Closing Comment

Our Phase 3 Engagement helped us set strategic policy directions in terms of our governance approach, the scope of housing and infrastructure programs and services to be transferred, new funding, and finance mechanisms, our relationships with urban housing, and how to create a new First Nations-based paradigm in the housing and infrastructure sectors.

Phase 3 input also drilled down into specific topics, setting the course for ways in which the Authority could support innovative service delivery. Our current system has stymied the collective First Nations voice and has not encouraged widespread participation in decision-making. We noticed a pent up desire in First Nations to be involved, not only to articulate the problems and challenges, but to offer real-life solutions based on frontline experience.

The task of building a new housing and infrastructure system in First Nations is a complicated and complex challenge. We have been operating in the current system for so long it has infiltrated every aspect of the sectors. There are many ideas and opinions, which sometimes overlap and conflict, even in this report. The FNHIC is committed to hearing those ideas and opinions and to incorporating them into the Authority’s design. From our ever-expanding understanding of First Nations housing and infrastructure and the multitude of participants we heard from in Phase 3 we received wholehearted confirmation that the FNHIC is moving in the right direction to build a First Nations housing and infrastructure Authority in order to transfer housing and infrastructure funding, programs, and services from the federal government.