ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA CHIEFS
SECRETARIAT INC.
MANITOBA FIRST
NATIONS
HOUSING FORUM
SUMMARY REPORT
OCTOBER 19TH, 2005
VICTORIA INN
1808
WELLINGTON AVENUE
WINNIPEG, MB
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Opening / Welcoming Remarks…………………………………………………………1
Purpose of Housing Forum……………………………………………………………2-3
AFN Housing Action
Plan……..……………………...................................................4-5
On-Reserve Matrimonial Real Property………………………………………………5-6
Senior Bi-Lateral Process (AFN)..………………………………………………………6
Manitoba First Nations Housing Plan for the First Minister’s
Meeting..………………..7
Break Out Session Notes – Group 1.…………………………………………………..8-9
Break Out Session Notes – Group 2.………………………………………. ……….10-11
Question & Answer Period………………. ………………………………………....11-13
Closing Comments…………………………………………………………………..13-14
AMC FIRST NATIONS HOUSING FORUM
October 19, 2005
Victoria Inn, Winnipeg, MB
- SUMMARY NOTES -
Opening
Prayer – Elder Joe Guy Wood, St. Theresa Point First Nation
Opening
Remarks – Chair Katherine Whitecloud
The purpose of this meeting is to
discuss and determine what First Nations want at the end of the day when it
comes to housing. There are upcoming opportunities, including the November 2005
First Ministers Meeting (FMM), to let government know what we want and need in
the area of housing.
Today, we will hear from a number
of leaders who will provide updates on these opportunities and what First
Nations in Manitoba need to do to
prepare for these opportunities. Chief David Harper is Manitoba First Nation’s
negotiator at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Bilateral Process on Housing,
and Chief Tina Leveque, Chair of the AMC First Nations Women’s Committee and
Co-Chair of the AFN Women’s Council, has been active and vocal in the need to
address the issue of on-reserve matrimonial real property, which relates to
housing.
This process of discussion and
planning with regard to housing, and the issue itself, links with everything
else, as housing and all of these areas are determinants of health. There have
been a series of on-going discussions of First Nations people on these wide
range of issues in July 2005 and then in September 2005 with the Manitoba First
Nations Social Policy Summit.
Today we will contribute to this
on-going process and planning in a significant way, especially as it pertains
to housing. We will be discussing what is the current housing situation in each
of our communities, as well as discuss the important question of what is our
message, in terms of addressing this housing situation, to the First Ministers.
Therefore, today’s meeting is a definite working session, and your
participation and input here and the days following this meeting leading up the
FMM is important, needed, and required.
Welcoming
Remarks – Grand Chief Ron Evans, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Grand Chief thanked Elder Wood
for his prayers, and welcomed all First Nations leaders, technicians and
citizens to this important forum on housing. This is a crucial time, as First
Nations across the country are presented with proposed new funding and
political opportunities to meet our housing needs.
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These opportunities compel
Manitoba First Nations to develop a housing plan that meets our needs and
improves our living conditions in a significant way and contributes to closing
the poverty gap. Furthermore, in a recent meeting with Indian and Northern
Affairs Canada Minister Andy Scott, Mr. Scott recognized the need to avoid a
“one size fits all” housing plan.
The challenge before us in
developing a Manitoba First Nations Housing Plan is to ensure the diversity of
our region and First Nations is captured and respected in this plan. Some plans may be more appropriate for First
Nations with larger populations versus those with smaller populations. Therefore,
the plan needs to be developed by the First Nations because only you know your
community housing situation and the appropriate responses to these situations.
The need to engage every First
Nation in Manitoba is also based
on the lack of housing statistics and information on a regional level. The AMC
attempted to coordinate a Manitoba First Nations housing survey to determine
the situation in the region, but only a handful of First Nations responded.
There is another issue with respect to housing data, the last comprehensive
study undertaken was a number of years ago, and as such, it is outdated and
therefore not useful to provide an accurate assessment of the current
situation.
Now is the time to compile our
information and have discussions on what we want so that we can take forward a
strong plan on behalf of Manitoba First Nations. If this does not happen, we
will lose out. Therefore, at the end of the day, we can feel confident that
what we take forward comes from the community and is responsive to community needs.
Purpose
of Housing Forum – Chief David Harper, Manitoba Negotiator, AFN Senior
Bi-Lateral Housing Process
The purpose of this meeting is to
re-organize ourselves to be able to respond to the housing situations and needs
of our communities and to prepare for upcoming opportunities for change.
His inspiration for addressing
First Nations housing situation is children. There are many children in our
communities who sleep on the floor or the couch because we don’t have enough
and adequate housing. This contributes to poor learning, and the entire
situation leads to crime, family tensions, and other social issues as well as
health issues. There are national housing codes that require adequate space for
the whole family to ensure these social and health issues are avoided; yet,
these national codes do not extend to our families and communities, otherwise
we would not be experiencing issues of overcrowding, homelessness, etc. We
continually remind government this isn’t the way it is supposed to be for First
Nations, and this isn’t the reason why we signed off on the treaties.
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First Nations have been sitting at
various tables regarding housing, but Manitoba First Nations haven’t been at
the forefront. The FMM presents an opportunity for us to be able to discuss
housing and other significant issues with both the provincial and federal
governments. There will also be major announcements and deals coming up at this
and other political developments. For instance, Minister Scott and Fontana
have a $2 million proposition. Jack Layton is proposing $1.6 billion in
affordable housing. Manitoba First Nations, through himself as a regional
negotiator, are a part of the AFN Bilateral Process on Housing.
Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation (CMHC) advisor Mr. Donner is traveling across Canada
seeking input in restructuring CMHC. He came to our meeting in Edmonton
but didn’t mention how he would engage our communities in this process. CMHC is
proposing a restructuring resulting in the creation of an “Aboriginal Housing
Corporation”. Government and First Nations need to decide who is going to be in
charge of this restructuring. When we met with Fontana,
he said he would sit with AMC to discuss this issue. Therefore, it is
imperative that Manitoba First Nations are prepared for these opportunities to
address our housing and other issues.
If we aren’t prepared, we risk
others like the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) making decisions for us.
They too have a seat at the FMM. First Nations leaders have stated that we have
the right to look after our citizens no matter where they live.
Another consideration is the need
for First Nations to address the issue of on-reserve matrimonial real property.
This issue is coming on strong on the national level, and we have to prepare on
how we are going to address this issue.
The purpose of today’s meeting is
to re-organize ourselves to develop an effective housing plan, including how to
access funding to be made available through upcoming announcements. The input
of First Nations communities is central to this plan. However, this input
requires a level of responsibility and willingness on behalf of each First
Nation community to engage and participate in this process. The AMC attempted
to assess the housing situation in the region, but only 22 First Nations
responded. We need all First Nations to respond. We know that about $1 billion
dollars is needed to meet our housing needs, but this is just a rough estimate.
With more precise data, we can be more exact in our requests for funding.
A call for an election is
possible, but this could be a time of opportunity for First Nations to get what
we want. For instance, during the last election, when he was working to
establish a dialysis centre in his home community, many parties came to his
community for support. He took advantage of this situation and got all the
parties to commit to establishing the centre in his community. In the end, his
community got the centre with more beds than anticipated. Therefore, First
Nations should not be worried about a possible election, but if it does happen,
it can be turned into yet another opportunity to get what we want.
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Comments - Chair Katherine Whitecloud
She reiterated Chief Harper’s
point that community information is needed to ensure accurate information and
responses are available for leadership to take forward to upcoming important
political forums.
Assembly
of First Nations Housing Action Plan – Earl Commanda, Assembly of First Nations
Mr. Commanda discussed a draft
“comprehensive housing framework” to enable “First Nations political leadership
to discuss and decide on national priorities affecting First Nations throughout
Canada and
assist in the integration of these priorities on a regional and territorial
basis”.
The current First Nations housing
situation is described as a “crisis” situation with a backlog of 80,000 units,
deplorable conditions, lack of capacity to address housing needs of off-reserve
First Nations citizens, and others.
There have been many forums to
discuss this situation and the appropriate response. There are a number of
fundamental principles that guide this work, such as First Nations
Self-Determination, including jurisdiction, and others.
There are five key considerations
of work in this area, such as addressing housing needs, infrastructure needs,
etc. The objectives of the framework are to develop and review acceptable
models for First Nations to access additional capital, develop approaches
related to finances and investment for the AFN Housing Action Plan, provide
direction for further development and next steps in the FMM process and federal
bilateral track process and others. Areas of focus include communication
strategy, economic development, first nations housing policy, and others.
What has emerged from these
forums include the potential for a First Nations Housing Corporation that has
the ability to operate both on- and off- reserve, and considerations of public
sector policy into benefits to First Nations. This last issue is not without
challenges, such as, policy objectives are not always aligned, capacity gaps in
innovative housing and financing expertise, and others. In an effort to deal
with these challenges, a public sector consortium is proposed, and includes
INAC, CMHC, and other partners. Expected consortium outcomes include for First
Nations, a well-established housing framework. This will facilitate “capacity
building through ongoing investment in efforts that directly benefit
communities.”
The financial element of the framework
was explained in great length and detail, especially options for creating a
financial entity. Discuss of an “indemnity fund” also took place including and
overview of the four options for what the indemnity fund will look like, and
several elements of the fund such as ownership, capitalization, etc.
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Discussion of lending also took
place, including options for what the lending model will
look like.
Housing authority was described
in detail, along with five models which have been researched and identified by
the AFN secretariat for consideration by First Nations. Other elements of the
housing framework were discussed including regional/territorial interface and
support and advisory services.
He discussed the vision of the
First Nations Housing paper and its elements (sustainability, jurisdiction, and
coordination), and sub-elements (sustainable funding, land management, etc.)
The proposed work plan involves elements of assessment, engagement, refinement,
and blending, and is aimed at closing the gap (82,5000 units needed) in ten
years. The process was presented through discussion of an AFN Senior bilateral
negotiations and multilateral FMM process chart.
On-Reserve
Matrimonial Real Property – Chief Tina Leveque, Chair, AMC First Nations
Women’s Council
Chief Leveque explained that the
issue of on-reserve matrimonial real property is where a First Nations woman
living on-reserve does not have legal right to the “matrimonial real property” (MRP)
when a common law or legal marriage breaks down. “Matrimonial real property”
refers the land or anything permanently attached to the land, like the home.
What results is denial of basic
human rights of women and children who are forced to leave the home in this
situation. In turn, this exacerbates the poor housing situation on-reserve,
including increasing demand of housing, adding to overcrowding, or are left
homeless. In the latter situation, women and children are forced to leave the
reserve to seek housing elsewhere, which creates disconnection of family
relationships and culture.
The situation of MRP exists
because provincial laws in this area don’t apply on-reserve because of
exclusive federal jurisdiction over land. Additionally, the Indian Act is
silent on the issue of MRP. Only First Nations under the First Nations Land
Management Act (FNMLA) are required to develop ways to address this situation;
however, Opaskwayak Cree Nation is the only First Nation in Manitoba
that is under the FNLMA. Therefore, there are policy, legal, and legislative
gaps in the area of on-reserve MRP.
This is an issue that all First
Nations should be concerned about, because it is not only a denial of basic
human rights for women and children, but also an issue of governance and
political oppression for First Nations. First Nations must have the authority
and jurisdiction in the areas of land management and housing to develop,
implement, and enforce our own laws this area in an effective, fair, equitable
way that includes the best interest of the child as priority. In her community
of Brokenhead, their practice is to give possession of the home to that person
who is looking after the children.
- 5 -
Chief Leveque stated that it is
very important to see the linkages between this issue and housing and health
through family violence, and to other issues like Bill C-31. This latter issue
is where First Nations are being depopulated. If there are no more First
Nations people left, or recognized by the government as First Nations, our
budgets and claims for housing and other basic needs as well as treaty claims,
will be moot. It is important to see the interconnection of all these issues.
The First Nations Women’s Council
recommends addressing the issue of MRP in the following ways: (i) a “sunset
clause” is an essential component to the proposed application of provincial
laws as an interim measure; (ii) First Nations have the authority to develop,
implement, and enforce our own laws in this area, which includes adequate human
and financial resources; and (iii) requires coordination of First Nations land
management regimes and housing policies and programs as all are linked to “real
property”. Additionally, this issue and
recommendations must be integrated into both the Manitoba First Nations and
Assembly of First Nations housing strategies.
The opportunities for redress are
the same opportunities available for advancement in the area of First Nations
housing – the AMC Housing Forum (October 2005) – to assess the scope of this
problem and to identify ways to address; the AFN Housing Strategy – add
resolution to the issue within the context of the “land management” element of
the strategy; the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly in Regina (October – November
2005) – formulate points for discussion at the FMM as well as recommendations to
resolve; and the FMM, where we can lay the foundation for the process to
resolve. She added that she has already taken advantage of associated meetings
with government officials, such as one with B.C Premier and Chair of the FMM, Campbell.
Chief Leveque ended the
presentation by posing the following questions to the forum: (i) what was your
understanding of this issue prior to this presentation; (ii) is this an issue
in your community; (iii) how is this
issue being addressed in your community; (iv) how do you think it should be
addressed in your community? Regionally? Nationally?
Senior
Bi-Lateral Process – Earl Commanda, AFN
The Senior Negotiation table has
the mandate for a First Nations-Federal Government Bi-Lateral process on
housing adopted through resolution at a 2005 AFN AGA. The elements this process
include: First Nations authority framework; accelerated and maintained capacity
development; crisis intervention; transfer of control and authority; increased
funding.
The next steps of this negotiation
table are to proceed based Accord, with Government identify its senior
negotiator; formal presentation to Chiefs Committee on Housing and
Infrastructure and AFN Executive; presentation to communities (outstanding);
communications/outreach for the table to the regions (3 meetings per region),
etc. Another major next step is to revise the First Nations Housing Action plan
in preparation
- 6 -
for the FMM, including
highlighting situation as a crisis, define recommended action, determine
timelines, etc. The timeframe of this table were also highlighted within the
context of the AFN Senior Bi Lateral Negotiations-Multilateral FMM Process
Chart presented earlier in the morning.
Manitoba
First Nations Housing Plan for the First Minister’s Meeting – Chief Harper
Chief Harper stated that Manitoba
First Nations haven’t had a steady increase in housing since the 1980s. Last
Spring he and other First Nations leaders met with senators, Manitoba MPs, and
the Aboriginal Liberal Caucus on the issue of housing. These meetings included
sharing the Manitoba First Nations housing needs and lobbying for the $295
million funding as a result of Bill C-48.
He and others have even taken
this issue to the international arena when they went to Israel
and met with Benai Biirth, a human rights group. They shared that First Nations
rank 78th on the United Nations Human Development Index while Canada
ranks 4th. This in addition to a video commissioned by MKO entitled,
“Wrapped in Plastic” on the housing situation of northern Manitoba First
Nations educated the Israelians on the real situation of our population. They
were very surprised to know that we live in this situation although we are
“Canadians”.
Our housing situation in Manitoba
and across Canada
is a crisis, and it is important it be understood as such. Through the FMM and
others, we will go through a 10-year period of recovery from poverty. We will
be meeting with Fontana next week
or the week after. We need to be ready for this meeting and others. Therefore,
we need to determine if CMHC gives jurisdiction over housing to First Nations,
are we ready, what will we have in place? How do we respond to the Donner
report? We need to consider our housing concerns, for instance, First Nations
in 3rd party management didn’t qualify for the $50 million that was
allocated – how do we make sure this doesn’t happen? We estimate that $1 billion is needed to
address our housing needs, but we know this isn’t accurate; and so, we need to
generate accurate statistics. We know that we can demonstrate our overcrowding
situation by sharing our density ratio, which is 7.9 versus the rest of the
population at 2.7. Therefore, it is very important for First Nations to forward
your information and statistics to AMC, so that we can take it to the next
level.
There are other linkages that we
have to recognize and consider in these upcoming developments. The issue of
on-reserve matrimonial real property needs to be brought to the forefront, as
this issue relates to homelessness. We have to consider how suicide, crime, and
other social problems are a result of lack of space, and in essence, housing.
Comments - Chair Katherine
Whitecloud
Ms. Whitecloud questioned when
was the last time that a document was forwarded to
- 7 -
government on the issue of the
First Nations housing situation. Larry Soldier, AMC Housing Policy Analyst,
responded that it was through RCAP, which was nine years ago. The Chair stated
that we know that our population has grown- about 15% and nine years of growth
unaccounted for, so we need to substantiate our housing situations and needs,
which is what we will take forward. First Nations need to take responsibility
in providing the information we need to get things done. This is the purpose of
our break out groups.
Break Out Group Discussions
Group One – Facilitator: Seeta Roccola
- What is the current housing situation in Manitoba
First Nations?
- All
communities have issues that are different by community, ie: location,,
number of houses, population, Northern Flood Agreement – land base, CMHC
- Limited
land base
- Infrastructure
$
- Getting
to land
- Non
compliance for rent
- Elders - treaty right – elderly housing
problems and payment
- Lack
of policies & procedures in the housing
- Housing
directors, managers, councilors, are over whelmed with workload, issues
and new programs
- No
infrastructure dollars to build, some communities are looking at apt
complexes – can be difficult for the community members, could be a shock
- Community
understanding, current programs
- Lack
of policies & procedures
- Mold
- Different
data bases – different info collected
- Should
be based on total
- Homelessness
- Allocation
of housing within community
- Housing
policy
- MRP
- Urban
native program
- Off-reserve
- 1975
grant for off-reserve – community policy
- People
to collect data
- Housing
policy – surviving political interference/life
- Succession/councillor
and staff turnover – need continuity
- Population
on reserve affected by housing
- 8 -
- New
program CMHC limitation - $75000
(underfunded)
- Shelter
allowance – fulfill obligations, same as off-reserve policies –
allocation for emergency repairs/maintenance
- Emergency
funds lost
- Current
CMHC programs are not meeting FN needs
- CMHC
housing – give up land
- CP’s
turn over to common band land
- Programs
have too many rules
- Treaty
right to housing
- Reliance
on government funding
- INAC
& CMHC funding allocation should go directly to community – get rid
of INAC & CMHC
- Infrastructure
dollars do not match the number of houses
- Infrastructure
- $25000
- Current
infrastructure future vs immediate
- Maintain
existing
- Septic
system
- Lack
of trades people available in or around community
- Lack
of time to make housing policies a reality – information to the
people/time to adjust to change – need the time and resources
- Funding
– everything lumped together in capital - emergency, staffing, roads,
infrastructure, maintenance,
- No
extra funding as the population grows
- Proposals
are not approved – rules are constantly changed
- Fixed
budget for programs – easy to get into a deficit
- Lobby
for more teacher houses– should be INAC responsibility to provide these
accommodations – instead of capital funds
- What are you doing about the current situation?
- Following
other agendas, (based on the funding we receive) – CMHC/INAC/H.C. etc
- Developing
a comprehensive community planning – hard to implement
- Operating
as a “business”
- Selling
current houses so homeowners can maintain it themselves – revolving
funding for mtce
- SA -
home purchase (block funding)
- What do you need to correct the situation?
- Continue
to lobby
- Taking
the worse house to Ottawa and
let the members of parliament Minister for one month) to live in it or invite Housing Minister to live in
the northern community for one month
- 9 -
- Get
rid of INAC & CMHC and develop our own program and policies
- Prepare
ourselves to make all the hard/heavy decisions, take care of the
political issues and have control and be responsible for all
- Give
the data base to those who do not have –- should be the same data base
for all
- Funding(?)
who will fund info gathering?
- Complete
CHP in order to access
- Gather
information and provide to AMC for lobbying
- Develop
Housing Authorities and support them
- Supply
professional development for council & staff
- Educate
the community
- Continue
exploring other opportunities and options and get away from following
INAC & CMHC – NFA trust fund to assist in housing
- Use
government funding as resource to support our existing community based
developed programs
Group Two – Facilitator: Glen Sanderson
- What is the current housing situation in Manitoba
First Nations?
Backlog
·
Proper database to identify what the real
situation is.
·
Who do you identify to your data?
·
Using national occupancy standards.
·
Standards – 18+
·
400 units at OCN.
·
Comprehensive community planning.
·
Current stats.
·
Go to INAC for community development funds.
·
No data bank/base in the community.
·
120 names of 400 citizens (Brokenhead) – 20-25%.
·
Elderly, disabled – need to identify.
·
Non-band members add to problem.
·
Waiting lists must be part of data.
·
Can the province be part of the housing solution?
Third Party
·
INAC lose control.
·
MB currently based on last year financial
statements 37 qualify for MLG.
·
What capacity needs to happen to increase the
number of FN’s who will qualify for a MLG.
Debit Load
·
$1.7
billion mortgage loans.
·
Get out of being a guarantor.
Database
·
Covered under backlog section.
- 10 -
Infrastructure
·
Roads/water-sewer/hydro/lagoon.
·
Need to repair (old).
·
Lack of resources.
Housing Plans
·
Transition housing.
***NOTE-RECOMMENDATIONS***
·
Participants suggested the need to go back to
communities – review the situation according to questions/survey. Send in information ASAP to Larry Soldier for
assisting Chief David Harper in preparation for the upcoming FMM in
November/05.
·
Standard form developed – 10 year multi-plan –
guidelines so there would be consistency and to distribute ASAP to AMC/Tribal
Councils as well as the communities.
This would also help Chief Harper in preparing for FMM.
- What are you doing about the current situation?
·
Backlog – numbers being submitted.
·
Third Party – INAC- proposing risk management
assessment model.
·
Debt Load –
·
Database –
gathering information (AMC)
·
Infrastructure –
·
Housing Plans - Off-reserve housing, anything
being done?
·
We are not doing anything; we continue to accept
the federal policy.
- What do you need to correct the situation?
- Questions
b) and c) answered under question a).
Questions and
Answers
- Is there a
plan B or C if the First Ministers don’t accept the plan we develop and
present at the FMM?
Mr. Commanda responded that it isn’t a question of what the FMM will
decide but the Cabinet. If we didn’t have the $295 million, we would still have
the $125 million per year that First Nations get. Although this is a
multilateral process, it is bilateral with respect to First Nations infrastructure.
$1.6 billion and $700 million for health has already been approved, and so, the
question is when are they going to release these funds? An important
consideration expected to trigger the flow of money is the surplus which will
be announced at the end of the year. Government is saying a surplus of 2
billion is required to fund these initiatives. However, an election might be
called before anything is concrete.
- 11 -
We are banking on the $500 million, which has already approved by Cabinet,
and so, if nothing else gets added, at least this First Nations will have this
$500 million. Some might question, is there a possibility of leveraging this?
This leads to a discussion around partnerships.
Our message continues to be the immediate need to address the First
Nations housing crisis. We are hoping something will come out of Cabinet to
this end. The Cabinet note will finalized by the FMM.
It would be great if First Nations get $1 billion per year. Maybe we have
too high of expectations. The Chiefs have said social housing is the priority,
and that is the message we are giving to government.
Chief Alfred Everette, Berens River First Nation, stated his concern with
the whole process. A few months ago, when the $295 million was announced, and
Mary Blais [Regional
Director General, Manitoba INAC] said $50 million was to come to Manitoba, we were told that funding was strictly for
home ownership and not social housing. Our concern was that bands in 3rd
party weren’t eligible for this funding.
We were assured that social housing would be addressed in the Layton funding proposal, but he doesn’t get that
impression here today. It seems a decision has already been made on market-based
housing and home ownership housing and that social housing isn’t seem to be a
priority.
In his community of Berens River First Nations, social housing is needed.
Other Chiefs have heard him say his band is a “have not band”. His First Nation
doesn’t have TLE, no gaming money, etc. Other communities that do get can rely
on these and other sources. If the new money goes the direction he thinks it
will, many communities in this region will be left out. There is too much
emphasis on loans and mortgages, and when that happens, in essence, the
government gets off the hook.
There is only one sentence in this [AFN] report that recognizes housing
is a treaty right. He doesn’t know if AFN is giving up on this, but this should
be the primary issue. He doesn’t get the feeling that that principle is being
recognized and respected by our own people. He doesn’t think the aboriginal
housing corporation is the answer. That shouldn’t be an option. If First
Nations are going to restructure departments, they should be forgiving First
Nation debt. His First Nation reached a point where it couldn’t borrow another
penny for housing, because it was so indebt.
The answer is not in creating a big super structure. The answer is to
give the communities the resources to do it our own way, because we have the
answers. It has got to be done at the community level. Market-based housing isn’t
going to work, including in Berens River. It may work in a couple of reserves, but in
about 95% of the First Nations in Manitoba, it won’t work. We will be asking
individuals to take on the burden, and that won’t work. If we are going to
restructure, we have to take a look at what is going to work in our individual
community.
- 12 -
Mr. Commanda responded he came to a meeting here in June 2005, where it
was stated that all of this money [$295 million] was for home ownership, and he
wondered why the Chiefs were upset with that. The current proposed way is
different way. The AFN was not part of how it was rolled out. Government came
to the AFN at the last moment and asked for an allocation formula.
The message he is hearing is that it needs to be different this time
around. However, at the same time, this new approach, we know that the bulk of
this money has to be for social housing. When we are taking a look at the number
of units this would be like what First Nations are getting with capital funding,
but with a new formula. We haven’t developed this new formula yet, but it will
include factors like northern building costs.
When we talk about social housing, we also have to ask why province
hasn’t done more, when the responsibility for social rests with them. We cannot
survive on the $250 or $125 million per year. It is a priority to double,
triple the amount of housing funding. All the of Layton deal money should be for social housing. All
we were trying to project is how will we spend a billion a year for ten years.
(He again referred to “the ten year challenge” chart.)
When we talk about data collection, we need to discus how this breakdown
will meet First Nations needs. First Nations need to do this, determine our need,
instead of the government, like what was previously done. He will take Chief
Everette’s message back to the AFN.
The Chair stated Chief Everette’s opinions were shared with her by
another Chief. Given the economic and demographics of our communities- when we
have 80-85% on social assistance, how is it possible to have home ownership?
This brings up concerns of debt load and paying mortgages, which in turn
contribute to social problems. That was the purpose of this forum - the answers
are within our own communities. These are the type of things that need to be
brought into the discussion.
Closing Comments – Chief
Harper
The Donner report has been passed out to the Forum participants. Chief Everette’s
concern was also raised by Chief Mercredi. Our concerns are that Mr. Donner is
changing whole CMHC structure, and if you are going to go to a new system,
there has to be forgiveness of debts First Nations had with CMHC; yet there has
been no discussion of this.
Housing is a treaty right, but never once was this mentioned in this
report. A rural and urban housing corporation is unacceptable to us, but we
have heard this has changed. What further concerns him is that Mr. Donner has
the ear of the Minister. Mr. Donner was not comfortable when he left our meeting
in Edmonton. This is an area we need to work on. He
needs the help of Manitoba First Nations. There have been some challenges
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with the AMC housing secretariat the past couple of years with changes in
staff.
He needs the information if he is going to the Minister and Cabinet.
Technical information is extremely important to addressing our housing issues.
We have to prepare now, including deciding on where we want to go.
He is confident an election will be called, and so we have to ensure our
needs are addressed at the election forefront. There will be an aboriginal
agenda, but let’s have our own agenda. It doesn’t matter which party it is, let’s
get ready. We set the agenda in our homes, and so when they come to our doors,
then there is the agenda and it is the same, they have no way of backing down.
Let’s get a candidates forum, and let them agree to what we want. This is what
we are going for, and that is the road we are staying on.
He thanked the participants for attending this forum, and encouraged them
to keep the information flowing from the communities. In turn, he will ensure
the information flowing from the national and regional levels get back to the
communities. This forum has been very helpful in achieving this information
flow.
The Chair stated it is incumbent for our leaders to report back to us.
There is an Assembly [AMC] in January. Expect the report from this meeting is
sent to the communities, as well as reports from other meetings before then.
Closing
Prayer – Elder Joe Guy Wood, St. Theresa Point First Nation
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