Program

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Tuesday, November 29

  • 5:00 – 6:30 pm Opening Reception - Meet and Mingle with FNHPA Board of Directors

    Performance: Pow Wow Dancer Kelly Chinchilla & Indigenous Youth Hoop Dancer Rylee Sandberg

Wednesday, November 30

  • 7:15 am - 4:00 pm Registration
  • 8:00 - 9:00 am Networking Breakfast in the Exhibit Area
  • 9:00 – 10:00 am Opening Prayer / Greetings / Welcome

    Opening Prayer: Elder Andy Anderson, Pinaymootang First Nation
    Performance by Women's Warrior Circle
    Welcome by Conference Co-Chairs: Roxanne Harper, FNHP, Turtle Island Associates and FNHPA Board Member;
    Seetta Roccola, Technical Services Manager, Interlake Reserves Tribal Council and FNHPA Board Member.

  • 9:30 – 10:00 am Opening Plenary

    Keynote Speaker: National Chief RoseAnne Archibald, Assembly of First Nations (video)
    Platinum Sponsor Remarks: Pheroz Austin, Senior Regional Manager Indigenous Banking, TD Bank Group

  • 10:00 – 10:30 am Health Break in the Exhibit Area
  • 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Concurrent Workshops
  • Workshop 1 –  Effective Communication with Leadership 

    This workshop will provide a general overview of communication strategies, the importance of plans (community comprehensive plans, strategic plans, operational plans, etc), and engaging reporting. This workshop will address the following: 
    •        Strategies for effective communication with leadership 
    •        Effective reporting of financial information to leadership 
    •        Understanding the long-term impacts of short-term decisions 
    •        Operationalizing community plans and staying focused 
    This workshop will include presentation, discussion, and a case study activity. 
    Moderator: Tabitha Eneas, FNHP, Housing Administrator, Penticton Indian Band and FNHPA Board Member
    Speaker: Harmony Redsky, Owner and Principal, Roots and Rights Media and member of the Wasauksing First Nation

  • Workshop 2 – Framework for Maintenance Program Development 

    Maintenance management can be one of the biggest challenges for the housing manager. Whether it’s a lack of data to support informed decisions, budgetary restraints, or no process to follow. This workshop will provide information on establishing a basic maintenance plan and offer tools to support existing plans. Interaction with workshop participants will promote discussion on the importance of maintaining the houses you are responsible for and ensuring you have the tools in place for an effective maintenance program. 
    Moderator: Rosie Charles, FNHP, Housing Consultant, Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) and Vice Chair, FNHPA
    Speakers: Frank Bighead, Director of Housing and Technical Services, Prince Albert Grand Council  
    Clayton Bird, Housing Circuit Rider Trainer, Housing and Technical Services, Prince Albert Grand Council 
    David Cooper, Housing Inspector/ Building Official, Housing and Technical Services 

  • Workshop 3 – FNHPA Programs, Tools and Resources 

    FNHPA recognizes the value of First Nations housing professionals wanting to advance their careers through programs, tools, and resources. We are excited to discuss the variety of learning opportunities offered by FNHPA through workshops, webinars, and courses. We will also look at our “Knowledge Centre” and most recent publication: Supporting Successful Tenancy Toolbox, which has been developed to enhance continued learning. In addition, we will provide an overview of our Housing and Wellness program which promotes healthy homes and encourages youth to become housing champions through educational resources such as Keeper of My Home.  Through this interactive workshop participants will gain valuable insight into FNHPA’s various programs, tools, and resources for all ages. Participants will also have the opportunity to provide meaningful input to help shape future resources to support First Nations housing. 
    Moderator: Sarah McCabe, Education Manager, First Nations Housing Professionals Association 
    Speakers: Brooke Duggan, Housing and Wellness Program Coordinator, First Nations Housing Professionals Association 
    Christine Toulouse, Education Program Coordinator, First Nations Housing Professionals Association 

  • 12:00 – 1:15 pm Buffet Luncheon
  • 1:30 – 3:00 pm Concurrent Workshops
  • Workshop 4 – National Housing Strategy - Repair and Renovation Stream

    In 2017, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) launched Canada’s first National Housing Strategy (NHS) “A Place to Call Home”. The NHS is designed as a toolkit with complementary initiatives that work to address challenges across the housing continuum and help achieve the goal that “By 2030, everyone in Canada has a home that they can afford and that meets their needs.” CMHC provides funding and financing opportunities to create new affordable housing stock and to preserve existing affordable housing in communities. In this workshop, CMHC will provide an overview of options available to help preserve existing housing through repairs and renovations. We will learn from participants about the challenges they face while implementing repairs and about renovation programs and discuss funding and financing opportunities for on and off-reserve community and organizations initiatives.
    Moderator: Seetta Roccola, Technical Services Manager, Interlake Reserves Tribal Council and FNHPA Board Member
    Speakers: Christine Edward, Specialist – Client Solutions, Indigenous and Northern Housing Solutions, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
    Diane Saramaga, Specialist – Client Solutions, Indigenous and Northern Housing Solutions, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

  • Workshop 5 – Arrears Management (Repeated: This workshop is repeated at 10:30am on Thursday.) 

    Turtle Island Associates Inc has over 25 years of experience supporting First Nations with their approach to arrears management.  During this session the presenter will share advice and suggestions based on experiences gained working with First Nations who have a successful approach to managing housing arrears.  An overview of arrears management will be provided which will include defining what is meant by housing arrears and understanding how it can impact a First Nation. Suggestions will be provided on how to confirm and examine housing arrears and, how to address historical arrears while adopting a proactive approach to ongoing arrears management.  Emphasis will be placed on the importance of utilizing payment and collection policies that reflect community values while minimizing the financial impact on the community. 
    Moderator: Darlene Chevrier, FNHP, Director of Housing, Timiskaming First Nation and FNHPA Board Member
    Speaker: Roxanne Harper, FNHP, Turtle Island Associates and FNHPA Board Member  

  • Workshop 6 - Supporting Healthy Housing - A Joint Workshop with the First Nations Health Managers Association and First Nations Housing Professional Association

    In celebration of our recent partnership agreement, the FNHMA and FNHPA invite Housing Professionals to participate in a workshop to discuss how we can support housing professionals and health managers to work together and learn from one another. Safe and healthy housing plays a vital role in the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities. But far too often, because of funding structures, a stretched workforce and siloed colonial systems, housing and health departments in communities do not work together. FNHMA will share the challenges and the strengths of their health managers as they work to support the health of their communities so that housing professionals better understand the realities they face. Workshop participants will be asked to engage in dialogues to explore how health and housing could better work together, what knowledge gaps housing professionals face with respect to health, how housing professionals can support healthy housing, and what tools would support them in strengthening their understanding of the health landscape and building those relationships.
    Moderator: Candace Bennett
    , FNHP, Executive Director, First Nations Housing Professionals Association
    Speakers: Doris Bear, CFNHM, Health Manager, Peguis First Nation
    Marion Crowe, CFNHM, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Health Managers Association
    Guy Gosselin, CFNHM, Executive Director, Ginew Wellness Center

  • 3:00 – 3:30pm Health Break in the Exhibit Area
  • 3:30 – 4:45 pm Concurrent Workshops
  • Workshop 7 - Risk Management in Housing  

    Housing managers and professionals are engaged daily with tenants, maintenance workers, sale vendors, contractors for new construction projects and community members. As you transact with these parties, you will be exposing your housing department to a variety of risk. In fact, the risks for housing managers tend to grow as the number of homes or units that are managed grows. Therefore, housing managers face a wide variety of risks in their work and the key is to manage the risk and this factor is becoming a very important part of your job. Housing Managers must learn to identify where the risks are and how to take steps to manage them. The objectives of this workshop are to provide an overview on risk, how to analyze risk and what strategies can be used to manage these risks.
    Moderator: Tabitha Eneas, FNHP, Housing Administrator, Penticton Indian Band and FNHPA Board Member
    Speakers: John Kiedrowski, Project Manager, First Nations National Building Officers Association
    Claude Lawrenson, Consultant, First Nations National Building Officers Association 

  • Workshop 8 - Environmental Public Health Officers: How They Can Assist Housing Professional Towards the Goal of Healthy Homes 

    Environmental Public Health is the intersection of human health, the built environment, and the natural environment. A house is where people spend most of their time and overall health within the home can be affected by how the house is situated, constructed, and maintained. Further, healthy housing can be influenced by the activities carried in and around the home. A healthy home is one which supports the physical, mental, spiritual, and cultural wellbeing of individuals and family. This workshop will focus on how environmental public health conditions in homes can be prevented and managed through careful planning, operations, and maintenance, how Environmental Public Health Officers (EPHO) can bring value to community housing programs, and how to access EPHO services. Through interactive discussion, participants will be invited to share their experiences in how EPHOs have assisted with housing programs and to seek feedback on how Indigenous Services Canada, Environmental Public Health Services can be supportive of your roles in housing. 
    Moderator: Rosie Charles, FNHP, Housing Consultant, Prince Albert Grand Council and Vice Chair, FNHPA
    Speakers: Saad Jalili, Senior Environmental Public Health Officer, Manitoba Region, Indigenous Services Canada
    Blake Scott, Senior Environmental Public Health Officer, Environmental Public Health Services, Manitoba Region, Indigenous Services Canada

  • Workshop 9 - Barriers to Homeownership

    The First Nations Market Housing Fund (FNMHF) has been working with First Nation clients since 2008, promoting and encouraging more First Nation members to become homeowners. The organization recently completed a national survey of leaders, administrators, and homeowners to identify: ‘What are barriers to homeownership?’. This workshop will start by providing a brief background on FNMHF, followed by a presentation on the findings from the most recent survey. Next there will be a discussion on the projects that FNMHF has supported to build capacity of First Nations (so they can support homeownership programs). Following that, there will be a discussion on how the Fund is supporting Individual Members (so they are ready to become homeowners). Last, there will be a discussion on the changes at FNMHF and plans for the future.
    Moderator: Roxanne Harper, FNHP, Turtle Island Associates and FNHPA Board Member
    Speakers: Scott Flamand, Consultant, Flamand Management Services and Member of the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve
    Nancy Pine, Senior Projects Officer, First Nations Marketing Housing Fund
    Travis Seymour, Acting Executive Director, First Nations Marketing Housing Fund

  • 6:00 – 9:00 pm Buffet Dinner and Convocation and Recognition Ceremony

    Come celebrate the First Nations Housing Professionals and individuals who have completed courses at Victoria Island University, CÉGEP Garneau and at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology 
    Performance by Women's Warrior Circle

Thursday, December 1

  • 7:30 am - 10:00 am Registration
  • 8:00 - 9:00 am Networking Breakfast with Exhibitors and Artisans
  • 9:00 – 10:00 am Plenary – Understanding the True Cost of Housing 

    The presentation supports the benefits of a First Nation confirming the size, value and costs associated with their housing portfolio and examining operating costs and revenue to confirm the true cost of housing. The presenter will review an example of expenses and revenue for a rental unit and how recurring housing expenses are usually covered. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of using a shared approach to covering housing costs; one that is affordable and sustainable to both the tenant and the First Nation.  Suggestions will be offered on methods of communicating the importance of debt management and increasing the awareness and understanding of the true cost of housing to tenants, members and leadership.
    Speaker: Roxanne Harper, Turtle Island Associates and Director, First Nations Housing Professionals Association 

  • 10:00 – 10:30 am Health Break... Last chance to visit exhibitors and artisans!
  • 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Concurrent Workshops
  • Workshop 10 – Basics in Radon 

    With 3000 Canadians dying of radon induced lung cancer every year, something can be done to stop this preventable cancer from affecting lives. Participants will hear about “where, what and why” radon should be addressed and how this could save lives and they will learn how it can impact our lungs, and at worst, result in lung cancer.  Come hear the story of radon testing where, as part of their overall healthy housing initiatives, First Nations’ leadership in two northern Manitoba Communities designed a study to measure the concentration of radon gas in houses in partnership with the University of Manitoba and the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C–NRPP). Participants will learn about this project including Community engagement initiatives and knowledge sharing strategies.  Participants will also hear about the success story of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg reserve in Québec where in the spring of 2009, radon measurements were performed for 424 houses and how the Band Council handled the situation when 180 houses resulted in radon levels above the Canadian radon guideline! Come learn how they managed this situation by assembling radon mitigation teams from the KZA Community Services staff, all of whom received radon mitigation and hands-on training by experts in the field.  Come also learn about resources available for First Nations Communities! There are several programs to assist First Nations Communities with testing and mitigating their homes as well as building new homes with radon control measures.
    Moderator/Speaker: Pam Warkentin, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists 
    Speakers: Marcel Brascoupé, Project Manager, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Nation 
    Linda Larcombe, Associate Professor, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba 
    Chief Evan Yassie, Sayisi Dene First Nation

  • Workshop 11 - Norway House Cree Nation’s Innovative Housing Solutions

    The Norway House Cree Nation presents an innovative housing approach to First Nation’s housing setbacks. Speakers will present a modern way to expedite rapid housing initiatives for First Nations utilizing homes that incorporate answers to durability, mold, and fire situations that plague communities. A walkthrough of a forward-thinking modular home will be available, and speakers will offer a breakdown of the construction process that can improve housing initiatives for single families, multi families, women’s shelters, CFS transition homes and Elders homes.
    Moderator: Candace Bennett, FNHP, Executive Director, First Nations Health Professionals Association
    Speakers: Chief Larson Anderson, Norway House Cree Nation
    Trevor Thomas, Vice President Business Development, Bison Modular Homes
    Shane Prevost, Vice President, Bison Modular Homes

  • Workshop 12 – Arrears Management (Repeated: This workshop is repeated at 1:45pm on Wednesday) 

    Turtle Island Associates Inc has over 25 years of experience supporting First Nations with their approach to arrears management. During this session the presenter will share advice and suggestions based on experiences gained working with First Nations who have a successful approach to managing housing arrears. An overview of arrears management will be provided which will include defining what is meant by housing arrears and understanding how it can impact a First Nation. Suggestions will be provided on how to confirm and examine housing arrears and, how to address historical arrears while adopting a proactive approach to ongoing arrears management. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of utilizing payment and collection policies that reflect community values while minimizing the financial impact on the community.
    Moderator: Darlene Chevrier, FNHP, Director of Housing, Timiskaming First Nation and FNHPA Board Member
    Speaker: Roxanne Harper, FNHP, Turtle Island Associates and FNHPA Board Member

  • 12:00 – 1:15 pm Buffet Luncheon
  • 1:15 – 2:15 pm Closing Plenary - Building Partnerships; Building Healthy Communities

    The FNHMA and FNHPA signed a partnership agreement this June to celebrate and build on our shared vision for supporting capacity development for First Nations leaders. Where we live impacts our health and well-being. Our houses provide safety, comfort, and shelter. They are a place where we gather, share our cultures, our languages, our stories with our friends, our families, our Elders, our children. But we also know that improper and insecure housing can contribute to illness, mental health challenges and stresses. Through this partnership, we hope to build a network between health and housing leaders so that we can work together to build a healthier future and support one another in our work. The FNHMA has supported health managers through the Certified First Nations Health Managers Program for 12 years and the certification brings pride to those who achieve and is recognized by First Nations health leaders across turtle island. This keynote will reflect on what has been learned through the FNHMA’s growth and what can be achieved by working together.
    Keynote Speaker: Marion Crowe, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Health Managers Association

  • 2:15 – 2:45 pm Wrap-Up and Draws 

    Conference Co-Chairs: Roxanne Harper, Turtle Island Associates and Director, First Nations Housing Professionals Association 
    Seetta Roccola
    , Interlake Reserves Tribal Council and Director, First Nations Housing Professionals Association 

  • 2:45 pm Closing Prayer

    Elder Andy Anderson, Pinaymootang First Nation
    Performance by Women's Warrior Circle