MOVING HOUSING AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
TECHNICAL WORKING GROUPS
The National TECHNICAL WORKING
GROUP

The Chiefs Committee on Housing and Infrastructure

Consisting of 10 Chiefs appointed by their Regional Chief

Portfolio Holder on Housing and Infrastructure

Terms of Reference

2 Technical committees for housing and for water/infrastructure

Face to face meetings and teleconferences

Advocate on broad national issues.
Examples of Regional Institutions
Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation

1989-1995: Chiefs of Ontario negotiates with Indian and Northern Affairs
Canada in response to plans for devolution.

Work begins to transfer responsibilities from the Indian Inspection Unit to
Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC).

1995: In February of 95, Chiefs of Ontario passes a resolution to cease
operations of the Indian Inspector Unit and OFNTSC is officially incorporated
as a non-profit corporation, thereby becoming the first organization of its
kind serving First Nations in Canada.
Examples of Regional Institutions
Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation

The OFNTSC is a technical advisory service for Tribal Councils and Ontario First Nations. The OFNTSC provides a number of
services in relation to the needs of communities. The services can be broken down into these service areas:

Engineering

Water/Wastewater

Fuel Systems Management

Emergency Management

Environment

Fire and Safety

Housing

Infrastructure

Operations and Maintenance

Communications
Offices – Toronto and Thunder Bay, Head Office – Mississaugas of New Credit
www.ofntsc.org
First Nations Technical Services Advisory
Group Inc.(TSAG)

TSAG’s history began in 1996 to develop, build and deliver core technical services
to First Nation Communities in Alberta. On November 19, 1996 TSAG received its
mandate from the Chiefs of Alberta at the Chiefs Summit V.

TSAG is an organization created by the Chiefs of Alberta and provides technical
support and training to First Nations in the treaty 6, 7 & 8 regions. TSAG is a notfor-profit First Nations organization. Its purpose is to assist Alberta First Nations
gain the proper tools and knowledge that will help to achieve and maintain high
standards in technology and services within the community.

They provide professional technical and advisory services for Alberta First Nations
to help build a future within the community. Through its programs and services,
their goal is to empower communities to gain the confidence and resources
needed for a healthy environment. They offer programs that focus on the
community as a whole as well as programs targeted at educating youth.
TSAG – Services

Asset Management

Circuit Rider Training Program

Environmental management

Fire Protection and Prevention

Housing

Information Technology

Youth Initiatives

Annual Conference

http://www.tsag.net/index.html
BC Technical Working Group Housing &
Infrastructure Evolution
BC Technical
Working Group
2005
Transformative
Change Accord
2008 FN Housing
and
Infrastructure
Memorandum of
Understanding
2008 MOU
Technical
Communications
Working Group
2016 National
Housing and
Infrastructure
Reform
BC Housing and Infrastructure Working
Groups
The Aboriginal
Capital Committee
The Aboriginal
Housing Committee
A BC Housing & Infrastructure Technical
Working Group
BC Technical Working Group functions
 Transition
from the 10 year plan in the BC
Housing MoU signed in 2008
 Liaise
with the National Plan and Chiefs
Committee on Housing and Infrastructure
 Develop
framework for the BC portion of
the FN Housing and Infrastructure Authority
Real Change
It’s been a long time coming
Real Change
In 1948 Jules Sioui, a First Nations leader from Quebec
called on government to give up control over Indian Affairs
“No decision about Indians without Indians”
Real Change
In 1965 Martin O’Connell wrote a paper for the Department
of Indian Affairs on housing on-reserves. He recommended:
“The establishment of modern self-government structures,
must go hand in hand with Indian participation in the
planning and execution of development policies and
programs, including housing.”
Real Change
In 1972 the National Indian Brotherhood Declaration on
Housing called for more control over housing:
“The housing and community building process is not Indian.
It does not spring from the Indian nor does it add to skills,
livelihood, cultural pride or identity.”
Real Change
In September 15, 2014, Kasabonika Lake First Nations
councillor, Mike Morris spoke to the Standing Senate
Committee on Aboriginal Peoples on housing conditions on
reserves:
“For me, and I’m sure other First Nations, we don’t want
to have to depend on the government… It’s time to meet
and sit down and build a new relationship because they are
imposing their legislation on us. I don’t know by what right
they do that.”
Real Change
In July 2016 Minister Carolyn Bennett, Indigenous and
Northern Affairs, told the CCoHI at the AFN national meeting
in Niagara Falls:
Think
 Think
 Think
 Think
 Think

big
outside the box
building your own housing institutions
replacing CMHC
maybe a First Nations CMHC
Real Change
The 2016 Public Policy Forum recommended:
“Explore the creation of a First Nations-led organization(s)
with responsibility for on-reserve housing.”
Real Change
In a paper Harold Calla wrote for this 2017 forum he said we
need to provide direction. We need to take the first steps.
We need to take the lead.




Lay out the objectives of a First Nations Housing
Authority in British Columbia
State how it will improve housing for First Nations people
Describe the new relationships between Canada, the
province, First Nations and the institution
Show how this initiative could replace the services and
resources offered by INAC and other government agencies
SHOW THE SOLUTIONS