth housing models
• Indigenous youth engagement framework for housing responses
• Where to begin your organization’s journey in youth housing
• How to mentor young Indigenous housing leaders
Alexandria Melvin Indigenous Liaison Advisor
3:00 Empowering the Next Generation: Strengthening Youth Policy and Preventing Indigenous Youth Homelessness
Bailey Waukey Youth Policy Analyst AHMA
4:00 Closing Remarks End of Conference
Upcoming Events
VENUE INFORMATION
Hilton Vancouver Metrotown 6083 McKay Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia V5H 2W7
Reservations: 1-888-744-5866 or 604-438-1200
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Canadian Institute is pleased to offer our delegates a limited number of hotel rooms at a negotiated rate. To take advantage of these rates, please contact the hotel directly and quote "CI First Nations Housing Western Conference".
Please note that the guest room block cut-off date is March 28, 2025. After that date OR when the room block fills, guestroom availability and rate can no longer be guaranteed.
Register and pay to lock in your early rate and be eligible for a full refund until April 15, 2025 If you are unable to attend for any reason, you will have the following options: y A full credit note for you, or a colleague to attend another event.
y A full refund.
All cancellations and changes must be submitted to